 | Fredolfo |  |
72
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
A splendid apartment in Wallenberg's palace.A Banquet seen through arches in the back ground.
Music.
(Wallenberg rushes from the Banquet-room with distracted gesture.)
Wall.
Break off your minstrelsy.
[Music ceases.
And must I love her?
And must this maddening pulse and feverish heart
Beat for her still? for her—Can it be love?
Hate's fellest throe were luxury to this!
I could rend out the veins that throb for her;—
I could on mine own heart fix suicide's fangs,
So they defaced that form it dares to cherish!
“I dream'd that I had torn her from my bosom;
“I dream'd—I knew not that it was Urilda:—
“I woke, and found her there.
“I feel her in her prostrate beauty still,
“Her cold hands twined in mine,—her marble lip
“Like that o'er which no breath of life e'er thrill'd;
“The stony fixture of the unpleading eye,
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“The fearful eloquence of convulsed limbs,
“Whose writhings speak what the choak'd tongue denies.
“Away! 'tis folly—vile and loathed folly!—
“I will upon my proud rebellious heart
“Lay the keen stripe of each remember'd wrong,
“And lash it like a lion into madness.”
Did she not spurn me?—That I could forgive.
Did she not shrink from me, as never maiden
From wooer shrunk?—Even that I could forgive.
Has she not dared to love another?—
And can a lover pardon that?—No, never!
My lips can utter “never!” maiden, too—
And I can feel that stern, immortal purpose—
That iron thought—that wall of adamant—
That never of the soul, divorcing hope,
And stamping fate upon futurity.
Enter Berthold hastily.
Bert.
How hast thou fared—is Adelmar secured?
Wall.
My fierce and wayward mood hath crossed my will (sullenly)
.
I had upon her fearing credulous heart
Wrought the nice work of art,—she would have fled
To the earth's verge for hope and Adelmar—
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“My dooming hand, that trembled in her grasp.”
Then rush'd that raving dotard from his nook—
His cunning madness foil'd the hopeful snare,—
My mood was stirr'd—I cursed them, and I parted.—
Do the next feat of wily mischief, thou;
I hate, and curse,—but thou canst curse, and smile!
Bert.
(derisively)
Yea—such a smile as I can spare thee now—
Thou, who canst let even spleen defeat thy vengeance!
Wall.
“I was a fool! with sullen spleen I own it.
“Chide not, or thou may'st feel the wrath thou mockest!
“E'en from my boyhood did I loathe the hand
“That proffer'd me a kindness—my soul's pride
“Had rather met a scorn it could revenge:—
“Yet I did love,—at that proud maiden's feet
“I flung the heart she tramples on. She knew not
“'Twas on the adder's slumbering pride she trod.
“I hate her!—Need I seek another cause—”
Bert.
(looking round)
Hush! hush! she comes to seek thee—linger not—
Thy passion will break forth, and mar mine art.
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She shall unto thy bent and thrilling ear
Own all her father's crime!
Wall.
She did—I heard it.
Bert.
She shall unto thy headsman's bloody stroke
Yield the white throat of Adelmar—yea, bless thee,
—In credulous woman's fond unconsciousness—
For that thy hand doth speed the stroke of death.
Wall.
Ay—let him perish—let me see him perish!
My stormy mood would burst thy puny toils,
Albeit I need them.—Weave thy web alone,
But look thou wind it fast and dark around her.
(Looking out towards her.)
Thou, whom I know not if I loathe or love,—
Who mak'st me tremble with unnamed sensation,—
Whom I could clasp, or curse, embrace, or stab;
Round whom I could, like the dark serpent, fold,
To twine, and—ha! to crush thee!
[Rushes out.
Enter Urilda; she approaches, without knowing Berthold, who has turned away from her, and addresses him as a domestic of Wallenberg.
Uril.
Turn, turn—in mercy turn, my gracious friend!
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Would win admittance by thy gentle ministry,—
Heaven, in thy soul's last need, so deal with thee,
As thou dost speed my boon!
Bert.
(turning on her)
What wouldst thou, maiden?
Uril.
(screaming with horror at his sight)
Ah! Berthold!—Serpent! have I trod on thee?
And art thou twining round the mercy-seat
I fled to cling to?—Mercy is not there—
Forgive, forgive me! (changing.)
I must plead to thee—
Thou hast not eat Fredolfo's bread to curse it—
Thou hast not known Fredolfo's heart to pierce it!
(Approaching nearer to him.)
