University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Mountains of St. Gothard, in the neighbourhood of the Castle—A tremendous storm—The scene partially illuminated by flashes of lightning —Fredolfo's attendants are seen hurrying among the wild passes of the Mountains—A distant view of the Monastery of St. Gothard —The bell pealing at intervals—Two attendants of Fredolfo are seen indistinctly among the Cliffs.
1st Atten.
Where is thy lord?

2d Atten.
Nay, ask that fearful bell!
Why didst thou leave him? Hush! nor answer me—
I hear a horn, 'tis breathing from the vale—
In the deep pausings of the storm I hear it—
Hark! Hark!

1st Atten.
It is a stranger's horn that sounds—
That stranger-youth, who cross'd us in our journey!
See! see! he totters o'er that gulf of death—
He plunges in—lost youth, he perishes!

[Exeunt.
A tremendous chasm among the rocks.—Adelmar is seen extricating Fredolfo, who leans on him exhausted—Adelmar leads him forward slowly —The stage very dark.
Fred.
(without looking up.)
What hand hath snatch'd me from my cavern-tomb?
Is it a mortal arm on which I lean,
Whose power hath burst my bond of adamant?
“The grave had closed upon me—o'er my head
“The meeting rocks form'd an eternal barrier—
“Nature's stupendous keep—whose shackles are
“The ribbed rocks—whose vault the hollowed mountain;”—
[shudders.
Within a lightless dungeon pent to perish,
Which mortal hand nor framed nor penetrates,—
Below the human ear, the human tread—
The baffled eagle scream'd as far he flew—
The tempest's voice,—a fearful whisper there,
It had been bliss to hear it roar in freedom!—
There was a viewless stream beside my foot,
Whose waves no light, whose lapse no echo knew:—
[recovering the sense of his situation.
Speak to me, stranger,—thy brave hand feels cold!
Tell me whose name I am to bless?

Adel.
Bless heaven!
I am a wretched mortal! fare thee well!
Thy train approach, I leave thee to their care.

(Torches at a distance.)
Fred.
(holding him.)
Thou shalt not leave me!
Bear torches here, I must behold the man
Who trembles less at peril than at praise.

Adel.
(struggling with him.)
Hold! know'st thou not with whom thou darkly strugglest?
Release me, let me hide from thee for ever!
(Fredolfo detains him.)
Swear then, whatever form the light disclose,
Thou wilt not.—Ha! the torches glare! behold me!

[The servants enter with torches—Adelmar flings back his mantle, and gazes on Fredolfo; after a moment's pause of recognition, Fredolfo's countenance assumes the wildest expression of rage and horror.
Fred.
Ha! Thou,—thou here! the dæmon sworn to blast me!
I rush to hide me 'mid the peopled city,—
He haunts me in the streets!—I fly to the mountains,—
His hand hath power to reach me in their darkness!
Come, bear me in thy talon'd gripe to torture,
Let us lie down on beds of fire together,
And wallow in fierce ease,—that I may feel
I have no more to fear!

[Sinks down.
Wal.
What means my lord?

Fred.
(starting up.)
Slaves! seize him! drag him to your darkest dungeons!
Heap mountains on him, bury him i'the centre,
Where light can never pierce.

Adel.
(struggling with the attendants.)
Men! hear me plead,
Murder not him, whose arm hath saved your master!

[They grapple with him, and get him on his knees—Fredolfo draws his dagger, and rushes towards him, when Urilda entering, flings herself between them.
Uril.
Spare him! Oh spare! it is your daughter kneels.

Fred.
Off, frantic wretch!—Know'st thou for whom thou plead'st?

Uril.
(in agony.)
He saved your life!

Fred.
Saved it,—to curse, to blight it!
Off,—or I curse thee too!

Uril.
(Flinging her arms round Adelmar, and protecting him.)
Curse me,—but spare him!

Fred.
(Writhing on seeing her in his arms.)
Lock'd in his arms before my withering sight!
Then, hear me—Thou hast drawn the thunder down,
And may it fall and crush thee! Ye dark spirits,
“Who quit your homes to range with horrid joy
“The deeper hell of man's changed soul within him,”
Who prompt the parent's trembling tongue with curses,
Who goad the female heart with brandish'd scorpions,
Steep mine in your black venom,—from its core
Pluck nature's up-torn roots to the last fibre,
Though its strings sever too—while o'er the head
Of her, who was my child—

[Urilda, who has been listening with horror, releases Adelmar, and falls on the earth at his feet.
Uril.
Oh, mercy! mercy!

[The curtain falls.