 | Gemma of The Isles |  |
Scene IX.
—The ships of Harold and Lorenzo along-side of each other. Lorenzo, Knight of St. John, and Venetians rush on board Harold's ship.Lor.
Where art thou, robber? strike him none but I!
Sig.
So will I dye thy white cross red.
[Strikes the Knight of St. John.
Knight.
Avenge me,
Lorenzo!
[Falls.
Lor.
It is done.
[Runs Sigurd through with his sword.
Now, thou bride stealer,
It is thy turn!
Thor.
And thine!
Har.
Thorbrand, stand back!
(To Lorenzo
Madman, to challenge thus the blood of Odin!
[They fight. Harold shatters Lorenzo's sword, overpowers and makes him prisoner. The Venetians give way, and after a struggle, surrender.
Har.
First, clear away the corpses! Thorbrand, go,
See that the signs of slaughter on the deck
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As here on this.
Thor.
Why did you spare your foe?
For now you will not slay him in cold blood.
I understand you not.
Har.
You will soon, Thorbrand.
[He passes below and reappears with Gemma.
Lor.
Magnanimous Pirate, thou hast spared her life then!
Har.
Behold your lover, Gemma! (to Lorenzo)
You are free—
I give you back your galley and your bride.
Return with them to Naxos.
Gem.
Oh, Lorenzo!
'T is too much joy! I thought thee lost for ever.
Thou art not wounded?
Lor.
Only in my soul,
To think I owe thee to that Pirate's mercy.
What, wilt thou linger here?
Gem.
Oh, let me thank thee,
Harold, this once! I must!
Har.
What didst thou say?
I did not hear thee. Now farewell for ever!
Be happy, Gemma, and forget the home
In which thou wert not happy.
[Turns away.
Gem.
Harold, Harold!
[Lorenzo hurries her away.
Thor.
She loves her false Venetian! Can it be?
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An arrow through his heart!
Har.
Be silent, Thorbrand.
[Lorenzo's ship separates from Harold's.
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