University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

An unfrequented spot nigh the Castle. Dark night.
Rimuni, Altorf.
Alt.
My lord! here linger not: your doom is fix'd.
Now, as the secret senate clos'd, I met
Count Olbert. Speed, I pray, your instant flight,
And underneath the night's propitious gloom
Haste from the isle. The royal word has doom'd you
To hopeless exile.

Rim.
Not behold me!

Alt.
Never—
The Empress is inexorable.

Rim.
Ha!

Alt.
An oath, a sacred vow has bound her soul
To drive you from her presence. Here delay not—
Ere the strong hand of pow'r arrest your flight,
Speed, quit the isle. Siberia's wilds await you
If but another sun behold you here.
Naritzin is restored to all his honours,
And with the charge of Ivan, added proofs
Of royal favour court him.

Rim.
Court Naritzin!
Then farewell hope! I charge thee, faithful friend,
Let it be widely rumor'd that Rimuni
Fled suddenly the isle. Farewell! [Altorf goes.]
Naritzin!
Thou first in favour!—Bind by oath her soul
To banish me for ever! Wayward woman!
I will not crouch beneath the foot that spurns me.
What then remains? Insatiate thoughts that prompt
Stern deeds, and the unyielding spirit of vengeance
That lays the oppressor low. 'Tis known to all
That Mirovitz o'er Ivan holds the night-watch:
Add too—so will'd the usurper—the whole isle
Reels, surfeited with wine and revel feasting—
By heav'n! it must succeed, if Mirovitz—
And well I know his nature—aid my purpose.
At the north rampart I will cross his round—
Ivan shall reign, and this ingrate usurper
Kneel slave-like at his footstool.

[Exit.
Scene, the North Ramparts.
Mirovitz and Feodor enter.
Feo.
The midnight hour is past. Say, Mirovitz,
Are all prepar'd?

Mir.
At one, we rescue Ivan.
Success must crown the attempt. All now concurs,
The guard, the day's late revels, this dark night.
Look! how the dull moon labours in her course:
Those vapours, streak'd with ruddy gleams, portend
The gathering of the winds: and yon bleak clouds
That thicken in the south, will quickly waft us
To the lone isle; and say, what eye can note us?
E'en those whose restless lids, unseal'd by slumber
Ope at this hour, are all o'er-charg'd with fumes
Of wine and riotous feast.

Feo.
But how deceive
Naritzin's search? His unremitting zeal
Visits throughout the fort, from cell to cell,
The nightly watch.

Mir.
His unremitting zeal!
How fruitless! All, e'en to suspicion's eye,
Shall seem secure. The hour, the occasion urge:
These now neglected, say, what hope hereafter?
All now is fix'd, and years on years may pass
Ere men so leagu'd here meet. It must succeed—
At the high altar I have bound their souls
To free their king.
Rimuni enters.
Ha! at this hour, what spy
Here basely lurks? Thy name, thy purpose, speak!

Rim.
Rimuni—Vengeance—

Mir.
'Tis confirm'd, I know it—
That thou art, like myself, a man disgrac'd:
The sunshine, whose meridian blaze illum'd thee,
Is suddenly obscur'd—

Rim.
For ever set.
Yet not the less, e'en in the senate lurk
Men to my will devote: brave men who scorn
The weak usurper; lords of might and pow'r
To 'stablish on the empire of his sires
The sovereign of thy choice.

Mir.
My choice! Who?

Rim.
Ivan.
Elizabeth is hateful to thy soul:
Take my pledg'd hand. Perish Elizabeth!
This night you hold o'er Ivan watch: this night
The isle is all dissolv'd in revel feasting.
Who, save Naritzin, can control our course?
Command this weapon. I have basely wrong'd thee;
Yet—if the galling yoke of dire oppression,
The bond of common suffering can unite
Brave men who brook not wrong, lo one whose hand
Fears not to execute the boldest deed
Thy spirit dares conceive.

