University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—Frankfort—Time, Midnight—Conrad enters from the tavern, walks the street, dressed in dark clothes, with a masque on his face; and, with difficulty, finds Alonzo's house.
Conrad
with a paper in his hand.
This is a cunning deed—like all such deeds;
This very deed, perhaps, may save my life!
We cure diseases by revulsion—build
Up action in a part, by causing parts
To act.—This deed may be my warmest friend.
'Tis thus, through life, one deed blots out another,
As poisons neutralize by antidotes.
This is my aim. I've sought the clerk three times,
And still, I have not found him at his home.
'Twas my desire, when first I came, to have
This deed recorded—first, that it might hide
Suspicion, and be evidence for guilt—
Therefore, record a deed to do a deed!
A deed recorded, shall excuse a deed.—
And, if the crime of murder be found out—
As most of murders are—in spite of proof,
'Twill bring me out, by law, a guiltless man.
Now, if I had some friend to lure him out,
While I could strike the recreant dead—but, hark!
In such a deed, we could not find a friend.
Now, if the watchman find me out, this masque
Shall be thrown off—I may be thought a slave!
You see this hat—this very hat, I found
[Takes off his hat.
Two hundred miles away—beside a wood—
I took it—left one dollar in its place,
And said, old hat—thou art my humble friend!
For ought I know, this was a preacher's hat;
How long he may have fought against the devil,
And still, in his achievement, fail'd at last.
Now, when I put it off, should it be worn
Again—'twill only consecrate the head,
That 'neath this crown, may say—the devil's dead!
[Goes to a window and looks in—but does not find him.
Perhaps that is the place—and I mistake.
'Tis true—the sign—the sign—the doctor's sign!
[Looks up and reads the sign.
This is the place,—and I must change my name.

[Goes to the door and knocks. Puts his hand in his bosom. A female voice is heard within—the wife of Alonzo.
Angeline.
I would not venture out this time o'night—

[Conrad knocks.
Alonzo.
Who's there?

Con.
A friend.

Angeline
within.
I would not venture out, my love!

Alon.
Why, Angeline!—thy fears are woman's, love.

[Knocks again.
Alon.
Who is that?—speak out?

Con.
Darby—'tis thy friend!
He has some business with thee—'tis of weight!
Has sign'd a bond, and thou must seal the deed!

Alon.
What does he say?

Ang.
Indeed I do not know—you'd better see.

[Knocks again and looks round.
Alon.
Who can this be—so late at night?

[Opens the door and steps back.
Con.
Behold!
[Throws of his masque and takes him by the throat.
Look in my face, and call my name?

Alon.
Conrad!—Conrad! do not kill me, have mercy!

Con.
Where is my wife? now, villain! die—die—die!
[Stabs him.
Now, pray!—if thou can'st pray, now pray—now die!
Now, drink the wormwood which Eudora drank.

[Stamps him. Alonzo dies.
[Conrad rushes out and is seen no more. Angeline, Alonzo's wife, runs in the room, screams, and falls upon his breast.
Ang.
'Tis he—'tis he—Conrad has kill'd Alonzo!
Oh! my husband! my husband! thou art dead!
'Tis he—'tis he—the wretch has kill'd Alonzo!

[The doctor, Alonzo's brother, rushes in, crying, murder —murder! Watchmen and citizens rush in, crying, murder —murder! Alonzo's dead! Alonzo's dead!
Citizens.
Who, under God's heavens, could have done this deed?

Ang.
'Tis he—'tis he! Conrad has kill'd Alonzo!

Watch.
Who did it? speak! speak! Conrad kill'd Alonzo?

Ang.
Conrad—'twas Conrad, kill'd my husband! dead!
Oh! death—death—death! what will become of me!

Doctor.
Did you see his face? my God! I know 'twas he!

Ang.
I saw his face—I heard his voice—he's gone!
[Angeline feels his pulse, while the rest look round.
Oh! my husband—my husband—death—death!
Speak, Alonzo! speak to Angeline—death!
[Kisses him.
Oh! speak one word, and tell me who it was?
No pulse—my husband's dead!—he's gone!—he's gone!

[Faints away on his breast. The watchmen and citizens take her into an adjoining room, bearing her husband with her—asking, who could have killed him? Speak, Angeline —speak.—Curtain falls.