The blessing of his roof is on thee still,
Its holy air hangs round thee, and I feel it—
The sweet breeze of the valley breathes on me!
Friend,—servant of my father—spurn me not—
The daughter of thy master bends to thee!
Bert.
(aside)
Love knows no luxury like this!
(Turning to her)
Beshrew me,
Fair damsel, but thy sad plight pities me.—
Alone—untended—with dishevell'd locks!
And did the nice Urilda, all regardless (irony)
Of her state's pride, and of her maiden fame,
Traverse at midnight the deserted streets,
To woo the audience of a feverish reveller,
All too susceptive of fair maiden's charms?
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Thou speak'st in mockery—hadst thou e'er a father?
I fear'd for one—I know no other fear!
Bert.
Thy father's life hangs trembling on these moments:—
Speak! wouldst thou save him?
Uril.
(with emotion)
Would I?—
Bert.
Sign this scroll,
And Adelmar, ere midnight, with strong arm
Shall burst thy father's fetters—sign this scroll!
Uril.
Give it me—but, oh! Berthold, glare not on me—
Why must my hand thus beckon him to danger?—
Bert.
The question mocks my patience!—Will he trust
Aught but thy hand?
Would it beseem the governor of Altdorf
To break the chains of an arraigned murderer?
Does it beseem the daughter of Fredolfo
To pause, when her sole touch can burst those chains?
Would Adelmar obey the Austrian's bidding?
Will Adelmar reject Urilda's call?
Uril.
Give me the paper!
(She snatches the paper, then shrieks at seeing the horrid change in his expression.)
Canst thou betray me—canst thou?—
Say that thou wilt not—speak, but look not on me!
Bert.
Have I not said?
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Swear—swear!
Bert.
And by what power?
Uril.
(with fervent agony)
Swear by that Heaven who saw a father's crime;—
That Heaven who sees a daughter's broken heart;—
That Heaven who sees the tortured and the perjured;—
That Heaven who on my crush'd and whirling brain
Hath flash'd a horrid light—swear, this instant swear!
Bert.
(with the utmost affected coldness)
Why, here's a coil to win thee to thy will.—
I care not—I—to bear such thankless office—
The sorry meed of fond officious virtue—
In faith I am too pitiful, and patient!
(Increasing his assumed indifference as he watches her increasing agony.)
The hours are waning; life wanes fast with them:—
The beam of morn may gild a bloody scaffold.
(She staggers towards him.)
Sign an' thou wilt—hold! that is not the paper—
Thou'st seized my garment's hem!
Uril.
(madly)
Give me the paper!
There! there!
(She snatches the paper and signs her name.)
Thou hast it now—thou hast me, Berthold!
(Attempting to snatch the paper.)
But if—oh, no—I will not think.
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(detaining the paper)
Thou must
—In this dread moment of thy utmost fate—
Be more than Nature's woman,—think and act.
Uril.
(Resolutely.)
I will!
Bert.
And can'st thou?
Uril.
And I can!
Bert.
Away then!
Sit by thy father with a patient smile,—
Win o'er the weary hours with constant talk,—
And when the prison-bell o'er vault and dome
Booms its deep sound, startling the wretch that sleeps not,
Rouse all thy courage at thy utmost need,
For then will be a need to try that courage.
[Urilda rushes to him in an agony of gratitude.
Away, and save thy father!
Uril.
I must bless thee!
[Rushes out.
Bert.
(Following her with a wild laugh.)
How weak a thing is woman, when she loves!—
How fierce a thing is woman, when she hates!—
Enter Wallenberg and Officer.
I have—I have it—in my hand I grasp it—
The doom of Adelmar!—Urilda seal'd it.
Wall.
Away! begone, and find him—should he 'scape!—
Bert.
Fear not—I've watch'd his steps—he is at hand,
80
They want but this— (the paper)
and they, ere long, shall have it.
Offi.
Shall we not toll the bell, and give the alarm?
Wall.
Toll for thy knell, if that thou dare to touch it!
[Throwing off his fierceness, and assuming a malignant caution.
On, slave!—but steal with an assassin's tread.—
The mother, to whose breast he smiling clung
In life's young morn, when life is loveliest,
Felt not his weal more dear than Wallenberg!
No hand must be upon him—he is mine!
Not worlds shall buy his heart-drops' priceless ransom.
Before her eyes—and summon'd by her hand—
Then,—then,—to see him writhe—and hear her shriek—
Oh! let me drain that last rich draught of vengeance,
Then—fling the cup away!
[Rushes out, followed by Berthold and Officer.
