 | Gemma of The Isles |  |
Scene VI.
—Early morning. The town in confusion. Enter Peasant youths and maidens in holiday dress.A Peasant.
What means this loud alarm of bells, that reached
E'en to our heights above since break of day?
Another Peasant.
And all this crowd that's hurrying to the beach?
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And yon war-galley weighing anchor now,
And shaking loose its canvass to this first
Faint breeze that ripples the last night's long calm.
A Townsman.
Alas! alas! alas!
Another Townsman.
'Tis for the Duchess!
Have not you heard it?
Peasants.
What of her? We come
To lay our humble homage at her footstool,
Eager for the least glimpse of her sweet beauty,
Eager that she may deign to set her feet
Upon these flowers we long to strew before her.
A Towns.
Then turn again! We have lost our sweet Princess!
Peasants.
What! is she dead? Oh, woe!
Towns.
Not dead, but gone!
E'en at the very height of our rejoicing,
Whilst night was wild with light and ecstacy,
The Dane burst on us—from her very palace
Snatched off our treasure......
Another Towns.
Come, no time to lose
If you would see the Doge's son embark!
To the seashore, haste!
A Peasant.
Is yonder then his galley?
He hastens to the rescue?
Towns.
Who but he?
Oh, had you seen him, from that vain boat-chase
Returning, leap on shore! Such silent rage!
His face was black as midnight—few and stern
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The busy sailors hastened at his bidding.
And that long look he fastened on the pirate!
Then sharply turned away, and seemed as if
He had forgot 'twas there.
Another Towns.
And such a throng
Of volunteers came round for Gemma's sake!
All our young nobles frantic to enlist
Beneath Lorenzo's flag. E'en brave Querini,
Half-slain, they say, last night at Gemma's door,
Will not be left behind; as eager, too,
That brave Knight of Saint John, from Palestine.
[All hasten away.
| Gemma of The Isles | |