University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—Room in the Citadel of Palermo.
Alberti. De Couci.
De Couci.
Said'st thou this night?

Alberti.
This very night—and lo!
E'en now the sun declines.

De Cou.
What! are they arm'd?

Alb.
All arm'd, and strong in vengeance and despair.

De Cou.
Doubtful and strange the tale! Why was not this
Reveal'd before?

Alb.
Mistrust me not, my lord!
That stern and jealous Procida hath kept
O'er all my steps, (as though he did suspect
The purposes, which oft his eye hath sought
To read in mine,) a watch so vigilant,
I knew not how to warn thee, tho' for this
Alone I mingled with his bands, to learn
Their projects and their strength. Thou know'st my faith
To Anjou's house full well.

De Cou.
How may we now
Avert the gathering storm?—The viceroy holds
His bridal feast, and all is revelry.
—'Twas a true-boding heaviness of heart
Which kept me from these nuptials.

Alb.
Thou thyself
Mayst yet escape, and, haply of thy bands
Rescue a part, ere long to wreak full vengeance
Upon these rebels. 'Tis too late to dream
Of saving Eribert. E'en shouldst thou rush
Before him with the tidings, in his pride
And confidence of soul, he would but laugh
Thy tale to scorn.

De Cou.
He must not die unwarn'd,
Tho' it be all in vain. But thou, Alberti,
Rejoin thy comrades, lest thine absence wake
Suspicion in their hearts. Thou hast done well,
And shalt not pass unguerdon'd, should I live
Thro' the deep horrors of th'approaching night.

Alb.
Noble De Couci, trust me still. Anjou
Commands no heart more faithful than Alberti's.
[Exit Alberti.

De Cou.
The grovelling slave!—And yet he spoke too true!
For Eribert, in blind elated joy,
Will scorn the warning voice.—The day wanes fast,
And thro' the city, recklessly dispersed,
Unarm'd and unprepared, my soldiers revel,
E'en on the brink of fate.—I must away.
[Exit De Couci.