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SCENE II.
A vaulted Room in the Prison; large folding doors in the back. Urilda and Fredolfo discovered.Fred.
And art thou here? Come to my breast—Nay, do not—
These chains may bruise thee—I ne'er felt the burden
Till their cold clasp made me forbid my child's.—
Uril.
(Embracing him.)
They shall not keep thee from me—they are light—
[Looking up at him with fond hope and confidence.
Father! thou canst not be a murderer!
Fred.
Go—close the door—I had forgot—forgive me,—
A dungeon door is ever barr'd—My child!—
[She looks terrified.
Nay, gaze not on me—it is horrible—
But it is just—my crime was horrible—
I've bow'd to ask forgiveness of my God—
[Kneels.
I kneel to ask forgiveness of my child.
Uril.
“O, hold—nor drive me mad!—O, wouldst thou see me
“Dash on this floor of stone my desperate brain?”
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I bend not now to Heaven, for Heaven hath spoke it—
But thou must speak it too.
Uril.
(With deep emotion.)
Well then,—
[Rushing to him, and clasping him in her arms.
I cannot!
Fred.
Urilda, hang not weeping on my neck—
There was an hour—Oh! that it was to come!
For I was virtuous then!—but—
Wallenberg!—
Uril.
(Starting.)
Wallenberg!
Fred.
That bad man's father!
He, in my absence—To a daughter's ear
I cannot tell the tale of woe and shame!—
The base and brutal spoiler—in my absence—
[A long pause.
The shriek I heard not rings for ever here—
[Another pause, during which Urilda stands in conscious horror.
The spirit burst from its dismantled dwelling,
[Rapidly.
And left thee motherless—and me a wretch.
Wild from my blasted home I rush'd—I met him—
[A long pause, he utters every following line with increasing difficulty, and she listens with increasing terror.
'Twas the dark twilight of a stormy eve,—
[A longer pause, she watches him.
'Twas in a lonely mountain's dismal pass—
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I struck—
Uril.
(Clinging to him with a scream of horror.)
No—no—thou didst not!—no—
Fred.
(Gloomily.)
I did!
(Triumphantly.)
This was the arm that struck!—this arm again
Would smite that worse than murderer to the earth!
Uril.
(With a fearful hope.)
There was no witness?
Fred.
Berthold stood by me,
And still he stands the stern and awful witness
Of that dark hour!
Uril.
(Shuddering.)
Berthold!—
Fred.
(With increasing difficulty.)
There was another,—
A peasant boy—who did his innocent breast,
With loud and helpless outcry, long oppose
To blows not aim'd at him—Twas Adelmar!
I hated him—from clime to clime I drove him;—
But to his mountain-home he would return,—
Return to save thy life—and I repaid him—
[Bitter self-reproach.
I—thrust him in a dungeon—but—I freed him.
Crime follow'd crime;—on murder treachery,
On treachery vengeance, and on vengeance fear,
Came link on link, to bind me to perdition—
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[With convulsive emotion.
But I have burst through all!
Uril.
O, misery!
Fred.
'Twas misery unknown, unspeakable—
For I was guilty!
Uril.
(Clinging to him.)
Thou art innocent!
In the day's glare, or in the dungeon's gloom,—
In the sight of partial man and witnessing angels,
In the sight of awful heaven, thou'rt innocent!
And heav'n will judge thee as thy daughter judges.
(A distant shout.)
Fred.
(Starting from her arms.)
Hark! hark! that shout—what means it?
Uril.
(With an exulting shriek.)
That thou'rt innocent!
'Tis heaven's deep echo to a daughter's cry—
They come, they come to burst these horrid walls!
Fred.
(Trembling.)
To burst these walls?
Uril.
I could not speak before
The secret of a heart too sad for hope—
Thou art their prize—and Adelmar their leader!
(Shouts without.)
Fred.
(With much agitation.)
Would they had let me die! I was prepared
For all but life!—Would they would let me die!
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You shall not die—Hark! hark! they come! they come!
Hark! to the peal of the thundering multitude!—
Hark! to the crash of bolt, and bar, and beam!—
(The noise increases.)
[Fredolfo sits down on a stone bench, and clasps his hands over his forehead, while Urilda, in an agony of joy, traverses the stage, echoing every sound and shouting as the assault on the prison-doors increases.
‘And they come’ is in the shout, and the tread, and the trample.—
They are here!
(The doors give way.)
Smite, harder smite—the saints to speed—
They yield—they fall—they're here, and Adelmar—
Brave Adelmar their leader!
