University of Virginia Library

SCENE FOURTH.

THE PRINCESS, CORVINUS, CAMPESTRAN.
PRINCESS.
Campestran! holy man! do thou direct me.

CAMPESTRAN.
May heaven direct us for our good; and guide
Our erring minds to what is best. Your hands
I will consent to join. Thy unjust Oath,
And thy pledg'd faith, to Servia's brave Prince,
I own are obstacles against these nuptials.
But I so much abhor a human sacrifice,
And such, thou must be, to the faithless Mahomet,
That I dare urge thy marriage with Corvinus;
Rome's Pontiff will absolve thy breach of Oath;
Rash was the vow; unjust was its exaction.
Huniades has err'd through over zeal,
Which should have met rejection, not compliance.
(The Princess weeps much agitated.)
This deep distress is thy own act and deed.
The Council's sitting cannot be prolong'd;
Your Uncle loudly calls for its decision,
Which, well he knows, will be to yield you up.
To supererrogate has been thy fault,
This Oath no duty could require; thou, having
Thy free-will fetter'd, hast but choice of evil.
Choose;—wed this Turk; your life, your faith, endanger;
Or break your oath, and be this Hero's Bride.
(Campestran takes her hand, and gives it to Corvinus.)
Corvinus! she is yours. Lead to the altar.

PRINCESS.
(Retreating from Corvinus and withdrawing her hand.)
Lead to some altar where light never gleams;
Befitting oaths that sinfully are sworn.
This is no altar for our vows. Here Heaven,
With all its hosts of Angels, Saints, and Martyrs,
Witness'd my promise, “never to be thine.”
(Pointing to the altar.)
Should I approach yon awful shrine, that sword,
Some Angel's vengeful arm would raise to strike me,
For breaking thus my Oath to thy stern Father.

CAMPESTRAN,
(Going to the altar, takes down the magnificent Sword which hangs at the front of the altar, under the luminous cross.)
This Sword I had reserv'd for great Huniades;
Rome's holy Pontiff sent it forth to arm
Our Chief, in the Crusade, against curs'd Mahomet.
Now, champion of our cause, I hail Corvinus.

CORVINUS
(taking the sword).
The sacred pledge with reverence I receive,
And I will wield it with no common zeal;
Oh, may supernal power my arm invigorate,
And be our cause invincible, as holy!

CAMPESTRAN
(to the Princess).
Let us this altar quit, since it excites
Thy fears. My chapel, through the dormitory,
Is more retir'd. We might be here surpriz'd.
Speed to reward this hero with thy hand;
And from a lawless tyrant save thyself.
Hither return; nor sanctuary quit
Except with us. Here let the Council find thee.

PRINCESS.
Must I be left to meet my Uncle's rage?

CAMPESTRAN.
This altar, from his violence, protects thee;
Here then remain; and, when the dastard nobles
To yield thee come, declare thou art espous'd:
Acknowledge, if occasion call, to whom
Thy hand is given. War's various toils demand
Elsewhere our presence. Corvinus and myself
Must to the troops declare his happy fortune.
The soldiers love, they idolize Corvinus:
Their joy the echoing people soon will catch,
And make their own; they will applaud thy choice.

PRINCESS.
I dread the event; the people are against me.

CORVINUS.
Dismiss thy fears, the people still adore thee,
E'en whilst their terrour to desert thee leads them:
All will be well, I shall return triumphant
To guard my Princess, and my charming Bride.

(Campestran goes through the altar door by which he entered; Corvinus follows him leading the Princess.)