Miro.
The proof awaits thee.
Thou at my side attend; be bold, be faithful:
If faithless—lo thy doom. [drawing a dagger.]
Go, Feodor,
Speed to the eastern turret: at the stroke
Of one—be vigilant—the beacon raise:
Wave it distinctly thrice. At the third signal
We rush to Ivan's cell, and force our entrance,
If aught our way oppose.

Feo.
I shall not fail—
Farewell.

[Feodor goes.
Miro.
Speed, hour of vengeance! if we fail,
Better to perish boldly, than contemn'd,
Live unaveng'd. Success or death awaits us.

[Exeunt.
Scene, Petrowna's Apartment.
Petrowna.
Pet.
'Tis horrible! premeditated murder!
Fell fiend, to lodge thy poison in my heart,
To force on me the secret, that Naritzin
Has bound his soul, by solemn oath confirm'd it,
To slay the innocent Ivan! How prevent it?
Thy wrongs, oh Ivan! fill the realm with horror:
And each new day, each hour in rapid flight,
Engenders new revolts. Oh heav'n! I view
Him whom I lov'd, rever'd, ador'd, a murderer,
Spotted with innocent blood. Relentless demon,
To link Naritzin to thy fell design!
Our bond of love was interchange of souls,
Each in the other center'd: how, how live
In uncommunicating wretchedness!
Hark! 'tis the tow'r's loud chime, [the chime heard.]
'twixt twelve and one.
'Tis past his wonted hour. Why stays Naritzin?
Some unforeseen event—perchance—some tumult!
Merciful heav'n! Ho!

[Calling the Guard.
Guard.
Did I hear thy call?

Pet.
Say, is thy lord return'd?

Guard.
No foot this night
Has past the gate.

Pet.
Let Albert now go forth,
And bid him speed, I charge you, and observe
If all is peace and quiet. Bid him speed,
And bring swift tidings of thy lord's approach.
[Guard goes.
Naritzin shuns my presence, and avoids,
Bleak tho' the storm, and late th'ungenial hour,
This sheltering roof. His painful charge, as wont,
Urg'd him to visit in their cells, ere midnight,
Th'entrusted prisoners. Has he look'd on Ivan?
And told the victim that Petrowna's husband
Is doom'd to shed his blood.
Galvez enters.
Galvez! most welcome,
Where is thy lord?

Gal.
But now we cross'd the draw-bridge:
I saw him slowly passing towards the castle.

Pet.
How! underneath this roof, and still avoid me?
Say, was all peace and quiet on your round?
No sight, no sound unwonted?

Gal.
All, methought,
Seem'd tranquil—but—

[A footstep heard.
Pet.
I hear his footstep. Hence.
[Galvez goes.
How solemn his approach!

Naritzin enters, and lays down his sword and dagger.
Narit.
Thou here! oh heav'n!

Pet.
Late is the hour of thy return, and bleak
The gales of night sweep round the battlements
That crest the fort. You are o'er-tir'd, I fear:
The chill breeze, and the night storm's ceaseless fury,
Have sorely harass'd thee.

Narit.
I reck'd them not:
'Tis not the outward storm—'tis here—'tis here.

Pet.
Come to thy rest.

Nar.
Thou too, at this late hour?
Why art thou absent from thy peaceful chamber?
I did not look to find thee waking, love,
Or I ere now had urg'd my homeward step.
I pray thee to thy chamber.

Pet.
But—thou seem'st
By misery opprest. I dread to ask thee—
Yet—I beseech thee. In thy nightly round—

Nar.
Wherefore this silence?

Pet.
Say, was all secure?

Narit.
All seem'd secure.

Pet.
But—was there aught? Oh tell me?

Narit.
As I drew near the fort that guards the prisoners,
Methought I heard the whisper of a voice,
In utterance like Rimuni's. But—in vain
I search'd each spot—'twas idle fancy—

Pet.
Whispers!
And—utterance like Rimuni's! heav'n forefend!
Yet—for it closely presses on my soul,
Tell me, Naritzin, when your search explor'd
The prisoners dungeons, did you look on Ivan?
Fain would I know, after this day of trouble,
If calm his sleep.

