University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Gernando
alone, appearing fatigued.
Alas! my mind presag'd her fate too well.
Vain are my toils: in vain I seek and call
Her much-lov'd name: these eyes perceive not yet
The smallest track of her my soul adores.
But where's my friend? Perhaps more fortunate—
What ho! Henriques!—Let me seek him—Heaven's
I can no further—weariness and grief
Weigh down my strength—here on this friendly rock
I'll rest awhile and wait for his return—
[drawing near, sees the inscription.
What see I? European characters!
Almighty powers! behold my name inscrib'd!
Whence this inscription, from what hand unknown?
[reads.]
“Constantia, by Gernando's guile betray'd,
“Forsaken here, on this far-distant coast
“Clos'd the sad remnant of her wretched days.”
—O! Heavens! I faint—

[leans against the rock.