 | The Law of Lombardy |  |
SCENE VI.
To her, LUCIO, his sword drawn.PRINCESS.
[Advancing.]
Your purpose, quickly?
LUCIO.
[Kneeling.]
Your deliverance, lady!
I owe a debt of boundless gratitude,
And thus in part wou'd pay it. Madam, fly!
The people all are yours, a chosen band,
Faithful, and brave, wait to conduct you hence:
This smiling moment seiz'd, may place you safe,
Beyond the dreadful fate that threatens you.
PRINCESS.
But not beyond the reach of foul disgrace,
The noble mind's worst fate—I know thee, Lucio!
And thank thy kind intention. Cou'd my flight
Restore my name to its original whiteness,
Make palpable his lie who slanders me,
I'd think thee thus commission'd from above,
And welcome life with transport.
LUCIO.
Do I wake!
When your good angel thus by me invites you,
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That rosy youth, that all commanding beauty,
To voluntary death?
PRINCESS.
Were it a pain,
Worse than the fear of cowards can conceive,
I wou'd abide it. Have I not endur'd
A greater horror, heard myself proclaim'd,
The thing I scorn to utter? Shall I live,
To bear about a disputable fame,
Scattering the eternal seeds of strife and war,
Over my country, for the privilege
To draw a little transitory breath,
And be consign'd to infamy, or honour,
But as the sword of conquest arbitrates?
LUCIO.
These are suggestions of your generous anger,
And not your reason—Oh, most honour'd lady!
Again behold me prostrate at your feet:
Thus, thus, by me the people supplicate.
[Kneels.
We have but one short moment left to save you;
Seize it, and live, live to be still rever'd
Your country's pride, her boast, her ornament.
PRINCESS.
I am not to be chang'd. But, Oh, my father!
The good old king, he wants a friend like thee.
ASCANIO.
[Without.]
Force down the bridge. Kill all who dare oppose.
They fly; stand fast—
PRINCESS.
He cuts my purpose short.
| The Law of Lombardy | |