Narit.
I left his cell unsearch'd.
I could not interrupt poor Ivan's slumber.
The innocent may sleep.

Pet.
Since last we parted,
Hast thou of aught held conference with him?

Narit.
No.

Pet.
[in transport.]
Then Ivan knows it not.

Narit.
Not know it? what?
What words have 'scap'd thy lips? unfold their meaning?

Pet.
How! said I aught? oh heed it not! the tongue
At times will murmur words devoid of sense.

Narit.
Give me, I pray, strict answer. Did the Empress—

Pet.
[confused.]
The Empress!

Narit.
Why thus troubled? did the Empress
Disclose—

Pet.
Oh peace! spare, spare me yet awhile.
My spirit is within me bow'd and broken—
My husband! we will talk of this hereafter.
Oh! let us taste the blessing of repose,
And to kind angels reconcile our thoughts,
Ere deeper woe assail us. Do not linger:
Sleep will not on my eye-lid shed its balm,
While thou art absent.

[Petrowna goes.
Narit.
Never on my lid
Shall slumber shed the blessing of repose.
'Tis as I fear'd, the Empress has betray'd
The fatal secret. Underneath the veil
Of tempting words, e'en in Petrowna's smile,
I noted the sharp pang that rack'd her soul.
I am her bane and horror. Thro' the day
Her eye will wither mine with frozen look,
And in her dreams, her night-shriek will denounce
Vengeance on Ivan's murderer. Of his crown
I reft the innocent child: I now am doom'd
With this infernal gift, to pierce his heart—
So, guilt engenders guilt, till, ripe for vengeance
On the offender's brow, eternal justice
Heaps retribution. Judge of heav'n and earth,
Now ere this blade drops blood, in mercy strike me!
Galvez hastily enters.
Whence this intrusion? say—

Gal.
My lord, a soldier
Seeks instant entrance.

Narit.
Hither quickly lead him.
Galvez and Ortosk enter.
Say, at this hour why seek me here?

Ort.
My lord!
As on my watch I duly went my round,
About the noon of day, I chanc'd to spy
A boat beneath the fort, and on the shore
An old man, and two youths, in guise, it seem'd,
Of fishermen, who on the Neva earn
Their bread by daily toil: as I approach'd
(Awhile unseen) I heard their busy tongues:
Words indistinct, save that I plainly noted
Their conference was of Ivan.

Narit.
Oh beware!
Mislead me not! Of Ivan! Ivan's woe,
Ivan's sad tale is rife on every tongue.

Ort.
But there was further meaning in their words
Than idle pity, or I mainly err.
I warn'd them from that spot, and on I past
So thought they, to my round: but close I watch'd them.
Their skiff is moor'd, in secret, underneath
The birch, whose hoar boughs overhang the flood:
And, my day-duty done, I there observ'd them
Watching the flight of the clouds, as men prepar'd
Ere long to hoist the sail.

Narit.
Speed, trusty Galvez!
My sword—that dagger! Take thy weapons with thee.
Soldier! attend us.
Petrowna! 'tis for thee my bosom bleeds.
Oh be deep slumber on her! Speed we forth
To Ivan's cell.

[They go.
Pet.
[behind the scenes.]
Wherefore this long delay?
Petrowna enters.
It tortures me. My lord Naritzin? Gone.
What ho! Who guards the portal?
Soldier enters.
Where is thy lord?

Sol
But now he past the gate.

Pet.
Alone?

Sol.
No, Galvez with him. Swift they sped:
With them a soldier of the fort—

Pet.
Lead on:
To Ivan's cell. In thy good guard I trust.