Wallenberg without.
Wall.
Down with them! trample on them!
Wallenberg rushes in with Ulric and a numerous band, who surround Fredolfo.
Waste not a moment on those baffled slaves—
Seize him—secure him—drag him to my feet,
My state's whole treasure to the hand that holds him!
Where is he? Where is Adelmar?
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He hath escaped!
Wall.
(after a long pause of breathless fury, going up to him.)
Escaped!
[Seizing Ulric.
Thy life for his—escaped—to rush upon us
[letting go Ulric.
Like a recoiling wave that splits the rock—
His wild and rallied force will burst on us
Before the blow is struck—
(Pausing, and viewing Fredolfo.)
No—no, it shall not—
I have this victim yet—Guards! seize the murderer!
[During Wallenberg's speech, Urilda shudders with wild stupefaction, not comprehending how Wallenberg can express such enmity against Adelmar.—She starts on seeing Fredolfo seized by Wallenberg's band, and flings herself at Wallenberg's feet, still believing him her friend.
Fred.
I'm guilty—let me perish—save that innocent,
For, she—what hath she done?
[Falls into their arms.
(Urilda kneeling to Wallenberg, who surveys her with dreadful composure.)
Uril.
See—see—they seize him—and is this thy doing?
Wallenberg! Wallenberg!—my friend—preserver—
At thy command I summon'd Adelmar:
(Grasping his robe, and shaking it in despair.)
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(with a faint laugh.)
Mock me no further—for my brain is whirling.
[Shrieking in despair to him.
They've seized my father! Are you not my friend!
Are you not? Speak! speak!—speak!—or, I shall madden!
[Grappling him in an agony.—After enjoying it silently, he bursts into a demoniac laugh.
Wall.
Ha!—ha!—ha!—ha!
[She looks torpid.
Fred.
(Shaking his hand at him.)
Oh! demon! demon! demon!
Wall.
(with ferocious triumph.)
Ay, shake thy fetter'd hand in madness at me!
Uril.
(roused and interposing.)
Wallenberg! lover—friend—one word of mercy—
Thou can'st not—no, thou art not such a demon!
Wall.
(all his fury bursting out.)
Yes, a triumphant demon!—at my foot
The minor fiends in torment writhe and curse—
[She throws herself at his feet hopelessly.
(Coldly.)
Kneel—kneel—in beauty's eloquent agony,
That I may say—Urilda, never—never!
[Passing by her as she clings to him, and pointing at Fredolfo, then turning to her with redoubled malignity.
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Thy lover—ay, thy lover—hath escaped—
[Stamping with rage and agony.
Or to a scaffold's black and bloody doom
Thy voice had lured him,—and thy hand had led.—
Mine was the thought—mine should have been the transport,
To make thy fond credulity his fate!—
[Turning to Fredolfo.
But,—thou, at least, art mine—and thou shalt feel it!
[Turns to Ulric, and speaking with cold solemnity.
Go, seek the headsman—tell him, the state's service
From my reluctant tongue compels the word—
Death for Fredolfo!
Uril.
(with a dreadful scream.)
No—not death—not death— (To Ulric.)
He said not death—or meant it—not—not death!
[Exit Ulric.
(Fredolfo attempts to interpose.)
Thou shalt not speak—there's mercy in his face.
[to Fredolfo.
(Exultingly.)
I see—I see it—though he knows it not.
Wall.
(raising his head-dress, and fixing on her the look of triumphant malignity.)
Dost thou?
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When the bell tolls, remember Wallenberg!
[Going out, he speaks in eager and rapid tones to the guards.
Make haste! make haste! do your dark work with speed—
Swift their return—and fell will be their push!
But their wild battle shall be—round his corse!
[Exit with Soldiers.
Uril.
(starting up.)
Where are you, father?
[Feeling about in the blindness of despair.
Fred.
How is the hour?
Uril.
Heed not the moments!
Fred.
(with ghastly significance of look.)
They are moments then!
My lips are parch'd—not even to heaven
In this dark moment can I breathe a prayer.
[wiping his lips.
The fierce and feverish thirst of agony—
The quenchless fire—is lit within already.
Uril.
(with a shriek of horror.)
Moments! Oh! that my prayers could lengthen
Moments even horrible as these for ever!
Fred.
(nodding over his chains.)
For ever! it will be for ever soon.
Death, I have met thee in the battle field—
90
Uril.
It wants a moment yet!
[Embracing him wildly.
The bell tolls.
(She stands stupified.)
Fred.
