 | Romiero |  |
SCENE III.
An old Gothic chapel: Sebastian and Zorada are discovered in earnest conversation.Seb.
And wilt thou bear these lessons in thy mind?
Zor.
I shall forget to say my daily prayers
When I forget to think of thee, dear father!
And, when I think of thee, thy words of kindness,
And words of counsel too, shall be remember'd.
Seb.
Sweet child! stand back and let me look upon thee.
Ay; so she look'd. O! it is sweet in thee
To look so like thy mother, when mine eyes
Must take their last impression, as a treasure
Here (his hand on his heart)
to be cell'd for ever. Many looks
Thy varying face was wont to wear, yet never,
But in some sad or pensive mood, assumed
The likeness of that countenance;—to me
Thy loveliest look; though, to all other eyes,
Thy mother's beauty never equall'd thine.
Zor.
I still remember her: the sweetest face
That e'er I look'd upon. I oft recall it,
And strive to trace the features more distinctly.
Seb.
Be good as she was; and when I am gone,
Never again let myst'ry and concealment,
Tempting the weakness of thy husband's nature,
Which but for this were noble, break the peace
And harmony of marriage.—For this oath—
This fatal oath—he was constrain'd to take it.
Then so consider it, nor let it rankle
Within thy gentle breast: that were perverse.
When I am gone, all will again be well,
And I will write to thee and comfort thee.
335
And that should satisfy.
Zor.
Alas! alas!
When I shall read thy letters, my poor heart
Will but the more yearn after thee, dear father!
And pine to see thee. Suffer me to hope
That we shall meet again.—Call it not vain,
But suffer me to think—
Enter Nurse in alarm.
What is the matter?
Nurse.
You are discover'd: Don Romiero comes;
I heard his voice approaching through the trees.
I heard the hollow tread of many feet.
Zor.
(to Sebastian).
O fly! farewell!
Seb.
Farewell, my dearest child!
Heaven bless and guard thee ever! O farewell!
[Embraces her, and exit.
Zor.
If he should be discover'd!
Nurse.
Fear it not.
He knows the nearest path, and on the beach
The captain will receive him. Ere 'tis light,
He will be safely in the vessel lodged.
O all good saints of heav'n! he's here already.
Enter Romiero.
Rom.
Most wretched and degraded woman! Now
Thy shameful secret is discover'd. Now,
Vice unveiled and detestable must have
Its dreadful recompense. Where is thy minion?
Zor.
O cease! you frighten me with such fierce looks.
I have done thee no wrong.
Rom.
Provoke me not with oft-repeated words,
Which I do know are false as his who fell
Apostate and accursed. Where is thy minion?
[In a still louder voice, and stamping on the ground.
Tell me without delay: speak briefly, truly,
If thou hast hope to live another hour.
Zor.
O pity, pity! be not so enraged!
Thou shalt be told the truth a few hours hence;
Then, to that time, detest me as thou wilt,
But spare my life.
Re-enter Sebastian, while Romiero has, in his rage, stridden to the front of the stage. Zorada, uttering a shriek, runs to her father, and throws her veil over his face, endeavouring to push him back.
Seb.
What! fly and leave thee in a madman's power?
I heard his stormy voice, and could not leave thee.
[Romiero turns round, and, running furiously at them, stabs Zorada in aiming at Sebastian; Guzman, who enters in alarm, followed by Maurice and Beatrice, endeavouring, in vain, to prevent him.
Guz.
Hold! hold! thou wilt not strike a cover'd foe!
Zor.
(still clinging round her father).
Strike me again; I will not quit my hold.
I'll cling to him; within my dying grasp
I'll hold him safe: thou wilt not kill him there.
[Sinking to the ground, while the veil drops from the face of Sebastian.
Rom.
Her father!
Zor.
Yes; my father, dear Romiero!
Thou wilt not slay us both. Let one suffice!
Thou lovedst me once; I know thou lovest me now;
Shall blood so dear to thee be shed in vain?
Let it redeem my father!—I am faint,
Else I would kneel to thee.
[Endeavouring to kneel, but prevented and supported by nurse and Beatrice.
Nurse.
Do not, dear murder'd child!
Bea.
My dear, dear friend, forbear. He heeds thee not.
Guz.
Romiero, dost thou hear her sad request?
Rom.
I hear your voices murm'ring in mine ear
Confused and dismal. Words I comprehend not.
What have I done? Some dreadful thing, I fear.
It is delusion this! she is not slain:
Some horrible delusion.
Zor.
(aside to Sebastian).
Fly, fly, dear father, while he is so wild.
He will not know and will not follow thee.
Seb.
No, dearest child! let death come when it will,
I'll now receive it thankfully. Romiero,
Thou wretched murd'rer of thy spotless wife—
Romiero de Cardona!
Rom.
Who is it calls me with that bitter voice?
[Gazing on him; and then with a violent gesture of despair.
I know thee;—yes, I know what I have done.
Guz.
Forbear such wild and frantic sorrow now,
And speak to her while she is sensible,
And can receive thy words. She looks on thee,
And looks imploringly.
Rom.
Zorada, my Zorada! spotless saint!
I lov'd thee far beyond all earthly things,
But demons have been dealing with my soul,
And I have been thy tyrant and destroyer,
A wretch bereft of reason.
Bea.
She makes a sign as if she fain would speak,
But her parch'd tongue refuses. (To Maurice.)
Fetch some water
To moisten those dear lips and cool that brow.
[Exit Maurice.
She strives again to speak.
Rom.
(stooping over her.)
What wouldst thou say?
What means that gentle motion?
Zor.
Come close to me; thou'rt pardon'd, love, thou'rt pardoned.
Rom.
No, say that I am blasted, ruin'd, cursed,
Hateful to God and man.
Re-enter Maurice with water, which she tastes.
Zor.
Thou art not cursed; O no! then be more calm.
336
Look here; he is my father: think of that.
Thou'rt pardoned, love; thou'rt pardoned.
Rom.
She call'd me love. Did she not call me so?
Guz.
Yes, most endearingly.
Rom.
And she is gone, and I have murder'd her!
[Throws himself on the body, moaning piteously; then starts up in despair, and looks furiously at Sebastian.
Thou restless, selfish, proud, rebellious spirit!
Thy pride has work'd our ruin, been our bane;
The bane of love so bless'd! Draw, wretched man!
I've sworn an oath, which I will sacred hold,
That when Sebastian and myself should meet,
He should to royal justice be deliver'd,
Or, failing that, one of the twain should die.
[Drawing his sword fiercely upon him.
Guz.
(holding him back).
Hold, madman, hold! thy rage is cruel, monstrous,
Outraging holy nature.
Rom.
(breaking from him.)
Off! thinkst thou to restrain or bind despair
With petty strength like thine?—Proud rebel, draw!
I am thy daughter's murderer, and thou
Destroyer of us both.
Seb.
Yes, Don Romiero, we are match'd in ruin,
And we will fight for that which cures despair.
He who shall gain it is the conqueror.
[They fight, each exposing himself rather than attacking his adversary.
Rom.
No; to't in earnest, if thou wouldst not have me
Deliver thee a felon to the law.
Defend thine honour, though thou scorn thy life!
[They fight again, and Romiero falls.
I thank thee, brave Sebastian: O forgive
Harsh words that were but meant to urge contention.
Thou'rt brave and noble; so my heart still deem'd thee,
Though, by hard fate, compelled to be thy foe.—
Come hither, Guzman: thou hast sworn no oath.
Give me thy hand; preserve Sebastian's life,
And lay me in the grave with my Zorada.
[The curtain drops.
| Romiero | |