University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A wild alley with a grove behind. Martial music heard without.
Then enter Garcio with his soldiers on march, and Gonzalos.
Gar.
Halt, my brave comrades; here we'll rest awhile
Till sultry noon be past. Those spreading trees
Will give you shade. To Gonzalos.)

Seest thou Rovani coming?

Gon.
No, good my lord; but through the trees I see
Your castle's turrets brighten'd with the sun.
Look there! it is a fair, enliv'ning sight.

Gar.
turning away, after a hasty look).
I see, I see.—But wherefore stays Rovani! To soldiers.)

Go, choose, each as he lists, his spot of rest;
I'll keep me here.
[Gonzalos and the soldiers retire to the bottom of the stage, but still appear partially through the trees.
After musing some time.)
An infant's life!
What is an infant's life? the chilly blast,
That nips the blossom, o'er the cradle breathes,
And child and dam like blighted sweetness fade.
If this should be! O, dear, uncertain bliss!
Shame on his tardy steps!—Ha! here he comes!
Enter Rovani, while Garcio runs up to him eagerly.
They are alive? they're well? And thou hast seen them?

Rov.
Your lady and your son?

Gar.
impatiently).
Ay, ay!

Rov.
They're well.

Gar.
Thank heav'n, they are!—But yet thy words are slow:
Does she not follow thee? Waits she my coming?

Rov.
She surely does expect it.

Gar.
What voice, what looks are these? O speak more freely!
If there be merey in thee, speak more freely!
[Pauses and looks earnestly at him.
Something is wrong—I have nor wife nor child!

Rov.
They are both well: have I not spoken plain words?

Gar.
Plain words! yes, baldly plain; reserved and heartless.
Thou dost not use me like a fellow soldier,
In the same warfare worn.—What hast thou seen?
Thou sayst my lady's well: did she receive,
With a wife's joy, the news of my return?

Rov.
I am not skill'd to say; for dispositions
Of various hues are variously affected.
The news were sudden and unlook'd for: oft
The joy of such is clouded and disturb'd.
She did withdraw in secrecy to hide
Her strong emotions.

Gar.
She was strongly moved?

Rov.
I know not how it was. The servants, too,
Whisper'd together as I pass'd, and look'd
With a strange staring gravity upon me.
Dull clowns! who should have cast their caps in air
For joy of your return. Baldwin is dead;
And if for him they wear those sombre looks,
Good piteous souls they are. A courtly damsel,
Attending on the countess, did, forsooth!
Mistake my trumpet for the glad arrival
Of some gay visitor, who was expected;
Whose buxom train, no doubt, contains some youth
More grateful to her sight than war-worn knight,
Such as my paltry self.

Gar.
What visitor?

Rov.
That very martial lord,
The Marquis of Tortona, save his worth!
For he conducts his soldiers through these parts,
And makes a halt in this fair neighbourhood,
Some days or so, for needful recreation.
[A pause.
What! stay we here to ruminate upon it?
Will that avail?—Come, onward to the castle!
And, be our welcome there or cold or kind,
'Tis what heav'n sends us.

Gar.
Off; disturb me not!
Thy heart is light.

Rov.
No, Garcio; 'tis not light
If thine be heavy. I have told my tale
Too well I see it now—but foolishly:
Yet their cold looks provoked me.—Brood not on it:
There is one face, at least, within your walls
Will smile on you with sweet and guileless smiles:
A noble boy,—might call a monarch father,
Ay, by my faith! and do him honour, too.

Gar.
Does he lisp sounds already?—And so lovely?
I've found tears now, press'd being that I am!
Come then; I'll summon strength: whate'er betide,
Or good or ill, I'll meet it.

[Exeunt.