 | The Captives |  |
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ACT V.
SCENE, an old Tower.Hidallan alone.
HIDALLAN.
Some evil star scowls o'er our battlements,
And menaces their downfall. Every eye
Is darken'd with dismay. Minla has caught it;
She flies Malvina's presence; and beneath
Yon mould'ring tower sighs her sad hours away.
Enter Minla.
MINLA.
Come, with thy vengeful terrors, conscience, come!
Wring with remorse her heart, who could adore
The minion of renown and murder him.
I merit every pang.
HIDALLAN.
Compose, my child;
Thy ruffled mind to peace.
MINLA.
No peace for me.
For Morven none. Into a wilderness
Of wretches I have turned this happy land.
Thousands shall rue the deed Minla has done;
And execrate the murdress! if my father
Saves not the innocent victim of her frenzy.
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How strangely rave thy thoughts!
MINLA.
I loved the prince!
Even to distraction Everallin loved.
And in a frantick start of jealousy,
His secret plan, entrusted to my hands,
To bear Malvina off, gave to the king;
Whose warrant lies upon his noble life.
HIDALLAN.
Unhappy child!
MINLA.
Oh, had my father seen him!
Mute and disconsolate, a prisoner bound,
He passed; his loose hair flowing from his helm
A gloomy guard behind.—
HIDALLAN.
The soldiers' hearts
Beat high for their loved general. His life's safe.
Would I could hope the life of Erragon
Half so secure.
MINLA.
Of Erragon?
HIDALLAN.
The Stranger,
Thou thought'st his murderer, is Erragon;
Malvina's husband.
MINLA.
Wretched, wretched Minla!
I've sinn'd beyond all pardon! ah, she comes!
Her anguish sinks my soul. I hope, to death!
[Exit.
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MALVINA.
Where's now my boasted courage? every wind
That blows, the voice of Connal's followers bears.
At my own voice I tremble. As I past
By the black umbrage of the rustling oaks,
Methought I heard a night-ghost shriek! and saw
Meteors of death shoot cross me! never more,
Living shall I behold my Erragon.
HIDALLAN.
Stay hapless lady! whither thus forlorn
And trembling fliest thou?
MALVINA.
Lead me, lead me to him!
Nay pause not; while I've sense and heart to follow,
Lead me to Erragon.
HIDALLAN.
Blest were Hidallan,
Could he obey Malvina. But alas,
Connal's intemperate passion has nor eyes,
Nor ears in its wild rage. If right I augur,
This evening sun may make a bloody set.
With patience wait th'event.
MALVINA.
Thy words that counsel
Patience, with tenfold agitation shake
My heart for Erragon. Even now perhaps
Cold in his bosom lies the cruel sword;
And can I patient wait? this moment go;
Or, as I am, defenceless and alone,
I'll to the prison; burst thro' every bar;
Kiss his pale lips, and die!—hah! who comes here?
Swallow me, earth! ye everlasting rocks,
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More terrible than death!
HIDALLAN.
Safe from surprise,
There screen thyself, within yon mould'ring arch.
[Exit Malvina.
Enter Connal and Guards.
CONNAL.
Spread wide th'alarm! and let the horn of battle
Sound louder yet, and louder. Strike the shield.
Light up the warning fire on Cona's top.
Here's my fixt station.—Hear'st thou not, old man,
The wild uproar? that calmly thus thou meet'st me,
While all's at wreck.
HIDALLAN.
My lord?
CONNAL.
A thousand swords,
Unsheathed at once, flame o'er the heath. Loud Carril
Raised on the mossy rock the battle's song;
And the deep sound of death is on his harp.
HIDALLAN.
Yet might Hidallan, at this fearful hour,
Presume—
CONNAL.
The rebel rout, confusion on them!
Have burst the gates, and turned forth Everallin!
Who now would bathe his hands in brother's blood.
HIDALLAN.
Ah, let not passion, with a whirlwind's rage,
Transport my royal lord.
CONNAL.
But I'll have vengeance!
—That wily sorceress too! 'tis she has witched him.