(Calmly.)
The moment's past!
(Muffled drum beats without.)
Berthold, guards, and headsman, with axe in his hand, appear in the opening in the back.— Guards bear torches.
Bert.
(Coming forward.)
Prisoner, your hour is come!
Uril.
(with a faint scream.)
Help! Adelmar!
Fred.
(sternly to her)
Of help, or hope, or mercy, speak no more!
They've urged me to the brink, and I stand there
Like one, who on despair calls for dark strength,
And feels his call is answer'd—Lead on!
I've trod with prouder step, but ne'er with firmer!
[Urilda, half unconscious, clings to him. The guards, by order of Berthold, attempt to separate them.
Uril.
O! let me be a daughter, whilst I may,
For long I must not be!
[She attempts to employ herself about her
91
Bert.
Will not thy footsteps falter, gentle maid,
When they must guide a murderer to the block?
Uril.
(Quite unconscious of the speaker.)
They will not—and I thank you, gentle friend;
[Looking up, and recognizing him, with a scream.
Ah! Berthold! Mercy! mercy! dearest Berthold!
Bert.
Yea—mercy brief and welcome—such swift mercy
As yon keen axe can deal.
Uril.
(wildly.)
Yet, mercy! mercy!
Mercy may dart between the hovering axe
And the cold neck it quivers o'er.
Fred.
Lead on!
(Shouts at a great distance.)
Uril.
(Catching the sound.)
Hold!—by the fearfullest oath the lip e'er utter'd,
By desperation's agonizing hope,
Hold,—there is mercy—hope,—but not with you—
There is a voice in the air—heard you it not?
(Rapturously.)
Oh, first, my ear first caught it!
Bert.
(To the guards.)
To the block!
Uril.
(as the tumult without increases.)
No—drag me first—my father!
[Grasping him convulsively.
Clasp! clasp me close!
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(Fiercely to the guards.)
Drag, drag them both!
[The guards approach, and seize them. They struggle with them. She clasps Fredolfo closer.
(Shout without.)
Fredolfo!
Uril.
(Clinging to her father, and echoing the shout.)
Fredolfo! list!—Fredolfo, hear, and strive!
I will not from this trunk unclasp my hold!
It is not yet a corse—it shall not be!
[Struggling with them.
Rend, rend away—he is yet alive!
(Trumpets.—Shouting.)
Adelmar and his band rush in on all sides, and overpower Berthold and guards.
Adel.
(Rescuing Fredolfo, and committing him to his band.)
Bear him off, quick! this breast shall guard your passage.
[Fredolfo is borne off, struggling, by Adelmar's band.
(understanding his gestures.)
Leave her with me—resist not—bear him hence!
(approaching Urilda, who is fainting.)
And thou—Oh! let me save thee—droop not now,
One moment's well-waked energy—
[Urilda pursuing her father with her eyes, and then falling senseless in his arms.
Uril.
He's safe! He's safe!
[Adelmar raises her, and is carrying her off,
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Wall.
Turn, traitor! Villain, turn!
[Attacks him; Adelmar parries the blows, till finding Urilda in danger of being wounded, he is compelled to let her fall; Berthold, watching his opportunity, catches her. Wallenberg's knights seize Adelmar and disarm him.
(to his knights.)
Drag him hence!
[Knights force Adelmar off the stage.
For, oh! I gaze upon a dearer prize! Urilda!
Bert.
Urilda—all thine own!
Uril.
(recovering slowly.)
Where, oh, where am I?—There was death and blood,
And a broad sea of gore,—and in it floated
A father's headless corse, tossing and wreck-like,
And still I plunged, and plunged, and still in blood—
At last I fell—
[Unconsciously starting at finding herself in the arms of a man.
Ah! monster,—is it thee!
[shrieking.
[Urilda struggling to free herself, and supplicating even Wallenberg in her favour.
Oh! save me! save me! Wallenberg, protect me!
Wall.
(scoffing.)
What! are those pleading arms held out to me?
Uril.
They are! they are! to thee—Oh, mercy! mercy!
[Wallenberg derides her distress.
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Good,—merciful,—dear Wallenberg,—Oh! save me!
Oh! mercy! Oh! mercy!
Wall.
Berthold, guard thy prize!
[Urilda, with a dreadful shriek, bursts from Berthold, and darting into the arms of Wallenberg, clings to him—He bears her off, with a fierce laugh.
Ay, let Fredolfo flee—since thou art here!
[Exeunt.
End of the Fourth Act.
| Fredolfo | |