University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

An Apartment in the Prime Minister's House.
SEYFERT. BURMAN at a Distance.
SEYFERT.
Revenge, thou art the deity I adore!—
From thy auspicious shrine I hope a cure
For the corroding pain that rends my heart.
The vain Alberti being thus preferr'd
By fair Constantia, passeth all enduring!
Colredo I have rouz'd—Another wooer—
And in his name are such reflections dropp'd,
As 'twixt the two a duel must provoke—
My purpose is, whoe'er the conqu'ror be,
To reap advantage for my private views.
If that Colredo triumph o'er Alberti,
I to his widow will renew my suit—
Or, if Alberti should dispatch Colredo,
I'll so possess th'imperial ear against him,
As that immediate sentence shall take place,
Death, or imprisonment in Idra's Cave;
Where he'll not deign to eke out life in toil,
But soon emancipate his soul for higher worlds—
Burman approach!—And this your task fulfil.
Since you have learn'd the place where they're to meet,
Range near the choicest of my men conceal'd,
To carry of the slain or hurt Colredo—
Around, place guards disguis'd to seize Alberti.
Such are the orders from above receiv'd—
The cogent reasons you shall know hereafter;
Be quick—be diligent—and hope to rise!—

BURMAN.
In this, as all things, I shall prove my zeal.

SEYFERT.
I know thou wilt, from long experienc'd truth.
[Exit Burman.
I have so plann'd I think I must succeed—
Unless capricious fortune war against me—
I'll to the Emperor—and prepare him for the event.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Rampart of Vienna near the Gate of the City.
Count ALBERTI and RODOLPHO.
ALBERTI.
No more, Rodolpho—Strive with efforts vain
To warp me from the purpose of my soul;
That's fix'd! unalterable! as the stamp of fate—

RODOLPHO.
But, Sir, consider with what danger's fraught
Thy desperate resolve, to act against
The imperial mandate of our gracious sovereign,
Who'll ne'er forgive thy disobedient rage.
'Tis friendship speaks, and reason backs my zeal.

ALBERTI.
I love thy friendship—but to reason's call
Am now reluctant; nor will hear her voice—
The die is thrown; and one or both must perish;
Thy friend, or fortune's minion in Colredo.—
Oh! 'tis an insult manhood cannot pardon;
No, none but such as wear its coward form
Void of all impulse from a noble heart.

RODOLPHO.
Yet, Sir, if what's the fountain of our honour
Call'd, and rever'd, doth specially forbid
Our farther process in attaints of glory,
And takes upon itself the event of all,
I mean the Emperor's supreme command;
Then sure no stain from dutiful submission
Can e'er arise—That from the charge of shame
Absolves—and reconciles us to ourselvs again.

ALBERTI.

RODOLPHO.
And such you still may prove—suppress this wrath,
And bind your sovereign more by mild complying;
'Twill win new favours, and defeat the malice
Of your combin'd, your secret foes—but chiefly
Seyfert's—than whom a darker villain never breath'd.

ALBERTI.
I know him well—great artist in deceiving,
Train'd up in all the subtleties of courts,
And policy's mean, cringing, base devices,
He can convert to a friendly smiling look
His Protean features on the man he hates;
Oh! that such monsters shou'd debase our kind!

RODOLPHO.
He'll be the first t'exaggerate the crime
Of thy transgressing monarchy's command,
Which he'll not fail with ev'ry art to paint
In the most odious, most offensive light,
T'obtain thy exile or inglorious punishment.

ALBERTI.
Yet he's the very engine of this quarrel
Started between Colredo and myself;
Through various hints by his low creatures dropp'd,
From th'ancient grudge that twixt our houses rag'd,
H' has hurried both from means of reconcilement;
At least on my side—blood must be the consequence—
Now is the hour I've dar'd him to a meeting,
His sword 'gainst mine to terminate the fray.

RODOLPHO.
(holding him)
Stop—and attend Rodolpho's last request!
Since pow'r's high mandate, or the voice of friendship,
Can't turn thy soul from its determin'd purpose
To fall or conquer, in this test of manhood—
Consider, Sir, if fate should adverse prove,
And rob the world of thy illustrious life,
What must th'affliction of Constantia be?
Constantia! foremost of Vienna's dames!
Constantia! woo'd by all our German princes!
Who to Alberti gave a preference;
That made him envied by the great and brave.
More wou'd I say—but anguish stops my words—
And stealing tears supply my want of speech!

ALBERTI.
Rodolpho!—hold!—appear not thus unman'd;
No heart more tender, and no arm more brave,
Than I have always known this man's to be!
The dangerous infection gains upon me—
I must defeat it e'er it be too late!—
Hear, and observe Alberti's strict command;
His last perhaps—And with it take this last
Embrace—Be not seen near the place of combat,
Lest in my peril you shou'd be involv'd.

