Julian, A Tragedy in Five Acts -- The Versioning Machine 5.0

Bibliographic Information

Julian, A Tragedy in Five Acts

by Mitford, Mary Russell

Original Source

Mitford’s manuscript as submitted to the Lord Chamberlain’s office on 5 March 1823 from microfiche of the manuscript in the The Lord Chamberlain’s Plays (the Larpent Plays) of 1743-January 1824. Digitized reproduction of the 2nd edition of

Julian, A Tragedy in Five Acts

by Mary Russell Mitford London G. and W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria Lane. 1823 . Digitized by Google Books Feb 23, 2006. Digitized reproduction of the edition produced in the Dramatic Works of 1854.

Witness List

Witness ms: Mitford’s manuscript as submitted to the Lord Chamberlain’s office on 5 March 1823 from microfiche of the manuscript in the The Lord Chamberlain’s Plays (the Larpent Plays) of 1743-January 1824.
Witness pub_1823: Digitized reproduction of the 2nd edition of Julian, A Tragedy in Five Acts by Mary Russell Mitford London G. and W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria Lane. 1823 . Digitized by Google Books Feb 23, 2006.
Witness pub_1854: Digitized reproduction of the edition produced in the Dramatic Works of 1854.

Electronic Edition Information:

Responsibility Statement:

Transcription, structural, and versioning markup to compare manuscript and 1823 publication in 2013 by Megan Hughes and Elisa Beshero-Bondar
Proofing and corrections by
Sponsored by Mary Russell Mitford Society: Digital Mitford Project

Publication Details:

Digital Mitford: The Mary Russell Mitford Archive Greensburg, PA, USA 2013 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Encoding Principles

TEI P5 conformant: We are coding this to compare the manuscript of the play submitted to the Lord Chamberlain’s office with the published version, using the witness encoding apparatus provided by the TEI. Page breaks recorded here are in the manuscript version. We have not indicated the change in abbreviation of character names from manuscript to print, since these seem insignificant, but rather have concentrated on recording variations in punctuation, word choice, and lineation of speeches.

In representing Mitford’s manuscript, Mitford’s spelling and punctuation are retained, except where a word is split at the end of a line and the beginning of the next. Where Mitford’s spelling and hyphenation of words deviates from the standard, in order to facilitate searching we are using the TEI elements “choice,” “sic,” and “reg” to encode both Mitford’s spelling and the regular international standard of Oxford English spelling, following the first listed spelling in the Oxford English Dictionary. The long s and ligatured forms are not encoded.

Version ms: Mitford’s manuscript as submitted to the Lord Chamberlain’s office on 5 March 1823 from microfiche of the manuscript in the The Lord Chamberlain’s Plays (the Larpent Plays) of 1743-January 1824.

Act 1:

Scene 1:

An Elegant apartment in the royal palace. The windows opening on a Balcony, adorned with flowers.

An Apartment in the Royal Palace.

Julian sleeping on a couch—Annabel

An Apartment in the Royal Palace. Julian sleeping on a Couch. Annabel.

Annab.

;

still he sleeps

—

’Twas but the myrtle bud

Tapping against the casement, as the wind

Stirred in the leafy branches. Well he loved

That pleasant bird-like sound, which, as a voice

Summoned

Summon’d

us forth into the fresher air

Of eve, or early morn. Ah! when again—

And yet his sleep is hopeful. For seven nights

He had not tasted slumber. Who comes here?

Enter Alfonso

, (as Theodore)

as Theodore

The gentle page! Alas! To wake him now!

Hush, Theodore! Tread softly—softlier, boy!

Alfon-

Doth he still sleep?

Annab.

Speak lower.

Alfon

Doth he sleep?

Annab

Come this way, Theodore! Here, close to me

Avoid the couch; come this way; close to me.

He sleeps. He hath not

mov’d

moved

in all the hours

That thou hast been away.

Alfon.

Then we may hope,

Dear lady, we may hope!

Annab.

Alas! Alas!

See how he lies, scarce breathing. Whilst I hung

Over his couch

I should have thought him dead,

but for his short and frequent sighs.

Alfon

Ah me!

Not even in slumber can he lose the sense

Of that deep

misery. And

misery; and

I—he wakes!

Dost thou not see the quivering mantle heave

With sudden motion?

Annab.

Thou hast wakened him.

Thy clamorous grief hath roused him. Hence!

egone!

Alfon.

And yet his eyes are closed. He sleeps.

He did but move his hand.

Annab.

How changed he is!

How pale!

ow wasted! Can one little week

Of pain and sickness so have faded thee,

My princely Julian! But eight days ago

There lived not in this gladsome Sicily

So glad a spirit. Voice, and step, and eye,

All were one happiness

;

till that dread hour,

When

drest in sparkling smiles, radiant and glowing,

With tender thoughts, he flew to meet the King

And his great father. He went forth alone

;

Frenzy and grief came back with him.

~~Annab.~~

Alf.

And I,

Another grief.

Annab.

Thou wast a comforter.

All stranger as thou art, hast thou not shared

My watch as carefully, as faithfully,

As I had been thy sister?

Aye, and he

Alf.

Ann.

Alfon.

I never heard before

That ’twas to meet the

ing

that

yon

fatal night

—

Knowingly, purposely

—

How could he guess

That they should meet? What moved him to that thought?

Annab.

Stranger,

altho’

although

thou be, thou

can’st

canst

but know

Prince Julian’s father is the regent here,

And rules for his young kinsman

, King Alfonso.

King Alfonso!

Alfon.

Aye!-- for Alfonso?

Aye—Poor Alfonso!

Annab.

Where

Wherefore

pity him?

Alfon.

I know not

;

—

but I am an

rphan too

I interrupt thee,

ady.

Annab.

Yet, in truth,

A gentle pity lingers round the name

Of King Alfonso

orphaned, as thou say

’

st,

And drooping into sickness

when he lost

His father

—E

, e

ver since, the mournful boy

Hath dwelt in the Villa d’Oro.

Alf.

Hast thou seen him?

Annab.

The King? No— I’m of Naples. When Prince Julian

First brought me here

a bride, his royal cousin

Was fixed beside his father’s dying bed.

I never saw him

yet I know him well

;

For I have sate

and

listened

listen’d,

hour by hour,

To hear my husband speak of the fair

prince

Prince,

And his excelling virtues.

Alf.

Did he?

Ah!

—Ah!--

But ’twas his wont, talking of those he loved,

To gild them with the rich, and

burnished

burnish’d

glow

Of his own brightness, as the evening sun

Decks all the clouds in glory.

Annab.

Very dear

Was that young boy to Julian

—’twas

. ’Twas

a friendship

Fonder than common, blended with a kind

Protecting tenderness; such as brother

Mightly

Might fitly

shew unto the younger born.

Alfon.

he hath proved it.

Annab.

Thou dost know them both?

Alfon.

I do. Say on, dear

ady.

Annab.

Three weeks since

The Duke of Melfi went to bring his ward

Here to Messina

—

Alfon.

To be crowned. They came not

But wherefore went Prince Julian forth to meet them?

Annab.

Father nor cousin came

, nor Messenger

; nor messenger,

From Regent or from King; and Julian chafed

And fretted at delay. At length, a peasant

Brought tidings that the royal two

that morn

Left Villa d’Oro. Glowing from the

chace,

chase

Prince Julian stood, the bridle in his hand,

New lighted, soothing now his prancing steed.

