University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Almida, Arnolph, Sophia, Aldamon, Loredan. Knights, &c.
LOREDAN.
Most mournful news I bear! onward they bring
The gen'rous Tancred pierc'd with manly wounds!
He dies a hero! his fast streaming blood,
Shed for his country, we have stopt awhile.
Life flies apace—but his departing spirit
Hovering a moment on the brink of fate
Calls on Almida, and awaits her sight.
Tears fill each eye—and I with deep regret—

[while he speaks, Tancred is brought slowly in wounded, and supported. Almida breaks from the arms of Sophia, where she leant desponding, and turning wildly to Loredan she says.
ALMIDA.
Hence thou barbarian with thy odious pity!
[then flies and kneels by Tancred.
Tancred! too cruel, and too tender Tancred!
Canst thou yet hear me? can alas those eyes,
Obscur'd by death, behold thy lost Almida?
Oh speak! ah know me desolate of heart!
Admit thy spouse—admit her in thy tomb!
Give me that promis'd hand—look on me, Tancred!
Is then that glance thy last, and dost thou hate me?

[he looks tenderly at her.
TANCRED.
[raising himself, then falling back.]
Thou hast betray'd me!

ALMIDA.
I betray thee, Tancred!

ARNOLPH.
No, thou'rt deceiv'd—We all have been deceiv'd—
Almida was condemn'd for loving thee!
Our laws—our knights—
All—all have err'd—and she alone was just!
That fatal writing which inspir'd our vengeance
Was meant to thee, and by a sad mistake—

TANCRED.
[raising himself with pain.]
Almida! heav'n! thou lov'st me?

ALMIDA.
Ah, had I ceas'd one moment to adore thee,
I had indeed deserv'd the pangs that rend me!

TANCRED.
To know thee true and tender, is such bliss,
It almost softens—yet emboldens death!
But I deserve it—I who could suspect thee!
I loath'd my life—I lose it, awful heaven!
When one blest word has made it worth my care!

ALMIDA.
Is there no mercy, gods! and is it now,
Now only I can speak my soul to Tancred!

TANCRED.
Thy tears should soothe my bitter pangs, Almida,
But we must part—Death now indeed is dreadful!
Its ice creeps thro' my veins—O Arnolph! Father!
And thou lov'd victim to my sad suspicion,
Join thy dear hand to mine—tho' cold and bloody!

[Arnolph joins their hands, weeping.
ARNOLPH.
Look on us, heaven! yet grant—

TANCRED.
Ah, 'tis too late!
I've liv'd to 'venge my country and my wife,
And now—Almida!

ALMIDA.
Speak!

TANCRED.
Follow not
A wretched lover—Swear that thou wilt live!
What darkness hides thee? Gracious gods—

[dies.
CATANIO.
He dies!
And our pain'd hearts too late have known—

ALMIDA.
He dies!
[Almida sinks near the body, then rises and walks in wild disorder on the stage.
Ha! do you weep, inhuman cruel tyrants?
Would earth this moment open to ingulph us!
Myself, and you, and this detested country,
Your barbarous senate, with its horrid arts
Of murd'ring virtue with the shew of justice!
Pour down your lightning, gods! that I may feast
My dying eyes with Syracuse in flames!
View all your bodies bleeding in the dust!
[falls by Tancred, starts up again.
Cold—Cold, and breathless! ha! these tyrants live!
They live, and Tancred dies—But hark he calls—
Calls his Almida—Yes, I hear his voice—
I come, I come—in night's eternal shade,
For ever join'd, where tyrants cannot reach us!
I go—may furies howling rise to haunt ye!

[falls on Sophia.
ARNOLPH.
Ye pow'rs! who shed soft pity on the wretched,
Calm her disorder'd soul! Almida! Daughter!

ALMIDA.
[Wildly, and pushing him from her.]
Away—Stand off—I never had a father!
Fathers are kind, and gentle to their children,
But you was stern, these barbarous men's accomplice!
Alas! forgive a wretched dying daughter—
My senses all are lost—my wand'ring head!
A moment yet, blest spirit! and I come!
Tancred, I'm thine! assist me—Oh!

[falls.
ARNOLPH.
—She sinks,
And I am left to drain misfortune's cup.
Shed down thy mercy, heav'n—Save thy servant,
On the grave's brink, from madness and despair!
Restore my child—O let her opening eyes
Bless me once more, ere mine are clos'd for ever!
See, mortals see, what ruin is brought on
By our too violent tho' virtuous passions!