University of Virginia Library

SCENE XIII.

Enter Gernando.
Ger.
[not seeing Cons.]
While my friend
Leaves me alone to grief, here let me turn
And kiss this precious rock—
[sees Cons.
But ha! what would
Yon female form, and whence? What can this mean?

Cons.
[not seeing him.]
Perchance, Constantia, all thy toil is vain,
And what thou here hast wrought shall ne'er be known.

Ger.
Constantia! O, ye powers! my wife!

[embracing her.
Cons.
[turning, she knows him.]
Ah! traitor!
I can no more—

[falls in a swoon upon the rock.
Ger.
My life!—She hears me not!—
O Heaven! her senses fail—Some cooling stream—
Where shall I find—Not distant hence I view'd
A crystal rivulet—but must I leave
My treasure thus alone?—Yes, one short moment
Will bring me back impatient to her sight.

[Exit hastily.