And prattling now to me. He heard the tale,

105

And instant sprang again into his seat,

109

He spake no word; but, as he passed,

110

Just glanced back at me, with his

gladsome

dancing

eyes,

111

And such a smile of joy, and such a wave

112

Of his plumed bonnet

—

His return thou know’st.

Alfon.

113

I was

its

his

wretched partner.

Annab.

114

He on foot,

115

Thou on the

o’er travell’d horse;

o’er-travelled horse,

slow, yet all stained

116

With sweat, and panting, as if

fresh

escaped

117

From hot pursuit; and how he called for wine

118

For his poor Theodore, his faithful page

;

119

Then sate him down

and shook with the cold fit

120

Of anguish fever, till the strong couch rocked

121

Like a child’s cradle. There he sate and

sighed,

sigh’d;

122

And then the frenzy came. Theodore!

Alfon.

123

Lady!

Annab.

124

He utters nought but madness

;

;—

yet sometimes,

125

Athwart his ravings, I have thought—

have feared—

126

Theodore, thou must know the cause

Alfon.

127

Too well.

Annab.

128

Oh, tell me

—

Alfon.

129

Hush!

e wakes

Alfonso retires behind the couch, out of Julian’s sight.

Annab.

Going to Julian, whilst Alfonso keeps behind the couch, out of his sight

130

Julian! dear Julian!

Julian! Dear Julian!

Julian

131

Sure I have slept a long, long while! Where am I?

132

How came I hither? Whose kind hand is this?

133

My Annabel!

Annab.

134

Oh, what a happiness

135

To see thee

gently

wake from gentle sleep!

136

Art thou not better? Shall I raise thee up?

Julian

137

Aye, dearest. Have I

then been ill? I’m weak,

138

I trouble thee, my sweet one.

Annab.

139

’Tis a joy

140

To minister unto thee.

Julian

141

Wipe my brow

142

And part these locks, that the fresh air may cool

143

My forehead

—Feel,

; feel;

it burns.

Annab.

144

Alas! how wild

145

This long neglect hath made thy glossy curls

146

How tangled!

Julian

147

I am faint. Pray

lay me down.

148

Surely the day is stifling

Annab.

149

There.

—

Good boy.

150

Throw wide the casement. Doth not the soft breeze

151

Revive thee?

Julian

152

I am better. I will rise. So, dear wife,

155

A sick man is as wayward as a child;

156

Forgive me. I have I been long ill.

Have I been long ill?

Annab.

157

A week.

Julian

158

I have no memory of aught. ’Tis just

159

Like waking from a dream

;

a horrible

160

Confusion of strange miseries

;

crime and blood

161

And all I love.— Great

eaven, how clear it seems!

162

How like a truth! I thought that I rode forth

163

On my white Barbary horse

—

Say, did I ride

164

Alone that day?

Annab.

165

Yes.

Julian.

166

Did I? Could I? No.

167

Thou dost mistake. I did not. Yet

’tis strange

168

How plain that horror lives within my brain

169

As what hath been.

Annab.

170

Forget it.

Julian.

171

Annabel,

172

I thought I was upon that gallant steed

173

At his full pace. Like clouds before the wind

174

We flew, as easily as the strong bird

175

That soars nearest the sun

, till,

; till

in a pass,

176

Between the mountains, screams and cries

for

help

177

Rang in mine ears, and I beheld—O

heav’n

God

178

It was not—

could not—no! no!

Could not—No.

I have been sick

179

Of a sharp fever, and delirium shews,

180

And to the bodily sense makes palpable

181

Unreal forms, objects of sight and sound

182

Which have no being

save in the burning brain

183

Of the poor sufferer. Why should it shake me

Annab.

184

Could

’

st thou walk to the window

and quaff down

185

The fragrant breeze, it would revive thee more

186

Than food or sleep. Forget these evil dreams.

187

Can

’

st thou not walk?

Julian.

188

I’ll try.

Annab.

189

Lean upon me,

190

And Theodore. Approach dear boy; support him.

Alfonso approaches Julian Julian.

Eyeing him

seeing Alfonso

191

Ha!

art thou there? Thou? I am blinded. dazzled.

Art thou here? Thou! I am blinded, dazzled!

192

Is this a vision

this fair shape

that seems

193

A living child? Do I dream now?

Annab.

194

He is

195

Young Theodore

, the

. The

page, who that sad night

196

Returned

—

Julian.

197

Then

all is real. Lay me down

198

That I may die

Alfon.

199

Alas! I feared too surely

200

That when he saw me,—

Annab.

201

Julian! This is grief

202

Not sickness

Julian!

Alfon.

203

Rouse him not, dear

ady!

204

See how his hands are clenched

!--

Waken him not

205

To frenzy

! Oh,

. Oh

that I alone could bear

206

This weight of misery

Annab.

207

He knows the cause,

208

And I— It is my right, my privilege

209

To share thy woes, to soothe them. I’ll weep with thee,

210

And that will be a comfort. Did

’

st thou think

211

Thou could’st be dearer to me than before

212

When thou wast well and happy? But thou art

213

Now. Tell me this secret.

~~Oh, spare my heart~~

I’ll be faithful,

214

I’ll never breathe a word.

—Oh,

spare my heart

215

This agony of doubt! What was the

~~horror~~

horror

216

That maddened thee?

Julian.

217

Within the rifted rocks

218

Of high Albano, rotting in a glen,

219

Dark, dark at very noon, a father lies

220

Murdered by his own son.

Annab.

221

And thou did

’

st see

222

The deed! An

aweful

awful

sight to one so good!

223

Yet—

Julian.

224

Birds obscene, and wolf, and ravening fox,

225

Ere this— only the dark hairs on the ground.

226

And the brown crusted blood! And she can ask

227

Why I am mad!

Annab.

228

Oh! a thrice

aweful

awful

night

229

To one so duteous! Holy priests should lave

230

With blessed water that foul spot, and thou,

231

Pious and pitying, thou shalt—

Julian.

232

Hear at once,

233

Innocent

torturer; that, drop by drop,

Torturer, that drop by drop

234

Pour’st

moulten

molten

lead into my wounds

, that

—that

glen—

235

Hang not upon me

—In that darksome glen

236

My father lies. I am a murderer

237

A parricide

! Accurst of god and man!

, accurst of God and man.

238

Let go my hand

. Purest

! purest

and whitest saint,

239

Let go

Annab.

240

This is a madness. Even now

241

The fever shakes him.

Julian.

242

Why, the mad are happy

243

Annabel, this is a soul-slaying truth.

244

There stands a witness.

Alfon.

245

Julian knew him not.

246

It was to save a life, a worthless life

247

that I had but died beneath the sword

248

Which seemed to tremble!

That seemed so terrible!

That I had ne’er

249

Been born to grieve thee

Julian! Pardon me,

250

Dear

ady, pardon me!

Annab.

251

Oh, gentle boy,

252

How shall we soothe this grief?

Alfon.

253

Alas

alas!

254

Why did he rescue me

I’m a poor orphan;

255

None would have wept for me

;

I had no friend

256

In all the world

, but one.

save one. I had been reared

257

Shame on me, that I shunned the sword

Julian.

258

heaven

Heaven,

259

It could not be a crime to save thee!

Kneel

kneel

260

Before him, Annabel. He is the

King.

king

Annab.

261

Alfonso

Alfon.