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And she shall feel my fury. To the soldier,
Who guards her Erragon, this signet shew;
Bid him, at sight on't, as his life is dear,
A poniard plunge into his heart.
Enter Malvina.
MALVINA.
Mine first!
Barbarian! plunge it first in mine!
CONNAL.
Malvina
Scaped from her guards! Hidallan, how is this?
By what confederacy? who lent her courage
For such a daring act?
MALVINA.
Despair! despair!
And frantic love! that towers above all danger.
Thus hurried me with headlong violence;
Thus lowly at thy feet, for her dear lord,
Prostrates the wretchedest of womankind!
CONNAL.
Plead to the rocks, proud scorner! they are not
More deaf to thee than Connal. Instantly
See Erragon dispatched.
MALVINA.
He shall not.
CONNAL.
How!
MALVINA.
He shall not, till thy bloody sword hews off
These trembling hands! I'll hold him—
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OFFICER.
They have stormed
The citadel; and Everallin's name
Rends all the air. The madding multitude
Call him their king.
CONNAL.
A brother's curse fall on him!
Unnatural traitor!
Enter another Officer.
SECOND OFFICER.
Everallin, sir—
CONNAL.
Have the guards seized him?
SECOND OFFICER.
Marching at the head
Of shouting thousands, he freed Erragon;
Who snatched a lance; and from the prison rushed
Like lightning to the war.
CONNAL.
With tenfold fury
My vengeance shall arrest him!—But, Malvina—
Perdition on the traitress! shall she 'scape?
—Mark me, thou hoary wretch! Guard well Malvina
Till my return.—Hark, hark! their shouts redouble—
Close let me find her kept; or, by the fire
That flames within my bosom, thy old age
From torture shall not save thee.
[Exit with Officers.
MALVINA.
Such a monster
The sun of heaven should darken to behold.
Thou heard'st his menace?
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Do not yet despair.
Whate'er Hidallan, even at life's last risk,
Can execute, Malvina may command.
In this extreme no moment must be lost.
What's thy resolve?
MALVINA.
To die!
HIDALLAN.
Hah!
MALVINA.
Die, Hidallan,
As I have lived, my Erragon's chaste wife!
Enter Erragon, with a broken lance.
ERRAGON.
Thou never could'st have failed at a worst time,
Vile weapon! still th'abhorred Connal lives
To perpetrate fresh crimes. He flies me still.
Villains are always cowards.
MALVINA.
'Tis himself!
The tyrant has not shed his precious blood!
Oh, we will part no more!
ERRAGON.
Malvina? Close,
Close to my heart! that throbs, even while I clasp thee,
With horrible misgivings. By what wonder,
Soul of thy Erragon! hast thou escaped?
MALVINA.
My spirits all come crowding to unfold—
But thus to meet!—the sudden, dear surprize,
O'ercomes my faultering powers.
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Securely here,
Lay every rude inquietude to rest.
In this one moment lose a thousand woes.
Soon o'er the tyrant shall my best-beloved
Triumphantly exult.—Hark! hark!
MALVINA.
Ah me!
ERRAGON.
That sounding horn proclaims him.
MALVINA.
Erragon,
Hear me! oh hear!
ERRAGON.
'Tis he!—Spirit of Loda!
New-nerve my arm! and you, ghosts of my fathers!
Who hover on your clouds at fate's black hour,
Bend, and behold your son! Behold him draw
Th'avenging sword of justice!
MALVINA.
Oh, if ever,
In the dear hour of love, Malvina's voice
Had power to stay thee, hold!
ERRAGON.
He towers along,
With fierce and frantic vaunts.—Turn, tyrant, turn!
'Tis Erragon, all terrible in wrongs,
That dares thee point to point.—He stops! he turns!
—Mock me not eyes! his guards, his guards fly from him!
Rout and confusion all!—In wild dismay,
Precipitate he comes—
MALVINA.
My heart dies in me!
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CONNAL.
Tenfold destruction seize them!—Oh shame, shame!
