 | The Law of Lombardy |  |
SCENE II.
KING, PRINCESS, PALADORE, ATTENDANTS.KING.
You shall no more, Sophia, to the chase;
This morning's danger makes my blood run cold.
Had not thy well-sped lance, brave Paladore,
Pierc'd the huge boar that gor'd her foaming horse,
These eyes, now rais'd in thanks to heaven and thee,
Had wept her lifeless.
PALADORE.
Ever prais'd be Fortune,
That plac'd me near her! Since a common feat
That daily dies our weapons, thus ennobled
By blest conjunction with her precious safety,
I would not change for the best garland won
By Cæsar's conquering sword.
PRINCESS.
We are not nice
In dangers imminent to chuse the means
Of our deliverance; yet, believe me, Sir,
More than for life preserv'd, I thank the chance
That made you my preserver. Th' unwelcome hand
Rendering us service, like sharp frost in sunshine,
Chills the fresh blossom of our gratitude,
Which else uncheck'd would put forth all its sweetness.
7
I have much serious matter for your ear;
[To Paladore.
Our helms must be lac'd close, our swords new edg'd
'Gainst fiercer foes than these rude foresters,
That make us sport with peril.
PALADORE.
By my life!
My cruel heart beats high to give it welcome;
For Virtue's test is action.
KING.
Thus my paper:
(Brief its contents, but fearful) Burgundy,
Stung by refusal of my daughter's love,
Stirs up commotion 'gainst our kingdom's peace;
And soon the golden grain of Lombardy
Shall be trod down beneath the furious heel
Of peasants cas'd in iron.
PRINCESS.
Heaven avert it!
For sure 'twere better I had ne'er been born,
Than live the fatal cause why war's rude blast
Disturb'd the quiet of my father's age,
Which soft repose shou'd foster. The griev'd people
Will chide your gentleness, that did not bend
My heart to this obedience; and your virtue,
Seen thro' th'unwelcome colour of the event,
For reverence find upbraiding.
KING.
No, Sophia!
I would not violate the meanest right
Of my least subject, for the fear or promise
Of any issue. Is my child, my daughter,
(Sweet, duteous, amiable, born free and royal)
Less charter'd from oppression than a stranger?
A self-invited wooer here he sojourn'd,
To thrive as your approving gave him licence:
I fed him not with promise, you with hope,
8
What courtesy denied him.
PALADORE.
To his teeth
Hurl your defiance, King! 'tis proud to threaten,
But baseness to be aw'd by it. From my breast
I'd tear these hallow'd symbols, give this steel
To be a baby's play-thing, cou'd my heart,
Distrustful of the event, forbode one fear,
To cast black presage on a cause so noble.
KING.
Thou gem of Britain! Dear in my esteem
As wert thou native here, be Pavias' shield
Her pride, her pillar; yes, our hardy files,
Led on by thee, shall drive the boaster back,
To mourn at home his baffled preparations.
PALADORE.
Oh, wou'd the fortune of this glorious strife
Hung on my arm alone!
KING.
Our daughter's hand
Is destin'd for a prince who draws his blood
From the same source as mine, our kingdom's heir,
(Did not this sweet prevention stand between)
To bless Bireno with two matchless gifts,
Her beauty and a royal diadem.
PRINCESS.
Bireno, Sir!
KING.
Even he, I know his worth—
But is there poison in my kinsman's name?
It pales the healthful vermeil of your cheek,
Dims your bright eye, and viels your wonted smiles.
PRINCESS.
Alas! I cannot speak—
9
Why then, hereafter
Will better suit this subject. Sir, farewel!
We shall expect your aid to counsel with us,
What present mounds our wisdom, best may raise
'Gainst this loud torrent that at distance roars,
Ere it rush down to spread its ruin round us.
[Exit.
| The Law of Lombardy | |