[They go.
Scene changes to the outside of Ivan's cell.
A gloomy vault feebly lighted.
Naritzin, Galvez, Ortosk, enter.
Narit.
Soldier! on yon commanding bastion take
Thy stand: that eminence o'erlooks the fortress:
Note carefelly if aught unwonted strike
Thy wary eye: and give me timely warning.
[Stations him on the outside of the scene.
I charge you, on your life, keep strictest watch.
Galvez, there take thy stand: [Stations Galvez on the opposite side.]
and, at my summons
Speed quickly hither.—Not a sound—no motion—
Oh that the roar of winds, the crash of thunder
Peal'd thro' these noiseless vaults! so might they silence
These audible throbs, this tempest in my heart!
There, Ivan! there thou slumber'st, [approaching the cell.]
in yon dungeon.
Now, when I visited the prisoners' cells,
Each, one by one, tho' there my main charge lay,
I could not break on Ivan's hour of rest.
Thrice I drew near the cell, with full intent
To warn him of my vow: My heart recoil'd
Yet all must be reveal'd, or worse ensues.
[He listens at the door of the cell.
Soft; 'tis his hour of slumber. Why that sound?
What do I hear? His deep groan strikes my ear:
And now a quick and agitated step
Rings on the echoing flints. Belov'd Petrowna!
All hope of bliss with thee is fled for ever.
Ivan must know his doom—Ivan—

[calling loudly to him.
Ivan.
Who summons?

Narit.
[unlocks the cell.]
Ah, hapless youth! the horrors of the day
Yet haunt thy soul, and from thy eyelids drive
Sleep's soothing balm. [Aside.]
What then my charge accurst?
Why art thou silent? Speak—

Ivan.
Thy groans appal me.
Oh gaze not on me, so.

Narit.
Look on me, Ivan:
Thou art not wont to turn thine eye from mine.

Ivan.
Thy glance, methinks, streams fire. Why, at this hour,
Say, what thy purpose? Yet I dread to hear.
Why dost thou start? Why turn thine eye around
As fearful of surprise?

Narit.
My heart is fraught
Beyond its bearing. I have kindly us'd thee:
Till now, beneath my rule, no word unkind
Has ever reach'd thee, Ivan.

Ivan.
Thou hast been
A friend, a father to me.

Narit.
How, how utter
Words that hang curses on the tongue that speaks them?
Yet, all must be reveal'd, all clearly told.
Prepare to hear the vow that dooms this hand
To murder—

Ivan.
Whom?

Narit.
Thee, Ivan.

Ivan.
Thou, my father!
Thy hand to murder Ivan!

Narit.
I have vow'd
A terrible oath—

Ivan.
I am prepar'd to die.

Narit.
But I am not prepared to murder thee.

Ivan.
Oh let me fling my arms around thy neck,
There breathe the love I owe thee—

Narit.
But, forgive me,
Deep is my guilt. Oh had it pleas'd high heav'n
Or ere thy birth, in mercy to have swept me
From off the living land, thou, at this hour,
King on thy throne had'st sway'd in righteousness
The sceptre of thy sires, and I had lain
In peace within the grave.

Ivan.
Come to my arms:
Once more embrace me.

Narit.
[starting from his embrace.]
What that sound?

Ivan.
I heard none—

Narit.
[half distracted with horror.]
A foot-step: ha! away! no earthly pow'r,
Shall force him hence.—Have I not sworn his death?
Hear, fiend of hell!

Ivan.
Thick-gathering drops of sweat
Fall from his brow—

Narit.
I heard it—hark, again
A foot-step. It speeds on. Hence, traitors, hence.
'Tis hush'd, and all is peace.

Ivan.
'Twas but the sound
Of the lone sentinel, or gusty night-breeze
Sweeping along the vaults.

Narit.
I must disclose it,
While yet my voice has pow'r—Ivan, 'tis sworn:
The solemn vow is ratified in heaven:
No, to a fiend my plighted soul is bound
That I will fix this dagger in thy heart
Ere mortal man shall triumph in thy rescue.
Yet, had I not so sworn, Rimuni's hand
Ere now had stabb'd thee. [the tower-clock strikes one.]
What that sound?

Ivan.
The tow'r
Strikes one.

[Galvez rushes in.
Gal.
My lord, as tow'rds the east I gaz'd,
I saw a beacon on the topmost tow'r
Distinctly wave: then, suddenly it vanish'd,
And all was dark.