Betrayed—deserted—every sword flies forth
For Everallin!—At the traitor's nod
They would uncrown their king!—Hah, Erragon!
ERRAGON.
Monster of nature! yes.
CONNAL.
His curst accomplice!
Hateful as he.—The scorpion I would crush,
Here, in that minion's sight.
ERRAGON.
Thou bloodier villain
Than words can give thee forth!—But blows, not words,
Horrible wretch! shall answer.
MALVINA.
Hold, I charge you!
On the bare earth implore you!—Or sheath here
Your murderous swords!—Malvina is the cause!
Let me the victim bleed!
CONNAL.
There shield thyself,
Vile braggart!
ERRAGON.
On thy love, Malvina, hence!
As thou regard'st my honour!—
CONNAL.
Coward!
ERRAGON.
Coward?
Infernal villain! deep as to the lungs
Take back the lie.
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Distraction!
CONNAL.
Thus I take it.
—Hah! Everallin's horn!—But both! come both!
[A horn sounds.
ERRAGON.
No; not for worlds! I'll fight with thee alone.
Though even a brother's sword reeked with thy blood
My wrongs would still cry vengeance!—Here's thy fate!
This, tyrant! this devotes thee to the fiends!
[Exeunt fighting.
MALVINA.
Oh, horror beyond worlds!—speak!—comfort me!
Thou dost not speak! Hidallan, in thy eyes
There looks no comfort. Bear me to my husband!
HIDALLAN.
No; not for worlds, Malvina! From a scene,
That might appal the boldest, let my prayers,
My tears, restrain thee. Move not from this tower
Till from these lips thou hearst the voice of fate.
[Exit.
MALVINA.
Tremendous interval!—My lord! my love!
He hears not.—Will he ever hear me more?
Thou that goest forth to battle with the brave,
Dim phantom of the mountains! with thy shield,
And shadowy spear, turn wide the murderous sword
That menaces his life in whom I live.
—What sudden shout of horror! round the tower
The battle's darkness gathers!—stay I dare not.
Yet whither to escape?—Remorseless Connal!
Few be thy steps, and speedy to the grave!
[Exit.
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EVERALLIN.
This way went Erragon, burning in wrath,
To cross upon the king. Bard of the battle,
Follow with speediest step: say to the prince,
We here attend him—silence that loud horn:
Slaughter hath done its work. O'er heaps of dead,
And dying friends, the routed soldiers fly.
And tyranny, confounded with the shock,
Ne'er in these walls of freedom shall unfurl
Its crimson flag.—The fight's renewed!—they shout!
That general uproar is a nation's groan!
—At once a horrid silence!
Enter Hidallan.
EVERALLIN.
Hah! Hidallan!
Say, wherefore with that face of horror comes
My venerable friend?
HIDALLAN.
Forgive my tongue,
Whose dreadful tidings shall appal thy soul.
My royal master's dead.
EVERALLIN.
Dead!
HIDALLAN.
Erragon,
And Connal, both are dead. Furious they met;
They fought; and both together lifeless fell;
A mutual sacrifice to mortal ire.
EVERALLIN.
Oh, dire relation!
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The guards bear along
The royal corse, by crowds accompanied,
With sorrow and with consternation struck.
EVERALLIN.
No more, no more. From off the scene of blood
Slowly to Selma's hall, with silent step,
See, the mute soldiers follow. While, at distance,
With every solemn instrument of war,
The gray-haired bards attend; Carril, and Ryno,
Ullin, and all the mournful sons of song.
A blow of fate, like this, makes victory weep.
Nor with them ends the terrible dismay.
As great a pang our heart must feel for thee,
Most virtuous, most unfortunate Malvina!
Enter Minla.
MINLA.
Unfortunate indeed! only Malvina,
Much injured prince, could lift my eyes to thine.
Her sorrows only loose my tongue.
EVERALLIN.
Unfold,
Fast as thy grief will let thee, gentle maid,
What terrible disaster—
MINLA.