262

Aye, so please you, fairest Cousin,

263

But still your servant. Do not hate me,

ady,

264

Tho’

Though

I have caused this misery. We have shared

265

One care, one fear, one hope

; have watched &

, have watched and

wept

266

Together! Oh,

Together. Oh

how often I have longed,

267

As we sate silent by his restless couch,

268

To fall upon thy neck

and mix our

~~fears~~

tears,

269

And talk of him. I am his own poor Cousin.

270

Thou wilt not hate me

Annab.

271

Save that lost one, who

272

Could hate such innocence?

Julian.

273

’Twas not in hate,

274

But wild ambition. No ignoble sin

275

Dwelt in his breast. Ambition, mad ambition,

276

That was his

dol. To that bloody god

277

He offered up the

milk white

milk-white

sacrifice,

278

The pure, unspotted

ictim. And even then,

279

Even in the crime, without a breathing space

280

For penitence, or prayer, my sword—Alfonso,

281

Thou would’st have gone to

eaven.

Annab.

282

Art thou certain

283

That he is dead?

Julian.

284

I saw him fall. The ground

285

Was covered with his blood.

Annab.

286

Tell me the tale.

287

Did

’

st thou— I would not wantonly recall

288

That scene of anguish

—

Did

’

st thou search his wound?

Julian.

289

Annabel, in my eyes that scene will dwell

290

For ever, shutting out all lovely sights,

291

Even thee, my Beautiful! That torturing thought

292

Will burn

a living fire within my breast

293

Perpetually; words can nothing add,

294

And nothing take away. Fear not my frenzy;

295

I am calm now. Thou know’st how buoyantly

296

I darted from

the straight,

thee, straight

o’er vale

and

hill,

297

Counting the miles by minutes. At the pass

298

Between the Albano mountains, I

first breathed

299

A moment my hot steed, expecting still

300

To see the royal escort. Afar off

301

As I stood, shading with my hand my eyes,

302

I thought I saw them; when

, at once,

at once

I heard

303

From the deep glen, east of the pass, loud cries

304

Of mortal terror. Even in agony

305

I knew the voice, and darting

thro’

through

the trees.

306

I saw Alfonso, prostrate on the ground,

307

Clinging around the knees of one, who held

308

A dagger over him

in act to strike,

309

Yet

with averted head, as if he feared

310

To see his innocent victim. His own face

311

Was hidden

;

till at one spring I plunged my sword

318

Here, here

, he

. He

died.

Annab.

319

And thou

—

Julian.

320

I could have lain

321

In that dark glen for ever; but there stood

322

The

dear-bought and the dear

dear-bought, and the dear,

kinsman and prince

323

And friend. We heard the far-off clang of steeds

324

And armed men, and fearing some new foe,

325

Came homeward.

Annab.

326

And did he, then, the unhappy,

327

Remain upon the ground?

Julisn.

328

Alas! he did.

Annab.

329

Oh! it was but a swoon. Listen, dear Julian,

330

I tell thee

I have comfort.

Julian.

331

There is none

332

Left in the world. But I will listen to thee

333

aithfullest.

Annab.

334

Count D’Alba sent to crave

335

An audience. Thou wast sleeping. I refused

336

To see him; but his messenger revealed

337

To Constance his high tidings, which she poured

338

In my unwilling ears

;

for I so feared

339

To wake thee, that ere half her tale was told

340

I chid her from me

. Yet

; yet

she surely said

341

The Duke

thy father—

Julian.

342

What?

Annab.

343

Approached the city.

Julian.

344

Alive? Alive?

Oh! no!

Oh no!

no! no! Dead! Dead!

345

The corse

! the clay cold

, the clay-cold

corse!

Annab.

346

Alive, I think;

347

But Constance—

Julian.

Alf.

348

He will sink under this shock

349

Of hope.

Annab.

350

Constance heard all.

Julian.

351

Constance! What ho

352

Constance!

Annab.

353

She hears thee not.

Julian.

354

Go seek her

,—fly

! Fly

355

If he’s alive

, why

—Why

art thou not returned

356

When that one little word will save two souls

Exit Annabel. Alfon.

357

Take patience, dearest

cousin.

Cousin!

Julian.

358

Do I not stand

359

Here

like a man of marble? Do I stir?

360

She creeps; she creeps. Thou would’st have gone and back

361

In half the time.

Alfon.

362

Nay, nay, ’tis scarce a minute.

Julian.

363

Thou may’st count hours and ages on my heart.

—

364

Is she not coming?

Alfon.

365

Shall I seek her?

Julian.

366

Hark!

367

They’ve met. There are two steps; two silken gowns

368

Rustling

;

one whispering voice. Annabel! Constance

369

Is he—one word!

—

Only one word!

Enter Annabel. Annab.

370

He lives

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch. Alfonso & Annabel go to him. Scene drops.

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch; Alfonso and Annabel go to him, and the scene falls.

End of the First Act.

Act 2d.

II.

Scene 1

A splendid Hall of Audience in the

Royal Palace.

royal Palace, magnificently decorated.

D’Alba and Bertone, entering.

D’Alba and Bertone.

D’Alba.

373

Again refuse to see me!

Bert.

374

Nay, my lord,

375

She’s still beside her husband’s couch, and Paolo

376

Refused to bear the message.

D’Alba.

377

Even her lacquey

378

Reads my hot love

and her contempt

No matter

379

How’s Julian?

Bert.

380

Mending fast.

D’Alba.

381

He’ll live! He’ll live!

382

She watches over him, making an air

383

With her sweet

breath. He’ll

breath;—he’ll

be immortal! Yet

384

If that dark tale be true

, or half.

—or half—

Bertone,

385

Haste to the

court of guard. Seek

Court of Guard; seek

Juan Castro,

386

A Spanish soldier

. Lead

; lead

him home. I’ll join ye.

387

Hence! I expect the Barons, whom I summoned

388

To meet me here. Come back

See if the Princess

389

Will now admit me. No!

—’Twould

’twould

wake suspicion.

390

Hence to the Court of Guard

Exit Bertone

391

I think that scorn

392

Doth fan love more than beauty. Twice to-day

393

Have I paced patiently these royal halls,

394

Like some expecting needy courtier. Swell not,

395

Proud charmer, thy vast debt! Where lag these Barons?

396

Methinks this change might rouse—

Enter Calvi, followed by other

Lords

Nobles

397

Ha, Calvi! Welcome.

Ha! Calvi, welcome.

Calvi.

398

A fair good morrow, D’Alba

D’Alba.

399

Hast thou heard

400

These heavy tidings? The young king

King—

Meeting the other lords, as they drop in

Approaching to meet the other Lords as they enter.

401

My Lords,

402

Good morrow’s out of date

Know ye the news?

Calvi.

403

Alfonso’s dead!--

Alfonso dead?

D’Alba.

404

Murdered

Calvi.

405

And Melfi, King?

And Melfi King.

D’Alba.

406

Giving a Letter Aye, here’s a letter from the great regent.—

Aye, here’s a letter.giving a letter to Calvi.

408

Pshaw! How my rude tongue

From the great Regent—Pshaw! how my rude tongue

410

Stumbles at these new dignities

! The

!--the

King.

411

Therefore I summoned ye. He will be here

412

Anon.

Enter Valore and other Nobles.

413

Valore, thou art late.

Valore.

414

This tale

415

Puts lead into men’s heels. How fell it?

D’Alba.

416

Read

417

Count Calvi! Read!

Calvi. reads

Alfonso being dead, and I hurt almost to death, they left me fainting on the ground, where I lay

till a poor

but honest

muleteer bore me to his hut.—-

418

He hath been wounded!

