University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Before the Castle. Moonlight.
Enter Albert, wrapped in a Venetian cloak.
Albert.
I cannot be deceived!
I heard the voice of Agnes from the terrace
Call soft on Alferenzi! if he attends
The guilty bidding, ere the twilight gleams,
Or he or I must fall! now sullen night
Flings her star-spangled mantle o'er the globe,
And spirits hostile to the soul of man
Weave the dark web of mischief! bodings strange
Knock at my heart and make my pulses beat
As tho' the life-stream struggled with my fate. [A light appears in the tower.

That is Honoria's chamber; and she wakes
At this unusual hour; 'tis passing strange!
Hah! she approaches!

[Albert draws back.
Agnes comes forth from the castle.
Agnes.
Francisco is our friend;
Thus far kind fortune smiles upon our hopes!
How lovely is this silence! The faint breeze
Sleeps like an infant lull'd by its own song!
Scarcely three hours have wing'd their tardy flight,
Since from the watch-tow'r I distinctly marked
The pensive Alferenzi: on a bank
O'er-canopied by od'rous myrtle boughs,
With folded arms, like one not loving life,
Mournful he stood, inclining o'er the stream,
That seem'd to soothe him with its murm'ring sound. [She hears footsteps.

Now all the spirits of the night protect me!

[Exit.
Albert.
Oh! busy, cunning minister of ill!
Thou draw'st thy victim to that dizzy point
From whence my sword shall hurl him to destruction!
Come, sweet revenge, thou haggard imp of hell,
Come, let me riot in thy iron arms,
And glut my soul with luxury of hate!
Some one approaches—to my hiding place
Till I make sure of vengeance!

[Retires into the wood.
Enter Valmont, from behind the castle.
Valmont.
Ha! does the coward shun me?
Thus have I caught the thief in his own snare:
It must be Alferenzi, like a traitor,
Lurking in ambush, with a villain's hand,
To steal a father's treasure. Day's proud Lord
Soon as he decks his eastern car with fire,
Shall see the wily serpent writhe in death!
Thou God of retribution! Thou whose voice
Bids the pale caitiff dread the thunder's bolt,
Now shield my arm, and let it strike securely.

[Exit.
They fight in the wood.
Valmont re-enters, pale and aghast; one hand holds a drawn sword, the other is bleeding. Honoria opens a small door in the tower, and comes upon the battlements.
Honoria.
Agnes, oh! speak! is Alferenzi there! [A deep groan issues from the wood. Valmont starts.

Hark!
Do my startled senses yet deceive me,
Or did I hear a soul-departing groan
In yon dark tangled wood? Who passes there?
Speak, or the castle bell shall raise the country.
It must be some unwary traveller,
Benighted in this solitary gloom,
Waylaid and murder'd by conceal'd banditti!

Valmont
(fearfully.)
Be still, Honoria, 'tis thy father, child.
Send round a vassal to unbar the gate,
For I am faint with anguish.

Honoria.
Heav'ns! why that piercing tone of trembling fear?
I thought, ere now, that sleep had folded you
On the soft couch of safety and repose.
I will dispatch a vassal instantly
To give you entrance.

[Retires into the Tower.
Valmont.
Oh! thou blushing sword!
Thou instrument accurs'd, that gave away
My foul, sin-spotted soul, where shall I hide thee?

[The gate opens. Valmont enters.