All at once,
Ere I beheld her near, with trembling hand
Eager she clasped my arm; then startingly,
Not knowing where, pressed on; of all enquiring,
Who, who hath seen my Erragon? when under
The branching oaks she met a breathless body,
Born by two men. She gazed, she shrieked, she fell,
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Ne'er to rise more. But who hath power to speak,
Or hear the story? There, alas! I left her
On the bare rivulet's bank: the ghastly head
Of her dead lord suspended on her knee.
No tear falls down her cheek; her eyes are fixed
In stedfast gaze upon his mangled body.
Speechless slie fits, and motionless as he,
And almost of a piece.
HIDALLAN.
The prince is moved.
His generous heart no longer can contain.
He turns, he wipes away the starting tear.
EVERALLIN.
Lead, Minla, to the melancholy scene.
[Exeunt.
SCENE, a grave by the river-side.
Malvina supports the dead body of Erragon, attended by Virgins.
VIRGIN.
Ah, look not, sigh not thus!—Can looks or sighs
Breathe vital warmth into his clay-cold breast?
Nor eye hath he to see, nor ear to hear
Thy unavailing woe. Or, if he had,
Ah, wherefore would'st thou vex his gentle ghost?
Enter Everallin, Hidallan, Minla, &c.
MINLA.
There, prince, behold what passes all report!
EVERALLIN.
Was ever sight so mournful!—In what words,
At this dread hour, shall I address thy woes,
Ill-fated fair! yet may thy sorrowing soul
Some melancholy consolation find!
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He died in the defence of a dear wife;
Admired and wept by all. Check then, sad mourner,
This violence of grief; and freely ask,
Best, and most worthy of the worthiest lord!
Whate'er my power can give.
HIDALLAN.
She hearkens not;
But, like some monumental image fixed,
Hangs pondering o'er the dead.—Ah, what a sigh!
EVERALLIN.
Nay, interrupt her not. That burst of grief
May more relief afford her, than our vain
Condolements all.
MALVINA.
This is a ghastly fight!
[Still looking at the body.
One hour ago, one little hour ago,
Fresh as an April morning he went forth
Gallant to battle.—Then he did not wear
These bloody marks of murder!
MINLA.
Hold, hold, heart!
MALVINA.
This manly face was not distorted then!—
HIDALLAN.
Some pitying power assist!
MALVINA.
Then his strained eyeballs
Started not from their spheres!—Look there! look there!
How clotted! how congealed!
EVERALLIN.
Nature must fail
In such conflicting transports.
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We were once;
Or was't illusion? Once, my Erragon,
We were the happiest pair love ever joined;
One heart, one mind.—Thy death has broke the charm,
And the short vision's vanished.—Hark! I heard
His gentle spirit call.—Rise, my loved lord!
Rise, and in pity take Malvina's soul!
Good Everallin shall in Selma see
Our rites performed, and all due honours done.
Yet happy, oh, thrice happy had we been,
Had Selma ne'er beheld us!—Foolish eyes!
What would ye weep for?—Safe the slumberer lays,
From the loud storms of fortune; and with this
[Takes his sword.
Points me to the same haven.—Lo, I come!
Thus, thus, exulting come!
[Stabs herself.
Oh faithful sword!
Lord of my love! I'm thine—in Connal's spite—
In cruel Connal's spite—for ever thine!
[Dies.
HIDALLAN.
Oh horror, horror!
EVERALLIN.
This surpasses all!
MINLA.
Cruel Malvina! thou hast killed thyself;
And ah, thy wretched Minla!
[She faints.
EVERALLIN.
Haste, assist!
She faints, poor maid! desirous, even in death,
To join her friend. These tributary drops,
Noblest of human kind! from Everallin
Take, and farewell!—And you, attendant shades!
Who, couched in clouds and whirlwinds, oft behold
Virtue, unsullied as the morning star,
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To the dark land of shadows lead along
This pair unparalleled. There (while our bards
Strike o'er their tomb the trembling lyres of woe),
Each heart-felt groan, mortality's hard lot,
To songs of joy triumphantly shall turn
'Mid kindred spirits of the great and good.
[Exeunt.
End of the Fifth Act.
| The Captives | |