The Viceroy A Tragedy |
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SCENE XIII.
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 | The Viceroy |  |
SCENE XIII.
VELORA, CARASCO.CARASCO.
Vain is their hope: but if Velora's courage
Is equal to the task, I will instruct her
To baffle this base Viceroy, and preserve
The injured youth, who claims her fondest care.
VELORA.
Then speak! and trust me, that no forms of danger
Shall shake the firmness of Velora's soul.
CARASCO.
Blest be thy spirit, for it merits all
The fond profusion of Sylveyra's love!
I know your mutual hopes:—now let my friendship
Accelerate your marriage, marked by Heaven
The happiness of both, and, in this crisis,
Your sole protection from the crimes of Castro!
VELORA.
How may this be?
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By night I will secure
A faithful priest, who, in disguise shall lead you
Into Sylveyra's prison, and unite
Your willing hands—still from your father's weakness
Conceal the secret!—To the baffled Viceroy
Let your blest lord, with joyous pride, proclaim
That holy vows have made you his for ever!
The foiled oppressor will no more pursue
Your hallowed beauties, but renounce a treasure
Thus guarded from his grasp, nor to be purchased
But by the price of complicated crimes.
VELORA.
I yield me to thy friendly guidance—hark!
It was my father's voice: attend me to him,
And still support me with thy generous counsel!
CARASCO.
Yet keep this project secret in thy breast,
E'en from Constantia, for her fond affection
Would hesitate, and tell us of thy danger!
VELORA.
We'll not alarm the kindness of her nature,
And for myself, come danger as it may,
I have no fears:—Carasco, you beheld
The young Orissa perish in the bloom
Of widowed beauty: you beheld her march,
Fondly observant of our Indian rites,
Nor moved by the dissuasive cries of friendship,
Thrice round the pile, which held the hallowed corse
Of her departed lord; then far within
The leafy bower, whose arches crowned the pile,
Take her firm seat as on a throne of glory,
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Unshaken, kindled the consuming fire.
CARASCO.
It was a sight, that memory cannot lose.
VELORA.
You saw her with a smile of triumph, mock
The mounting blaze, which thro' her wasted frame
Shot thrilling agony, yet failed to force
One plaintive sigh from her superior soul:
Think of this scene, the subject of your wonder,
And know Velora's willing heart would bear
Those tortures twentyfold to save Sylveyra!
But to my father!
CARASCO.
Noble, fearless girl,
I worship thy warm heart; and by my sword
Will freely stake my safety for thy service.
| The Viceroy | |