RODOLPHO.
I care not for my life if thou shou'd'st fall,
But Constantia!—

ALBERTI.
Oh! that name distracts me!
And raises a new tempest in my soul!
If from my fate Constantia prove a widow,
(She'll be expos'd again to a siege of wooers
Whom she repuls'd thro' virtuous dislike)
And all her days in bitterness must pass—
Or, if I decline t'assert her innocence,
The sland'rous whisp'ring of Colredo's faction,
Will through Vienna, o'er the empire spread
With an implicit charge of cowardice.
Hell's in that thought—Constantia must reject me,
As a reproach to her too partial choice,
For one who dared not vindicate her name.—
Pride—glory, fame, ambition, love rise up
In mutinous array to urge me on.
[Rodolpho offers to speak.
'Tis now no time for thought, blow winds—drive storm,
What honor dictates, courage shall perform.
[Exit Alberti.

RODOLPHO.
(alone.)
How this unhappy man to ruin hastes!
Nor heeds the admonition of a friend!
Nor tend'rest passion for the best of wives!
Once disobedient to Alberti's order,
[Pausing.
I'll after, and, at distance, wait th'event—
If slain, his body will inter in private;
Or if victorious, aid him in his flight.
[Exit Rodolpho.

SCENE III.

A Square in the City, and Place of general Rendezvous.—
LORENZO and MENTZEL meeting.
LORENZO.
Mentzel well met, and at th'appointed place
For all my zealous messengers to come,
And bring report if brave Alberti's sword
Shall on this day another conquest gain;
Or in a bold encounter with Colredo,
Shall for the first time suffer a defeat.

MENTZEL.
'Twill be thought more than bold, rebellious deem'd,
To force Colredo 'gainst our sov'reign's mandate
To such forbidden act of violence—
Good Heav'n! that passion can so far prevail
On the all-polish'd temper of Alberti,
Thus obstinate to seek another's fall!—

LORENZO.
Alas! thou little know'st the grating cause
That irritates his soul to noble vengeance:
Had he declin'd, I, must wipe off the stain
Which vain Colredo cast upon us both.

MENTZEL.
In what, my Lord, or how? Your words amaze me,
Nor can I well interpret what they mean,
But just returned to Vienna's court,
From regimental duty that had call'd
To a far distant province—You'll excuse me,
An ignorance of most transactions here.

LORENZO.
I do most frankly—will succinctly tell
The origin of this dire altercation.
Between Colredo and the Count Alberti,
Men once in friendship link'd, and two the most
Of all our German officers renown'd
For courtly polish, and heroic prowess,
With other lords of court they woo'd my sister,
Constantia, reigning beauty of the time.
She to Alberti's vows alone prov'd kind,
And made a virtuous choice of him for husband;
For which she had my warm approving voice:
That stung Colredo's overbearing pride
To terms of most outrageous insult.

MENTZEL.
There's some excuse for disappointed love,
Whose rage oft hurries to unguarded words
That calm returning reason blushes for.

LORENZO.
Granted—in many cases—but not when
They tend to blast a noble house's fame
With such foul hints—as if Alberti had
Obtain'd a favour 'fore the marriage rites.
The which, I knowing, dar'd not to resent,
And act an honourable brother's part.

MENTZEL.
That's gross, and casts forgiveness at defiance;
Too plain I see that one or both must perish.

LORENZO.
I meant to first engage; Alberti stop'd,
And said, as husband, that the right was his.
But who hastes hither?—Anxious, out of breath?
One of my zealous emissaries—Say—
Did you soon find the place where they agreed
To meet? And know'st thou aught of what is pass'd?

MESSENGER.
Colredo, Sir, is fall'n.—Alberti triumphs.

LORENZO.
I ask no more—Come, Sir.—Be you our guide.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

An Apartment in ALBERTI's House.
CONSTANTIA.
Where is my husband?—Where is my Alberti?
What cause so early from his bed cou'd rouze,
And make him rush forth, with impatient speed?
Something I fear of dangerous intent
Hangs brooding o'er his mind—for all the night,
In broken slumbers, sighing did he pass,
With frequent invocation of my name.
“Constantia, frail. Colredo, thou art false.”
The repetition of those words alarm'd me,
And when awaken'd by returning morn,
I hop'd from him the unravelling to hear.—
But e'er my senses from the bonds of sleep
'Woke to the social offices of life,
Alberti was gone forth! What must I think?

Enter LAURA.
Madam, this letter did my master give
With strictest charge of laying it before you,
On your uprising, at whatever hour;
But not to hasten't—by imprudent zeal.

CONSTANTIA.
Ah me! I dread to take it from her hand!
My courage fails me to break ope the seal:
I pray you will, and read the dire contents!
For such, my throbbing breast anticipates.