D’Alba.

427

He’s alive. The boy only,

He’s alive. The boy!

428

Only the pretty boy! Read on. Read on

Calvi. reads

Make known these missives to our loyal people. We shall follow them straight. From your loving cousin,

"The King."

438

The King!

Valore.

439

The King. How he will wear his state!

How proudly he will wear his state.

Why, D’Alba,

440

Thy worshipped Annabel chose well

. She’ll

; she’ll

441

A Queen.

D’Alba.

442

Yet

my poor title, had she graced it,

443

Comes by

unquestioned

unquestion’d

sheer descent,

unstained

unstain’d

444

By dark, mysterious murder. My good

Fathers,

fathers

—

445

Heaven rest their souls!

lie

—lie

safely in the churchyard,

446

A simple race

! Whilst

; whilst

these high

rinces—Sirs,

447

These palace walls have echoes, or I’d tell ye

—

448

’Tis a deep riddle

—

but amongst them all

449

The pretty boy is dead.

Enter Leanti

450

Leanti!

Leanti.

451

Lords,

452

The King is at the gate.

D’Alba.

453

The King! Now, Sirs,

454

Don your quick smiles, and bend your supple knees

;

—

455

The King!

Enter Melfi. aside

456

He’s pale

,—he

, he

hath been hurt.aloud My liege,

457

Your vassals bid you welcome.

Melfi.

458

Noble Signors,

459

I greet you well. Thanks, D’Alba. Good Leanti

460

I joy to see those reverend locks. I never

461

Thought to behold a friendly face again.

462

And now I bring ye sorrow. Death hath been

463

Too busy

, tho’

; though

the ripe and bearded ear

464

Escaped

Escap’d

his sickle—but ye know the tale;

465

Ye welcomed me as King

;

and I am spared

466

The painful repetition.

Valore.

467

Sire, we know

468

From your own royal hand enough for joy

469

And sorrow. Death hath ta’en a goodly

boy,

child

470

And spared a glorious man. But how—

Melfi.

471

My lord,

472

What wouldst thou more? Before I entered here

473

Messina’s general voice had hailed her Sovereign

474

Lacks but the ceremonial form. ’Twere best

475

Th’

The

accustomed pageant were performed even now,

476

Whilst ye, Sicilian Barons, strength

and

grace

477

Of our Sicilian realm, are here to pledge

478

Solemn allegiance. Say I sooth, Count D’Alba?

D’Alba.

479

In sooth my liege, I know not. Seems to me

480

One form is wanting. Our bereaved state

481

Stands like a widow, one eye dropping tears

482

For her lost lord, the other turned with smiles

483

On her new bridegroom. But even she, the Dame

484

Of Ephesus, the buxom relict, famed

485

For quick dispatch o’er every widowed mate,

486

Woman or state

—

even she, before she wed,

487

Saw the good man entombed. The

funeral first,

Funeral first;

488

And then the

coronation!

Coronation.

Melfi.

489

Scoffer! Lords,

490

The corse is missing.

Calvi.

491

Ha!

perchance he lives.

Perchance he lives?

Melfi.

492

He fell, I tell thee.

Valore.

493

And the Assassin is?—

And the Assassin?

Melfi.

494

He escaped

495

When I, too, fell.

Escaped, when I too fell.

D’Alba.

496

He! Why, my liege,

497

Was there but one?

Melfi.

498

What mean ye, Sirs? Stand off

D’Alba.

499

Cannot your Highness guess the murderer?

Melfi.

500

Stand from about me, Lords! Dare ye to front

501

A King? What

d’ye

do ye

doubt me

;

you, or you?

502

Dare ye to doubt me? Dare ye look a question

503

Into mine eyes? Take thy gaze off! A

king

King

504

Demands a modester regard. Now, Sirs,

505

What do ye seek? I tell ye, the fair boy

506

Fell underneath the

Assassin’s sword,

assassin’s sword;

and I,

507

Wounded almost to death, am saved to prove

508

My subjects’ faith, to punish, to reward,

509

To reign, I tell ye, nobles. Now, who questions?

510

Who glares upon me now?

What,

What!

are ye mute?

Leanti.

511

Deign to receive our homage, Sire, and pardon

512

The undesigned offence. Your

highness

Highness

knows

513

Count D’Alba’s mood.

Melfi.

514

And he knows mine. Well! Well!

515

Be all these heats forgotten.

A pause, during which, Melfi looks round the circle

Calvi. to D’Alba

516

How his eye

517

Wanders around the circle

Melfi.

518

Ye are met,

519

Barons of Sicily, in such august

520

And full assemblage

as may well beseem

521

Your office

;

honour well yourselves and me;

522

Yet one is missing,—greatest, first and best,—

523

My son. Knows not Prince Julian

that his father

524

Is here? Will he not come? Go, some one say

525

That I would see him.

Exit Calvi Valore.

526

Sire, the Prince hath lain

527

Sick of a desperate malady.

Melfi.

528

Alas!

And I—

sick, did’st

Sick didst

thou say?

Valore.

529

Eight days have passed

530

Since he hath left his couch.

Leanti.

531

He’s better now.

532

The gentle

princess, who,

Princess, who

with one young page

533

Hath tended him—

Melfi.

534

What page?

Leanti.

535

A stranger boy,

536

Seen but of few, young Theodore.

Melfi.

537

A stranger!

538

Say on. The

princess—

Princess—?

Leanti.

539

As I crossed the hall,

540

I met her

with her own glad step, her look

541

Of joy

, and when I asked how fared prince Julian,

; and when I asked how fared Prince Julian?

542

She put her white hands into mine, with such

543

A smile, and then passed on

—

Melfi.

544

Without a word?

Leanti.

545

Without a word, save the mute eloquence

546

Of that bright smile.

D’Alba.aside

547

Oh! ’twas enough! On him!

Oh ’twas enough! on him!

548

Smile on that dotard! Whilst I

—

aloud Why

my lords,

549

Here’s a fine natural sympathy

;

the son

550

Sickens at the father’s wound! The very day

,—

551

The very hour

He must have known the deed

;

—

552

Perchance

he knows the

Assassin.

assassin—

Melfi.

553

Stop

D’Alba.

554

My liege,

555

I speak it in his

honor

honour

. Many an heir

556

Had been right glad to step into a throne

557

Just as the mounting pulse of youth beat high

;—

558

A soldier

too!

And

and

with a bride so fair,

559

So delicate, so fashioned for a Queen

560

By cunning nature. But he—for full surely

561

He knew—

Melfi.

562

Stop—no, no, no—

Stop. No, no, no,

he knew it not!

563

He is my son

Enter Calvi,

follow’d

followed

by Julian. Calvi.

564

My liege, the Prince

,—

Melfi.

565

Already!

566

Pardon me, good my lords, that I request

567

A moment’s loneliness. We have been near

568

To death since last—Have touched upon the grave

—

569

And there are thoughts, which only our own hearts

570

Should hear. I pray ye

pardon me. I’ll join ye

571

Within the hour for the procession.

Exeunt D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi &c.

Melfi.

572

Julian!

573

Approach! Come nearer! Speak to me!

Julian.

574

My lord!

Melfi.

575

Has he forgot to call me father?

Julian.

576

Father!

Melfi.

577

I know what thou would’st say

. The hat

Julian.

578

What would’st thou? Thou didst summon me.

Melfi.

579

I did.

