University of Virginia Library

SCENE NINTH.

CORVINUS, HUNIADES, THE PRINCESS.
CORVINUS.
Agmunda! dear Agmunda! why this terrour?

PRINCESS
(raising herself, and looking round).
What voice is that?

HUNIADES
(keeping between the Princess and his Son).
There is no voice, Agmunda!
It is the Poison hurts thy mind.

CORVINUS.
Hah! Poison.

PRINCESS.
That voice! (looking.)
It has his form! I think it has.
Look you!

(Hides her face on Huniades.)
HUNIADES
(aside to his Son).
For Heaven's sake go!
(To the Princess.)
'Tis thy wild thoughts;
There's no one near the tent,—but thou and I.

PRINCESS.
No! I hope not—The vision comes to Me.
Thou canst not see it.
(Corvinus approaches.)
Thou shalt have a Grave.
Oh!

(She averts, with her hand, the approach of Corvinus, who takes her outstretched hand; she manifests, by the horrour of her looks, first turned to Huniades, then on Corvinus, that she knows how fatally she has been deceived by the account of his death: and, with a piercing groan, dies.
CORVINUS.
Alas! she faints!

HUNIADES.
My Son! that groan was death.

CORVINUS,
(Attempting to draw his sword, Huniades prevents him.)
Detain me not. Tell not the tale of horrour
That swells thy heart—and let this give me peace.

(Again attempts to draw his sword, Huniades prevents him.)
HUNIADES.
Hope not for peace through unpermitted means,
And dread—for thy particular self, Corvinus!
With wholesome fear, and stand in awe, that Heaven
Its Mercy veils, when the self-murderer pleads.
On my grey hairs avenge not thy distress.
The grave awaits me; bid me not go down to it
With added grief,—with fear,—with trembling agony,
That thy rash act, for ever, may divide us.
My Son!

(Clasps his arms about Corvinus.)
CORVINUS.
Oh! do not speak. I will not live.
(Huniades unclasps his arms, & retires a step from him.)
I have no use for life.

HUNIADES
(rather sternly).
A wounded Father,
Son! claims thy pious care. Thy life, and sword,
Thy injur'd Country, and thy King demand.
(In a softened voice.)
Agmunda's wrongs claim vengeance from my Son.
(Corvinus rouses; he kneels and takes hold of Agmunda's hand, as if he were swearing to avenge her wrongs.)
She lov'd thee well. (Corvinus rises.)
She lov'd thee for thy valour.
If like a coward, now thou fly'st the field
Of life, Agmunda will in Heaven know care.
Continue what she lov'd, a dauntless Hero,
Firm midst the dangers of terrific war,
Or the stern trials of domestic woe.
Joyless thyself, yet live for others bliss.
O, grant him, Heaven! the patience thou reward'st;
Preserve this comfort for my hour of death,
When I no longer fight my Country's cause,
To know, I leave her Champion in my Son.

(Leans on Corvinus.)