 | The Princess of Parma |  |
21
Scene the Third
Princess of Parma Elvira GranvilParm.
My Lord I'd have You to suspend a while
Count Raymond's execution for some Reasons
Have made this temporary Respite needful.
Granvil
I thought how soon You would revoke this sentence
P. Parm.
You thought? I am not to hear your thought:
What if I bid You set him free?
Granvil
You must not.
P. Parm.
Must not? What means this insolence?
Gra.
Alass!
You but expose a weakness You should hide
Your cause is sold; my orders are from Alva,
The Regent now of Flanders and my master:
If yet You doubt, this night this welcome Night
Shall bring the Heroe to ca[**]ting Brussels,
His Power establish and determine thine.
Parm.
Why now you speak your heart without disguise;
Obscured no more by my opposing power,
Your soul breaks forth in Colour all its own.
Alas the many wretches that shall feel
Thy pityless resentments! Hapless Raymond!—
But think me not so tame; he shall not die.
I'll snatch at least one victim from your grasp
And, as in acts of mercy it commenc'd
So shall my Power expire.
Granvil
You are deceived
The Troops that guard him are of Alva's army,
Castilian Soldiers and defy surprise.
This night, this hour he falls; no he alone;
But Egmont's lofty head shall kiss the block
Pr. Parma
Hence from my sight, nor with this bold Intrusion
Dare to insult the sister of thy King.
But now so much You seem'd as [---] to endure
The Eye of Royalty, but shrunk before it:
22
This arrogance? Has your new Regent taught You?
He dare not do it: flushed with the foolish hope
Of Alva's vain support, You have forgot
Me and yourself; yourself the merest upstart
That ever fortune wantonly made great;
And me the daughter of the mightiest Monarch
That ever sway'd a Sceptre. Hence, nor dare
To touch the Lives of those whom I protect
As You respect your own.
Granvel
I know my duty
And shall fulfil it—Exit
| The Princess of Parma | |