580

Thou hast been ill.

Jul.

Melfi.

Julian.

581

I’m well.

Melfi.

582

Fie! when thou

shakest

tremblest

so.

Julian.

583

I’m well.

Call not these thoughts again—

I have been

584

Sick, brainsick, heartsick, mad

! But that is past!

. I thought—I feared—

585

It was a foretaste of the pains of

ell

586

To be so mad

and yet retain the sense

587

Of that

which made me so.

But all is past,

But thou art here,

588

Is it not, father? Ne’er to live again,

And I—Oh nothing but a father’s heart

589

Even in a dream. Is it not past?

Could ever have forgiven!

Melfi.

590

No more.

No more. No more!

591

Thou hast not told me of thy wife

. They say

592

She has been a constant nurse to thee.

Julian.

593

My lord,

She waits

She, and one other—Oh that I might tell

594

The story of their goodness! She attends

595

To pay her duty

Melfi.

596

Stay

Count D’Alba looked

597

With evil eyes upon thee, and on me

598

Cast his accustomed tauntings. Is there aught

599

Amiss between ye?

Julian.

600

No.

Melfi.

601

He hath not yet

602

Perhaps forgotten your long rivalry

603

For Annabel’s fair hand. A dangerous meaning

604

Lived in those bitter gibes; a

Lurked in those bitter gibes. A

dangerous foe

605

Were D’Alba. Julian, the

sea-breeze

sea breeze

to thee

606

Brings

health and strength

health, and strength,

and joy. I have an errand

607

As far as Madrid. None so well as thou

608

Can bid it speed. There shalt away

to-day.

to day;—

609

Tis thy best medicine—Thou and thy young wife—

’Tis thy best medicine;—thou and thy young wife.

610

The wind is fair.

Julian.

611

To-day!

To day!

Melfi.

612

Have I not said?

Julian.

613

Send me

, just risen from a sick couch,

just risen from a sick couch

to Madrid!

614

Lead

Send

me from home, from thee! Banish me! Father,

615

Can

’

st thou not bear my sight?

Melfi.

616

I cannot bear

617

Contention. Must I needs remind thee, Julian,

618

I have also been ill?

Julian.

619

I’ll go

to-day

to day

620

How pale he is

I had not dared before

621

To look upon his face. I’ll go

to-day

to day

Melfi.

622

This very hour?

Julian.

623

This very hour.

Melfi.

624

My son

625

Now call thy—

Yet a moment—Where’s the boy?

yet a moment. Where’s the boy—

He shall aboard with thee—thy pretty page

Julian.

626

The king! Mean’st thou the king?

The King? Mean’st thou the King?

Melfi.

627

He, whom thou call’st—

Julian.

628

Wilt thou not say the

ing?

Melfi.

629

Young Theodore.

630

Harken, prince Julian. I am glad, right glad,

Hearken, Prince Julian! I am glad, right glad

631

Of what hath chanced. ’Twas well to bring him hither

632

And keep him at thy side. He shall away

633

To Spain with thee, that Theodore—Forget

634

All other titles. He’ll be glad of this.

635

A favorite page, a spoilt & petted boy

A favourite page, a spoilt and petted boy,

636

To lie in summer gardens, in the shade

637

Of orange groves, whose pearly blossoms fall

638

Amidst his clustering curls, and to his lute

639

Sing tenderest ditties

—such his happy lot.

,—such his happy lot;

640

Whilst I—

go,

Go,

bring thy wife.

Julian.

641

He is the

ing.

Melfi.

642

Call lady Annabel.

Julian.

643

The

king, I say!

King, I say,

644

The rightful

king! The only king!

King, the only King!

I’ll shed

645

The last drop in my veins for

king Alfonso!

King Alfonso.

Melfi.

646

Once I forgave thee. But to beard me thus,

647

And for a weak

and peevish youth, a faintling,

648

A boy of a girl’s temper

;

one who shrinks

649

Trembling and crouching at a look, a word,

650

A lifted finger, like a beaten hound

Julian.

651

Alas! poor boy

he hath no other friend

652

Since thou, who should’st defend him,—

Father! Father!

Father, Father,

653

Three months have scarcely passed since thy dear brother,

654

(Oh, surely thou loved

’

st him!) with the last words

655

He ever spake, besought thy guardian care

656

Of his fair child. Next upon me he turned

657

His dying eyes, quite speechless then, and thou

—

658

I could not speak, for poor Alfonso threw

659

Himself upon my breast

with such a

gust

gush

660

Of natural grief, I had no utterance—

661

But thou didst vow for both protection, faith

662

Allegiance; thou did

’

st swear so fervently,

663

So deeply, that the

Spirit flew to heaven

spirit flew to Heaven

664

Smiling

—

I’ll keep that oath.

Melfi.

665

Even if again—

Even if again thy sword—

Julian.

666

Urge not that thought

upon

me. ’Tis a fire

667

Here in my heart

; my brain. Bethink thee, father,

, my brain. Bethink thee, Father,

668

Soldier, Statesman

Soldier or statesman

, thine is the first name

669

Of Sicily, the General, Regent, Prince,

670

The unmatched in power, the unapproached in fame,—

The unmatch’d in power, the unapproach’d in fame;

671

What could that little word a

ing do more

672

For thee?

Melfi.

673

That little word! Why

that

is fame,

674

And power

and glory! That shall fill the world

675

Lend a whole age its name, and float along

676

The

Stream of Time

stream of time,

with such a buoyancy,

677

As shall endure when palaces and tombs

678

Are swept away like dust. That little word!

679

Beshrew thy womanish heart

that cannot feel

680

Its spell!

Guns without

Guns and shouts are heard without.

681

Hark! Hark! The

Guns! I feel it now

guns! I feel it now.

682

I am proclaimed. Before I entered here

683

’Twas known throughout the

City

city

that I lived,

684

And the boy-king was dead.

Hark! King Rugiero.

Guns, bells, and shouts again.

685

Dost hear the bells, the shouts? Oh

’tis a proud

686

And glorious feeling thus at once to live

687

Within a thousand bounding hearts, to hear

688

The strong out-gushing of that present fame

689

For whose uncertain dim futurity

690

Men toil, and slay, and die! Without a crime—

691

I thank thee still for that—

without a crime,—

Without a crime—

692

For he’ll be happier

,—I am a king!

—I am a King.

Shouts again.

693

Dost thou not hear

, Long live the King, Rugeiro!

Long live the King Rugiero?

Julian.

694

The shout is weak.

Melfi.

695

Augment it by thy voice.

696

Would the words choak

Prince Julian? Cannot he

697

Wish long life to his

ather?

Julian.

698

Live, my

ather!

699

Long live the Duke of Melfi!

Melfi.

700

Live the King!

Julian.

701

Long live the

king,

King

Alfonso!

Melfi.

702

Now, by

eaven,

703

Thou art still brainsick. There is a contagion

704

In the soft dreamy nature of that child,

705

That thou, a soldier—I was

over proud

overproud

706

Of thee

and thy young fame

, that

. That

lofty brow

707

Seemed made

Seem’d form’d

to wear a crown. Chiefly for thee—

708

Where is the

age?

Julian.

709

ather, once again

710

Take pity on us all! For me! For me!

711

Thou hast always been to me the kindest, fondest

—

712

Preventing all my wishes— I’ll not reason,

713

I’ll not contend with thee. Here at thy feet

714

Prostrate in spirit

as in form

I cry

715

For mercy! Save me from despair

from sin!

