University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

—Court house in Frankfort, as before. Judge, lawyers, &c.
Darby
speaks.
May please this court—we, now, have evidence—
Enter Conrad and Eudora, guarded.
Now, they are here, the same in guilt and mind.
The unjust, for our just and buried friend!
His virtues live, although his heart is dead!
May all good angels guard him home to heaven.
Here is one witness, which the court shall hear.
Arnold! did you not bear a letter, sealed,
Some time ago, to Conrad's wife?

Arnold.
I did.

Darby.
Then tell the court and jury what was in it.

Arnold.
A bold acknowledgment he killed Alonzo!
His only effort was, to bribe me to an oath,
And, by such oath, forsworn, have Darby hung!

Darby.
Then, may please this court! the truth is told.
It needs no glitter—ornament is dross.
Then, render unto virtue what is due.
By all the ties of gratitude and care,
I dedicate him to your charge—the rope.

Con.
That, now, my fate is sealed, I could not think,
Were I not crushed beneath such sinful men!
And this, the last, of such olympic oaths,
The greatest—worst of all—oh, man! frail man!
When thou art base—thou art, of all, most vile!—
There stands my wife, whom I have made my heaven!
Which no man can pollute, however false!
A woman lovely,—loving in the extreme—
Until, insult is on her honour thrown!
From that bright bush, he pluck'd the sweetest rose
That ever bloom'd!—whose virtuous sweets he stole,
Then spurn'd!—because she had no more to steal!
They knew, her virtue was a heaven of love!
A sanctuary, holy,—perfect,—pure!
And, if I die, I die by hands, most foul!
And, not from proof—for they have none—not one!
Then, swear!—as I have liv'd, so let me die!
That, in my death! my soul shall love but one—
That only one, for whom I'd live or die!
You have been auditors to deeds most foul!
They knew Eudora's joy was mine—'twas life!
They knew the prize was worth ten thousand deaths!
And if I die,—my death shall be for love!

Darby.
The jury will retire—here is the writ.
[Hands it.
You know what facts are stated!—then, 'tis death!
Judge to the Jury.
You all have consciences enswayed by hate—
Weigh not the truth in scales of prejudice;
Nor cloud it, when it would, convincing, shine.
If what you've heard possess your minds with guilt,
Then he must die, as surely as he lives.
And now, I charge you, by the worth of souls,
When you retire, be reconcil'd as one.

[The jury retire, and bring in the verdict death.
Judge.
Then Conrad! it behooves me, as thy judge,
To say, thou art condemned, and have to die!—
May heavenly angels guard thee to thy home!

Eudora.
Hast thou no voice to speak the same to me?
Shall Conrad die! and I, his being, live?
I once had tears,—I have no sorrows now!—
This lord of my soul's heritage must die?
Why! if my heart be his, both die in one!
The body ye may kill, but not the soul!—
How has this man become the slave of men?
Because he could not brook that sore disgrace!
Why was this valley maid the scorn of maids?
Because that buried villain stole her virtue!
He smiled amidst the cold disdain of men—
Opened his bosom,—laid me down his heart,
And caged my soul there,—where I lov'd to live;
Then, let us die united—death is sweet!—
[Embraces him.
Then go—farewell! thy wrath on me is done!
[Weeps.
Oh! let me go—without him life is death!

[To the Judge.
Judge.
Yes, ladye! you can go, if 'tis your wish.

Eud.
I swear this heart shall not survive his death!

[Officer guards him out to prison.