University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Gemma of The Isles

Shore, Louisa (1824-1895)
  
Gemma of the Isles.
  
[castlist]

collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
Scene I.
collapse section2. 
ACT II.
 1. 
Scene I.
collapse section3. 
ACT III.
 1. 
Scene I.
 2. 
Scene II.
 3. 
Scene III.
 4. 
Scene IV.
 5. 
Scene V.
 6. 
Scene VI.
 7. 
Scene VII.
 8. 
Scene VIII.
 9. 
Scene IX.
 10. 
Scene X.
 11. 
Scene XI.
collapse section4. 
ACT IV.
 1. 
Scene I.
 2. 
Scene II.
 3. 
Scene III.
 4. 
Scene IV.
 5. 
Scene V.
 6. 
Scene VI.
 7. 
Scene VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
collapse section5. 
ACT V.
 1. 
Scene I.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Gemma of The Isles
next section

Scene X.

—Lorenzo's ship. Lorenzo, Gemma, and Sailors.
Gem.
He would not hear my last words. Ah, Lorenzo!
E'en when we love and are loved, we can suffer!
There 's a remorse I cannot rid my heart of—
And yet, how could I help it? How you look!
Can you still see him, that you lean so far
O'er the ship's side? Is he still there on deck?

Lor.
There goes a man whom I shall kill one day.

Gem.
What did you say? tell me, for well I know
By that quick undertone, and gasping breath,
Although you smile, that you are fiercely angry.

Lor.
The wind is changing to the west. Soon, Gemma,
We shall reach land—in triumph they will think.

Gem.
Now own that he is generous, my Lorenzo!
Is he not noble?

Lor.
What would I not own,
When you look up to me with those large eyes,
59

And hold my hand with such a pleading clasp?
He shall be all you choose.

Gem.
Now do not jest,
But say you pity him.

Lor.
Not pity—no,
But envy him.

Gem.
For what?

Lor.
Those tender tears.—
The Dane lies-to as though regretfully,
And loath to lose sight of his prize forgone.
Let him regret! he never shall again
Surprise our carelessness.

Gem.
You know we owe him,
You, life, and I, my all of happiness.
Why do those dark brows meet so angrily?

Lor.
Because I rather would have lost that life,
Than owed it to his mercy and your prayers.
Do you know I wonder that this mighty Dane,
Repenting of his clemency sublime,
Turns not again upon his parting steps
To snatch you back. He should not find it easy!
Ere I would yield you now......

Gem.
How you mistake him!
Never, Lorenzo, has he broke his word.

Lor.
These northern virtues! oh, how well by heart
You know them all.—Are you prepared to be
The heroine of a rapturous return?
60

When first I brought you to these shores, 't was night—
Gemma, 't was on this very deck you slept!

Gem.
This very deck, oh heaven! and yet, to think
Mine eyes remember nothing of all this!
Sit down and tell me once more of your voyage.

Lor.
And never, never, has your secret heart
Whispered a wish that voyage had not been?

Gem.
Unkind Lorenzo! but you shall not vex me—
I know you are jesting, for you know I love you.

previous section Gemma of The Isles
next section