Melfi.

716

Unmanly,

rise!

est in that slavish posture

717

I treat thee as a slave.

Julian.

718

Smite an thou wilt,

Strike an thou wilt,

719

Thy words

strike deeper, to the very core.

pierce deeper, to the very core!

720

Smite an thou wilt, but hear me. Oh my father,

Strike an thou wilt; but hear me. Oh my Father,

721

I do conjure thee

by that name, by all

722

The boundless love it guerdons, spare my soul

723

This bitterness

Melfi.

724

I’ll reign.

Julian.

725

Aye,

reign, indeed!

reign indeed;

726

Reign over mightier realms! Be conqueror

Rule over mightier realms; be conqueror

727

Of crowned passions! King of thy own mind!

Of crowned passions; king of thy own mind.

728

I’ve ever loved thee as a son,

—Do this,

, do this

729

And I shall worship thee. I will cling to thee

;

730

Thou shalt not shake me off

Melfi.

731

Go to

—Thou’rt mad!

; thou art mad.

Julian.

732

Not yet; but thou may’st make me so.

Melfi.

733

I’ll make thee

734

The heir of a fair crown.

Julian.

735

Not all the power

736

Of all the earth can force upon my brow

737

That heritage of guilt. Cannot I die?

738

But that were happiness

! I’d ~~make thee~~rather drag

. I’d rather drag

739

A weary life

beneath the silent rule

740

Of the stern Trappist, digging my own grave

;

741

Myself a living corse

cut off from the sweet

742

And natural kindness that man shews to man

;

743

I’d rather hang, a hermit, on the steep

744

Of horrid Ætna, between snow and fire,

Of horrid Etna, between snow and fire;

745

Rather than sit

, a crowned and honoured prince,

a crown’d and honour’d prince

746

Guarded by children, tributaries, friends,

747

On an

surper’s throne.

Shouts and guns without

Guns without.

Melfi.

748

I must away.

749

We’ll talk of this anon. Where is the boy

Julian.

750

Safe.

Melfi.

751

Trifle not with my impatience, Julian

;

752

Produce the child.

However

Howe’er

thou may deny

753

Allegiance to the king, obey thy father.

Julian.

754

I had a father.

Melfi.

755

Ha!

Julian.

756

But he gave up

757

Faith, loyalty,

& honor

and honour

, and pure fame,

758

And his own son.

Melfi.

759

My son!

Julian.

760

I loved him once

761

And dearly. Still too dearly! But with all

762

That burning, aching, passionate old love

763

Wrestling within my breast

, even face to face,

; even face to face;

764

Those eyes upon me

;

and that trembling hand

765

Thrilling my very heartstrings—Take it off

766

In mercy, take it off

! Still I renounce thee,

!--Still I renounce thee.

767

Thou hast no son—I

Thou hast no son. I

have no father. Go

768

Down to a childless grave.

Melfi.

769

Even from the grave

770

A father’s curse may reach thee, clinging to thee

771

Cold as a dead man’s shroud, shadowing thy days,

772

Haunting thy dreams, and hanging, a thick cloud

773

’Twixt thee and

heaven. Then when,

Heaven. Then, when

perchance thine own

774

Small prattling pretty ones shall climb thy knee

775

And bid thee bless them, think of thy dead father,

776

And groan

as thou dost now.

Guns again

777

Hark! ’tis the hour

778

I must away. Back to thy chamber, son,

779

And chuse if I shall curse thee.

Exit

Exit Melfi.

Julian.

after a pause

780

Did he curse me?

781

Did he? Am I that withered, blasted wretch?

782

Is that the fire that burns my brain?

not yet,—

Not yet!

783

Oh, do not curse me

yet—

yet!

He’s gone. The boy!

784

The boy!

Exit

Rushes out.

End of Act 2d.

END OF THE SECOND ACT

Act 3d.

ACT III

Scene 1

SCENE.

The interior of a magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the foreground, with steps round it, and the figure of an old Warrior on the top,

A Magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the Foreground, with Steps round it, and the Figure of an old Warrior on the top.

D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi, and other nobles. Calvi.

785

Where stays the

ing?

Leanti

786

He’s robing

to assume

787

The Crown.

Calvi.

788

What a gloom reigns in the Cathedral!

789

Where are the people

who should make and grace

790

This pageant?

Valore.

791

’Tis too sudden.

D’Alba.

792

Saw ye not

793

How coldly, as the slow procession moved,

794

Men’s eyes were fixed upon him? Silently

795

We passed amid dull silence. I could hear

796

The chink of money, which the

eralds flung,

797

Reverberate on the pavement. They

who stooped

798

To gather up the

coin

, looked on the impress

799

Of young Alfonso, sighed

and shook their heads

800

As ’twere his funeral.

Calvi.

801

Methinks this place

802

The general tomb of his high

like,

line

doth cry

803

Shame on us! The mute citizens do mourn him

804

Better than we.

D’Alba

805

Therefore the gates are closed,

806

And none but peers of Sicily may pass

807

The guarded doors

Leanti.

808

Where is Prince Julian?

D’Alba.

809

Sick

810

Here comes the

mighty-one, and the great prelates,

Mighty One, and the great Prelates

811

That shall anoint his haughty brow; ’tis bent

812

With a stern joy

Enter Nobles, Bishops, ~~Abbots~~ &c. in procession. An Abbot, bearing the crown, and lastly Melfi, in royal robes.

Enter Melfi, in Royal Robes, preceded by Nobles, Officers, &c. bearing the Crown, Archbishop, Bishops, &c.

Melfi.

813

No! To no tapered shrine

! Here! This is my Altar;

814

The tomb of my great ancestor, who first

815

Won from the Paynim this Sicilian crown,

816

And wore it gloriously; whose name I bear

817

As I will bear his

honoured

honour’d

sceptre. Here,

818

At this most kingly

ltar, will I plight

819

My vow to Sicily, the nuptial vow

820

That links my fate to her

’

s. Here I’ll receive

821

Her Barons’ answering faith. Hear me, thou shade

822

Of great Rugiero, whilst I swear to guard

823

With heart and hand

the realm thy valour won,

824

The laws thy wisdom framed—brave legacy

825

To prince and people! to defend their rights

;

826

To rule in truth and justice

peacefully,

827

If peace may be; and with the aw

ful arm

828

Of lawful power to sweep the oppressor off

829

From thy blest Isle; to be the

peasants’ king,—

Peasants’ King—

830

Nobles, hear that!--the

peasant’s king and yours’

Peasants’ King and yours

831

Look down,

ancestral spirit

Ancestral Spirit

, on my oath,

832

And sanctify and bless it! Now the crown.

D’Alba.

833

What noise is that at the gate?

Melfi.

Archb.

Melfi.

D’Alba

Melfi.

834

Give me the crown,

835

And with a steady grasp it shall endue

836

These throbbing brows

that burn till they are bound

837

With that bright diadem.

Enter Julian quickly hurrying Alfonso along.

Enter Julian and Alfonso.

Julian

838

Stop! Place it here.

Stop. Place it here!

839

This is the King

the real, the only King!

840

The living King Alfonso!

Melfi.

841

Out, foul traitor!

842

’Tis an impostor.

Julian.

843

Look on him, Count D’Alba!

844

Calvi, Valore, look! Ye know him well.

845

And ye

that never saw him, know ye not

846

His father’s lineaments? Remove thy hand

847

From that fair forehead. ’Tis the pallid brow

848

Bent with pensiveness, the dropping eye

lid,

849

The womanish changing cheek

—his very self!

