University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The garden.
Enter the Countess and Sophera.
Soph.
(speaking as they enter).
And look, I pray, how sweet and fresh and fragrant
The dewy morning is. There, o'er our heads
The birds conven'd like busy gossips sit,
Trimming their speckled feathers. In the thick
And tufted herbage, with a humming noise
Stirs many a new-waked thing; among the grass
Beetles, and lady-birds, and lizards glide,
Showing their shining coats like tinted gold.

Countess.
Yes, all things, in a sunny morn like this,
That social being have and fellowship
With others of their kind, begin the day
Gladly and actively. Ah! how wakes he,
His day of lonesome silence to begin,
Who, of all social intercourse bereft,
On the cold earth hath pass'd the dismal night?
Cheerful domestic stir, nor crowing cock,
Nor greeting friend, nor fawning dog hath he
To give him his good-morrow.

Soph.
Nay, do not let your fancy brood on this.
Think not my lord, though he with Gomez parted
In a lone wood, will wander o'er the earth
In dreary solitude. In every country
Kind hearts are found to cheer the stranger's way.

Countess.
Heaven grant he meet with such!

Soph.
Then be not so cast down. Last night the air
Was still and pleasant; sweetly through the trees,
Which moved not, look'd the stars and crescent moon:
The night-bird's lengthen'd call with fitful lapse,
And the soft ceaseless sound of distant rills
Upon the list'ning ear came soothingly;
While the cool freshness of the air was mix'd
With rising odours from the flowery earth.
In such sweet summer nights, be well assured
The unhoused head sleeps soundest.

Countess.
The unhoused head! and Garcio's now is such!
I could not sleep; and, as I paced my chamber,
Alas! thought I, how long a term is night
To lonely watchers! e'en a summer's night.
And in the lengthen'd gloom of chill December—
Why dost thou move?

Soph.
There is a stranger coming.

Countess.
Perhaps it is some message from my lord.

Soph.
I rather fear it is Tortona's lord.

Countess.
I wish my gate had not been open'd to him.
Will he persist to press his presence on me?

Enter Tortona.
Tor.
Pardon me, madam, this too bold intrusion,
But hov'ring round your walls, like the poor moth
Circling the fatal flame, I needs must enter.
I was compell'd to do it. May I hope
I see you well as lovely, and inclined,
From the angelic sweetness of your nature,
To pardon me?

Countess.
You still preserve, my lord, I do perceive,
The bountiful profusion of a tongue
Well stored with courteous words.

Tor.
Nay, rather say,
A tongue that is of all expression beggar'd,
That can the inward sentiments declare
Which your angelic presence still inspires.
(Pointing to Sophera.)
This lady knows how deep, how true they are.
She did refuse, yet, ne'ertheless, I trust
She bore my secret message to your ear.

Soph.
'Twas well for you I did not, good my lord;
You had not else, I trow, found entrance here.

Countess.
It had, in truth, prevented this presumption.
A secret message, saidst thou, for the ear
Of Garcio's wife!

Tor.
And does the man who quits thee,—
Like a dull dolt such heavenly beauty quits,—
Deserve the name of husband? No, sweet Marg'ret;
Gloze not to me thy secret wrongs: I know,
Full well I know them; nor shall formal names
And senseless ties my ardent love repel.

[Catching hold of her hand.
Countess
(shaking him off).
Base and audacious fool! did not thy folly
Almost excuse thy crime, thou shouldst most dearly
Repent this insult. Thinkest thou my lord
Has left me unprotected?—Ho! Rovani!
Move with a quicker step. Enter Rovani, followed by Gonzalos.

(To Tortona, pointing to Rovani.)
Behold, my lord, the friend of absent Garcio,
And in his absence holder of this castle.
To his fair courtesy, as it is meet,
I now consign you with all due respect;
And so farewell.

[Exit, followed by Sophera.
Tor.
I might, indeed, have known that modern dames
An absent husband's substitute can find
Right speedily.

Rov.
(aside to Gonzalos).
Jealous of me, I hear.
It makes my soldier's plume more proudly wave
To think such fancies twitch him.
[Aloud to Tortona, advancing to meet him.
Noble marquis!
Proud of the lady's honourable charge.
That to my care entrusts a guest so valued,
Let me entreat you to partake within
Some slight refreshment. After such fatigue,
So early and so gallantly encounter'd,
(Two leagues at least upon an ambling steed
Your morning's hardships fairly may be reckon'd,)
You must require refreshment.

Tor.
Paltry coxcomb!

Rov.
Yes, paltry as a coxcomb. good my lord,
Compared to greater. Pardon a deficiency
Your presence has occasion'd, and permit
That I conduct you—

Tor.
Most contemptible!
Follow me not! My way from this curst place
I'll find without a guide.

Rov.
Then be it so.
If it so please you: and, farewell, my lord,
Until within these walls you shall again
Vouchsafe to honour us.

Tor.
Which may be, jeering minion, somewhat sooner
Than thou dost reckon for.

Rov.
Whene'er you will, we're ready to receive you.
[Exit Tortona.
He calls me minion: seest thou not, Gonzalos,
Which way suspicion leans? The fool is jealous,—
Jealous of me! Hath any one besides
Harbour'd such foolish fancies?

Gon.
No, by St. Francis! ne'er a soul besides
Hath such a thought conceived, or ever will.

Rov.
Thou'rt angry: dost thou think my thoughts are evil?

Gon.
No; evil thoughts thrive not within thy breast,
Valiant Rovani; this I know right well:
But vain ones there a fatt'ning culture find,
And reach a marv'llous growth.

Rov.
Well, do not chide: I will with scrupulous honour
Fulfil my trust; and do but wish my arms
The lady and this castle might defend
Against a worthier foe than that light braggart.

Gon.
But thou knowst well, or ought to know, Rovani,
A braggart may be brave. Faith! were it not
For some small grains of wit and honest worth
Which poor Tortona lacks, thyself and he
In natural temper'ment and spirit are
So nearly match'd, you might twin nestlings be
From the same shell.—Be not so rash, I pray!
Tortona is no coward; and his forces
Greater than thou in ruin'd walls like these
Canst prudently oppose: therefore be wise,
And send for timely aid, lest he surprise thee.

Rov.
I will be hang'd before another soldier
Shall be admitted here.

Gon.
See to it then.

Rov.
And so I will; it is not thy concern.

[Exit Gonzalos.
Rov.
(alone).
He, too, 'tis manifest, has some suspicion
That Marg'ret favours me.
[Muttering, and smiling to himself, then speaking aloud.
Ay, those same looks. Well, well, and if it be,
It touches not our honour.—Fair advice!
Call in some neighbouring leader of banditti
To share the honour of defending her!
I know his spite. Twin nestlings from the shell
With such a fool! I know his jealous spite.
I will be hang'd before another soldier
Shall cross the bridge or man our moated wall.

[Exit.