 | Gemma of The Isles |  |
Scene V.
—The Piazza before the Cathedral doors. A crowd waiting for the wedding procession.Nax.
(singing)
Lo, the gay courtiers flashing in and out,
Like the uncertain lightnings of the sun,
Ere, scattering the vicissitudes of doubt,
The broad, clear blaze of summer has begun!
Like the uncertain lightnings of the sun,
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The broad, clear blaze of summer has begun!
And hark, the trumpet's fitful burst of speech,
Dropped as in haste, and then snatched up again,
With an impatient joy and pain in each,
As if a light just seen had vanished in disdain!—
Now, now the music in its passionate pride
Breaks into frenzy to announce the bride!
Dropped as in haste, and then snatched up again,
With an impatient joy and pain in each,
As if a light just seen had vanished in disdain!—
Now, now the music in its passionate pride
Breaks into frenzy to announce the bride!
Through the gay tumult of colours, a light,
A glory shines forward—'t is she! it is she!
Sweet wonder! she dawns—oh, the painful delight!—
On eyes that are well nigh too dazzled to see.
A glory shines forward—'t is she! it is she!
Sweet wonder! she dawns—oh, the painful delight!—
On eyes that are well nigh too dazzled to see.
How the white light of her veil streaming loose
Over that splendour of purple array,
Is stained with the blush of her beauty, the hues
Without lines, like a cloud in the dawn of the day!
Over that splendour of purple array,
Is stained with the blush of her beauty, the hues
Without lines, like a cloud in the dawn of the day!
Enter Gemma, Lorenzo, Zilia, and wedding procession. Gemma alights from her litter, and they prepare to enter the Cathedral. Enter Thorbrand and approaches Gemma.
Lor.
Stand back, barbarian! Guards, surround and seize him!
Thor.
Fools! think you, you can hold me? Unarmed, worn
With shipwreck and with hunger, I am free
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Lor.
A bridegroom's hand
Should not shed blood upon his wedding-morn,
Or I might teach thee better. Crossbow-men,
See he escape not.
Gem.
It is Thorbrand! Oh!
Lorenzo, let him speak! They must not hurt him—
He is my friend. Oh, let him speak to me!
I would be kind to all the world to-day.
Zil.
This must not be......
Lor.
Nay, let her have her will then!
Gem.
Thou art ghastly, Thorbrand! What has befallen thee?
Thor.
I have a thing to say to thee.
Gem.
Say on!
Thor.
First, I am bound by oath to one I honoured,
Never to draw a sword upon these isles,
So that I cannot with mine own right hand
Take vengeance for the wrong that has been done me.
Gem.
What wrong—what wrong, oh, Thorbrand?
Thor.
Gemma, know
The sacred laws of hospitality
Last night were impiously profaned in Naxos,
So that the dreadful fame of it will ring,
Like funeral bells, amongst these isles for ever.
And if thou wert consenting to the deed,
Be thou the curse of nations to all time—
If not, do justice on the murderer.
Lor.
Ruffian, stand off!
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No, let me—let me hear!
Tell me what deed, tell me what murderer!
Thor.
Harold, the earl, was shipwrecked yesternight,
On thine own shores, and on these shores that night
Thy bridegroom murdered him!
Gem.
What means all this?
What does he mean, Lorenzo?
Lor.
Seize the Dane!
[Thorbrand breaks loose from the guards.
Pursue him! Crossbow-men, let fly! Now, on!
On to the wedding! We will speak of this
Hereafter, Gemma.
Zil.
Why, my Princess, heed,
At such a moment, yon barbarian's ravings?
Saw you not 't was a madman?
Gem.
Only tell me—
What did he mean, Lorenzo?
Lor.
Nay, you heard!
Since you will know the truth, it must be told!
You have done ill to give ear to this pirate—
For your own sake, I would have hindered you.
Harold indeed is dead. Trust me, the deed
Was just and necessary! For the rest......
Gem.
You have broke my heart!
[Faints.
Zil.
Give her to me! Nay, fear not,
This will be nothing.
Lor.
Back to the palace! Mother,
No wedding for to day, thanks to that ruffian!
[Exeunt.
| Gemma of The Isles | |