850

Look on him. Do ye know him? Do ye own

851

Your King?

Calvi.

852

’Tis he

D’Alba

853

The boy himself

Julian.

854

Now place

855

The crown upon his head

, and hear me swear

; and hear me swear

856

Low at his feet, as subject, kinsman,

rince,

857

Allegiance.

Alfon.

858

Rise, dear Cousin.

Julian.

859

Father, kneel,

860

Kneel here with me

thou, his first subject, thou

861

The guardian of the state, kneel first, and vow

862

Thy princely fealty.

Melfi. Julian.

to Alf.

Melfi

877

Off

cursed

Viper

viper

878

Off, ere I hurl thee on the stones!

Julian.

879

I’ve done

880

My duty. Was it not my duty?

Alfon.

881

Julian

882

Sit here by me

—

;

here on the steps.

D’Alba

883

Again

884

We must demand of thee,

Regent, once more,

my Lord of Melfi,

885

How chanced this tale of murder? Here’s our

rince,

886

Safe

and unhurt. But where’s the Assassin? Where

887

The regicide? Where he that wounded thee?

Melfi. Pointing to Julian

888

Demand of him.

D’Alba.

889

Where be

the

these

murderers?

890

Art sure thou saw’st them, Duke? Or was’t a freak

891

Of the deft Fay

Morgana? Did

’

st thou feel

892

The trenchant blade? Or, was the hurt thou talk’st of

893

A fairy wound, a phantasm? Once again

894

I warn thee

speak.

Melfi.

895

Demand Prince Julian, Sir,

896

This work is his.

D’Alba.

897

He speaks not. Little King,

898

What say’st thou?

Alfon.

899

Julian saved me.

D’Alba.

900

Saved! From whom?

901

From what

Alfon.

902

ing should have no memory

903

But for good deeds. My lords, an it so please you

904

We’ll to the

alace. I’ll not wear to-day

905

This crown

: Some fitting season,

. Some fitting season;

but not now.

906

I’m weary. Let us home.

D’Alba.

907

Aye, take him hence

908

Home with him, Count Valore. Stay by him

909

Till I come to ye. Leave him not

.—

Nay, Calvi,

910

Remain. Hence with the boy.

Alfon.

911

ousin Julian,

912

Wilt thou not go with us?

Julian.

913

I’ve done my duty

—

914

Was’t not my duty? But look there

look there!

915

I cannot go with thee. I am his now

916

All his

Alfon.

917

Uncle

—

Melfi.

918

Away,

bright worm

bright spotted worm

—

D’Alba

919

What

ho! the guard!

Alfon.

920

My lord, where Julian is

921

I need no guard. Question no more of this,

922

But follow us.

Exeunt

Valore, Alfonso,

Alfonso, Valore,

and other nobles.

Melfi.

923

I do contemn myself

924

That I hold silence. Warriors, kinsmen, friends,

925

Barons of Sicily, the valiant princes

926

Of this most fertile and thrice famous Isle,

927

Hear me! What yonder crafty Count hath dared,

928

With subtle question

and

derive

derisive

smile

929

To slide into a meaning, is as true

930

As he is false. I would be King

;

I’d reign

931

Over fair Sicily; I’d call myself

932

Your Sovereign, Princes; thine, Count D’Alba, thine,

933

Calvi, and old Leanti

:—We’ve been

—we were

comrades

934

Many a year in the rough path of war

935

And now ye know me all. I’ll be a King

936

Fit for this warlike nation, which brooks sway

937

Only of men. Yon slight fair boy is born

938

With a woman’s heart. Let him go tell his beads

939

For us

and for our kingdom

. I’ll be King,

, I’ll be King.

940

I’ll lend unto that title such a name

941

As shall enchase this bauble with one blaze

942

Of honour. I’ll lead on to glory,

ords,

943

And ye shall shine in the brightness of my fame

944

As planets round the sun. What say ye?

D’Alba.

945

Never!

Calvi and others.

Calvi, &c.

946

Never!

Melfi.

947

Say thou, Leanti, thou’rt a soldier

948

Worthy of the name

,—

a brave one! What say’st thou?

Leanti.

949

If young Alfonso—

D’Alba.

950

Peace

! Why,

. Why

this is well.

951

This morning I received a tale—I’m not

952

An over-believer in man’s excellence;

953

I know that in this slippery path of life

954

The firmest foot may fail; that there have been

955

Ere now

ambitious generals, grasping heirs,

956

Unnatural kinsmen, foul usurpers, murderers

!--

957

I know that man is frail, and might have fallen

958

Tho’ Eve had never lived

, albeit,

,—Albeit

I own

959

The smiling mischief’s potency. But this,

960

This tale was made up of such several sins,

961

All of them devilish, treason, treachery,

962

And pitiless cruelty made murder pale

963

With their red shame

. I doubt not readily,

,—I doubt not readily

964

When man and guilt are joined—but this the common

965

And general sympathy

that links our kind

966

Forbade to believe. Yet

, now,

now

before ye all,

967

His peers and mine, before the vacant throne

968

He sought to usurp, before the crown that fell

969

As conscious from his brow

I do arraign

970

Rugiero, Duke of Melfi, General, Peer,

971

Regent

and Prince, of

reason.

Melfi.

972

Treason! D’Alba

973

We quarrel not for words. Let these but follow

974

And bold emprise shall bear a happier name.

975

Sicilians, have ye lost your Island spirit?

976

Barons, is your ancient bravery tamed down

977

By this vain scoffer? I’ll to the people. They

978

Love their old soldier.

D’Alba.

979

Stop. Duke

I arraign thee

980

Of murder; planned, designed, attempted murder,

981

Though incomplete, on the thrice sacred person

982

Of young Alfonso, kinsman, ward, and

ing.

983

Wilt thou defend this too? Was’t a brave deed

984

To draw the

ssassin’s sword on that poor child?

985

Seize him!

Melfi.

986

Come near who dares! Where be thy proofs?

987

Where be thy witnesses?

D’Alba.

988

There’s one

Prince Julian,

989

Rouse thee!

He props himself against the tomb, as though

He sits erect and motionless

990

A statue too.—Only he trembles so.

As yon ancestral image. Doth he breathe?

991

Rouse thee, and answer

as before thy

god.

God,

992

As there is truth in

heaven, did’st

Heaven. Didst

thou not see

993

Thy father’s sword at young Alfonso’s breast?

994

Lay not the boy

already dead with fear,

995

At his false guardian’s feet? Answer!

Melfi.

996

Aye, speak,

997

Prince Julian! Dost thou falter now?

On! On!

On, on,

998

And drive the dagger home

On, on, I say.

Calvi.

999

We wait your Highness’ answer.

Leanti.

1000

First remove

1001

The prisoner, whil’st that look severely sad

1002

Is fastened on the witness, Truth is chained.

1003

He pants beneath the spell, as the charmed bird

1004

Fixed by the rattle-snake.

Julian. D’Alba. Julian. Calvi. D’Alba.

1016

He but smiles. Convey

Convey the Duke

1017

The Duke to the Hall of Justice. We shall follow.

To the Hall of Justice. We shall follow straight.

1018

summon Juan Castro thither. Hence!

1019

Why loiter ye?

Melfi.

1024

One

word with thee, Prince Julian.

1025

I pray ye, listen

; ’tis no treason, Lords.