Narit.
Speed, speed, resume thy station:
Observe again what passes.
[As Galvez goes, a violent knocking is heard at the outside of Ivan's cell.
Who thus knocks?

Pet.
[without.]
It is Petrowna; haste, unclose the cell—
Ivan, unclose the cell.

Ivan.
Conceal that dagger.
If thou must slay me,
At her departure, fear not Ivan's struggle:
My death-groan shall not reach Petrowna's ear.

Pet.
[without.]
Oh do not murder him! unclose the cell.
They come. On every side swift-gleaming lights
Flash to and fro—

Narit.
[opens the cell and catches her in his arms.]
Petrowna—

Pet.
Horror! horror!
Naritzin—Ivan—whither shall I turn?
I know thy horrid vow: the demon told it.
Come to me, Ivan.

[Galvez rushes in.
Gal.
Treason—I beheld
The beacon torch thrice wave.

[Ortosk rushes in.
Ort.
Come forth: arm'd men
Rush tow'rds the prisoner's cells.

Narit.
Ring out th'alarum;
Summon the guard. Petrowna to thy chamber.
Horror and death surround the cell. Away—

Ivan.
If Ivan e'er was dear to thee, depart.

Pet.
I stir not hence. A mother's love defends him,
My breast, his shield.

[The alarum rings, the tumult of the Conspirators is heard.
Mir.
Force down the iron draw-bridge!
Break, break the bars

Rim.
[without.]
Rescue to Ivan!—

Cons.
[without.]
Rescue!

Narit.
Not if this sword has pow'r—Galvez, come forth!
Soldier! desert me not. On, boldly on.

[they hurry out.
Pet.
Naritzin! hear. Their multitude o'erpow'rs him,
[clash of arms.
They close him round on every side. Help, heav'n!

[The Conspirators, with torches in their hands, led on by Rimuni, Mirovitz, and Feodor, drive back Naritzin and his friends.
Rim.
[encountering Naritzin.]
Naritzin, 'tis Rimuni now defies thee.

Narit.
[defeats, and runs Rimuni through the body.]
So perish in thy guilt—

Rim.
Curse on thy arm.

[dies.
Miro.
Ivan! come forth! 'Tis Mirovitz who calls you
To freedom, vengeance, empire.

Narit.
[draws his dagger, and stands over Ivan, in act to strike him.]
Never, never
[To Ivan.]
Thou must not live. Back, traitors! or this dagger
Now strikes him dead.

Pet.
Oh do not shed his blood.

Ivan.
[to Narit.]
Dread not in me resistance.

Miro.
[to Feodor.]
Wrest the dagger
To the Conspirators.]
Think of your oaths. Rescue your sovereign—

Narit.
[going to stab Ivan.]
Never:
While I have being.

Miro.
[wrests the dagger from Naritzin, and is in act to slay him.]
Die then.

Pet.
[seizing the arm of Mirovitz, kneels to Ivan.]
Save him, Ivan—
Defend Petrowna's husband!

Ivan.
[to Petrowna.]
Be at peace—
The wretched Ivan can no more sustain
The anguish of thy soul—Thus, thus, [snatches the dagger from Mirovitz, and stabs himself.]

I end it—
Naritzin! none, save Ivan, could absolve thee
From that fell oath: no other arm could rescue
Those whom my soul most loves from ruthless vengeance.
Petrowna now will bless me: and, Naritzin,
Thou on thy death-bed may'st remember Ivan.
Support me, oh I faint.

Miro.
[presenting his sword to Narit.]
My hopes are blasted,
I seek not mercy: take my sword, Naritzin;
Death, instant death.

Pet.
Ivan, my son! look on me—
It is Petrowna's lip that breathes on thine.

Ivan.
My sight grows dim, my hand hath lost its hold:
Support me: closer in thy arms enfold me!

[Petrowna clasps him in her arms.
Pet.
Here, lay thy head.

Ivan.
'Tis sweet to breathe my last
On the sole spot where peace once dwelt with Ivan.

[He dies, Petrowna faints on him.