LAURA
reads the Letter.
“Madam,
“Colredo has reflected on your honour,
“Your spotless innocence; your virgin fame
“His sland'rous tongue has wantonly revil'd.—
“This morn he answers for the base attempt,
“And shou'd his luckier stars prevail o'er mine,
“Act like thyself; thou wert Alberti's wife.”

CONSTANTIA.
(pausing.)
How cou'd he doubt?—Give me the letter, Laura—
The last perhaps I shall receive from him!
Why drops these woman's tears as I peruse it?
Come, let me place thee near this faithful heart
As the last will of an expiring hero!

[Puts the letter in her bosom.
Enter the SERVANT.
Madam, the Lord Rodolpho earnest waits—

CONSTANTIA.
Admit him.—
Welcome, Rodolpho! my Alberti's friend!
I have been told the purpose of the day.
Say, what's th'event?—Is't for, or makes against us?

RODOLPHO.
In part 'tis for, in part against us, Lady!

CONSTANTIA.
In part against!—Oh, does Alberti live?
If wounded! let me fly to his assistance.—

RODOLPHO.
My friend, your Lord, the courteous, brave Alberti
Soon made Colredo fall beneath his sword—
He straight was bleeding carried off the field
By Seyfert's creatures, screen'd around on purpose;
As were the guards, to seize upon Alberti
If he shou'd victor prove, the other slain;
And be for disobedience, and the crime
Of murder, t'Idra's dreary cave convey'd;
No ear for mercy left, to gain his pardon.
Your brother, and the nobles of his party
Are to the court repair'd, to try all means,
If not an absolute release to win,
At least some mitigation to obtain
From a fell sentence that is worse than death.
Thither I've promis'd all my friends to bring,
When I the tidings shou'd have borne to thee
Of what was pass'd, and meant yet to be done.

CONSTANTIA.
Haste thee, Rodolpho, with the speed of friendship.

RODOLPHO.
I fly on friendship's wing to save my friend.

CONSTANTIA.
Now duty calls that I assert myself,
And prove I'm worthy of Alberti's love!—
[After a pause.
I'll go and rouse up every virtuous wife,
Each noble matron, and each blooming maid
Within Vienna's walls; aloud make known
The wrong that's done them in Alberti's fall!
Shou'd supplication meet with disregard,
From the obdurate heart of worldly pow'r,
For intercession with th'almighty Being,
I'll make my last appeal to pitying saints:
Earth, air, and heav'n shall ring with my complaints.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

The Road from Vienna.
A Colonel, with subaltern Officers, and a Corps of Soldiers. ALBERTI in the Middle a Prisoner.
COLONEL.
Here do we halt, and my commission ends—
To me a most unwelcome one!—from us
You pass to th'common instruments of justice,
That the condemn'd to Idra's Cave convey.
[They appear at the side.
We all lament, great Sir, thy hapless fate!
Lo! ev'n the rabble weep for your disaster!

ALBERTI.
Next to a people's praise for deeds of glory,
Is to be wept for in the frowns of fortune.
Thanks; thanks to all:—who will be vain hereafter?—
[After a Pause.
That e'er Alberti shou'd be brought to this!
In chains! condemn'd to galling infamy!
He who has made the Austrian Eagle soar;
And clap triumphant wings on hostile tow'rs!
And taught their troops the art of victory!
Now all his laurels wither'd in their bloom
Beholds! (himself yet in the prime of life)
'Tis terrible!—but manhood bear me up!

COLONEL.
How moving, Sirs, in such a plight to see
The chief whom we've all gloried to obey.

ALBERTI.
Through what refinement of barbarity
Am I refus'd th'attendance of a friend
To see me to my melancholy gaol!—
And why refus'd a parting interview,
To give a last embrace to my Constantia!
Oh! there I suffer!—Every fibre shrinks!
My blood recoils! and all my spirits fail
At the dire thought of what she now must feel:
I hear her groans; they rend my tortur'd soul!

COLONEL.
Despair not, Sir! for, soon relenting pow'r
Will change its too severe decree, to mercy.
Some latent viper is the cause of all.

ALBERTI.
Despair's a word, a soldier ne'er shou'd know—
[pauses.
For honour's idol I have done too much;
Now let the Christian hero in me rise:
That in adversity still greater shews
Than midst th'applauding of victorious troops—
[kneels.
Divine example! how to suffer wrong!
And pardon those who injure us the most!
Stretch thy compassion to the fall'n Alberti.
Deign to support him in this heavy hour,
Let him not sink beneath calamity.
Since greatest empires perish at thy nod,
Let suff'ring mortals kiss affliction's rod:
In all resign'd to thee, my Saviour, and my God!