, ’tis no treason, lords.

1026

I would but say, finish thy work

; play

. Play

well

1027

The part that thou hast chosen

; cast

. Cast

aside

1028

All filial yearnings

; be a gallant foe;

. Be a gallant foe.

1029

Rush onward through the fight

; trample me down:

. Trample me down.

1030

Tread on my neck

; be perfect in that quality,

. Be perfect in that quality

1031

Which thou call’st justice

; quell thy womanish weeping,

. Quell thy womanish weakness.

1032

Let me respect the enemy, whom once

1033

I thought my

son

Son

Julian.

1034

Once,

father

Father

Melfi.

1035

I’m no

father.

Father!

1036

Rouse not my soul to curse thee

Tempt me not

1037

To curse thy

mother. She,

Mother—She

whom once I deemed

1038

A saint in purity

. Be resolute.

; Be resolute,

1039

Palter

Falter

not with them. Lie not.

Julian.

1040

Did I ever?

—

Melfi.

1041

Finish thy work. On, soldiers

Exit, guarded.

Exit Melfi, guarded.

D’Alba.

1042

Answer,

rince!

1043

The Duke, as thou hast

heart

heard

, disclaims thee.

Julian.

1044

Dare not

1045

A man of ye say that. I am his son

—

1046

Tremble

lest my sword should prove me so

!--A

;—a

part

1047

Of his own being. He gave me this life,

1048

These senses, these affections. The quick blood

1049

That knocks so strongly at my heart is his—

1050

Would I might spill it for him! Had ye no fathers,

1051

Have ye no sons, that ye would train men up

1052

In parricide? I will not answer ye.

D’Alba.

1053

This passion is thy answer. Could’st thou say

1054

;

in that simple word were more comprised

1055

Than in a

word

world

of fiery eloquence.

1056

Can

’

st thou not utter No? ’Tis short and easy,

1057

The first sound that a stuttering babe will lisp

1058

To his fond nurse

; yet thy tongue stammers at it.

,—yet thy tongue stammers at it!

1059

I ask him if his father be at once

1060

Traitor and

murderer;

Murderer,

and he cannot say

1061

No!

Julian.

1062

Subtle

blood-thirsty fiend! I’ll answer

1063

To nought that thou can

’

st ask. Murderer! The

ing

1064

Lives. Seek of him. One truth I’ll tell thee, D’Alba,

1065

And then the record of that night shall pass

1066

Down to the grave in silence. But one sword

1067

Was stained with blood in yonder glen

—’twas mine

1068

was

the only guilty. This I swear

1069

Before the all-seeing God, whose quenchless gaze

1070

Pierced through that

twilight-hour

twilight hour

. Now condemn

1071

The Duke of Melfi

an ye dare

. I’ll speak no more

! I’ll speak

1072

On this foul question.

No more on this foul question.

Leanti.

1073

Thou the guilty

1074

Thou!

Julian.

1075

I have said it.

D’Alba.

1076

I had heard a tale—

Leanti.

1077

This must be sifted.

D’Alba.

1078

In that twilight hour

1079

A mortal eye beheld them. An old Spaniard,

1080

One of the guard

. By heaven,

—By Heaven

it is a tale

1081

So bloody, so unnatural, man may scarce

1082

Believe it

Leanti

1083

And the

ing still lives.

D’Alba

1084

Why,

’

tis

1085

A mystery. Let’s to the

hall of Justice,

Hall of Justice

1086

And hear this soldier. Sir, they are ambitious,

1087

Father & son

.—We can pass judgement there:

—We can pass judgment there,

1088

This is no place

;

—Leanti, more ambitious

1089

Than thou can

’

st guess.

Julian.

1090

Aye, by a thousand fold!

1091

I am an

aglet born, and can drink in

1092

The sunlight, when the blinking owls go darkling,

1093

Dazzled

and blinded by the day. Ambitious!

1094

I have had

day

dreams would have shamed the visions

1095

Of that great

aster of the world, who wept

1096

For other worlds to conquer. I’d have lived

1097

An age of sinless glory, and gone down

1098

Storied

, and epitaph’d, and chronicled

and epitaphed and chronicled,

1099

To the very end of time

.—Now

. Now

—But I still

1100

May suffer bravely

—may die as a p

, may die as a P

rince,

1101

man.—Ye go to Judgement

Man. Ye go to judgment

. Lords, remember

1102

I am the only guilty.

Calvi

1103

We must needs

1104

On such confession

give you into charge

1105

A prisoner. Ho! Captain.

The Officer & Guards advance.

Leanti.

1106

Goes he with us?

D’Alba.

1107

No; for the

all is near, and they are best

1108

Questioned apart. Walk by me, good Leanti,

1109

And I will shew thee why.

Leanti.

1110

Is’t possible

1111

That Julian

and his father fought?

stabb’d his father?

D’Alba.

1112

No! No!

No. Thou saw’st

1113

They met as friends

. No! No!

; no! no!

Exeunt Calvi and other Lords Enter Annabel

(hastily)

. Annab.

1114

Where is he? Where?

1115

Julian!

D’Alba.

1116

Fair Princess

—

Annab.

1117

Stay me not

—My

. My

Julian!

D’Alba.

1118

how she sinks her head upon his arm!

1119

How her curls kiss his cheek!

nd her white hand

1120

Lies upon his

. The cold,

! The cold

and sluggish husband!

1121

does not clasp that loveliest hand!

doth not clasp that loveliest hand, which nature

Leanti.

1122

Count D’Alba, see

1123

We are alone

—Wilt

. Wilt

thou not come?

D’Alba.

1124

Anon.

1125

Now he hath seized her hand, hath dared to grasp

—

1126

He shall not hold it long.

Leanti.

1127

They’ll wait us, Count.

D’Alba.

1128

That white hand shall be mine

Exeunt D’Alba

and

Leanti Julian.

1129

My Annabel,

1130

Why art thou here?

Annab.

1131

They said—I was a fool

1132

That believed them

—Constance said she heard a cry

1133

Down with the Melfi!—and the rumour ran,

Down with the Melfi! and the rumour ran

1134

That there had been a fray, that thou wast slain

:—

1135

But thou art safe, my Julian?

Julian.

1136

As thou

see’st

seest

1137

But thou

Thou

art breathless still.

Annab.

1138

Aye

—

I flew through the streets,

1139

Piercing the crowds like light

I was a fool

—

;

1140

But thou had’st left me on a sudden, bearing

1141

The young Alfonso with thee;—

The young Alfonso with thee, high resolve

1142

Fixed in thine eye. I knew not—Love is fearful;

I knew not—Love is fearful,

1143

And I have learnt to fear.

And I have learnt to fear. But thou’rt not well:—

1144

Home! by the way thou’lt tell me

1145

What hath befallen. Where is Alfonso?

Julian. Annabel. Julian.

1153

Say

1154

The King

the rightful, the acknowledged King!

1155

Thou dost not grieve to lose a crown my fairest!

Annab.

1156

no! no!

1157

I’m only proud of thee.

I’m only proud of thee. Thy fame’s my crown.

1158

Where’s thy father, Julian?

1159

Forgive me. I have pained thee.

Jul.

Ann.

Julian.

1160

No. The pang

1161

Is mastered. Where?

e is a prisoner

1162

Before the States

—I am a prisoner here—

. I am a prisoner here.

1163

These are my guards

—Be calm, sweetest!

. Be calmer, Sweetest.

Rend not

1164

This holy place with shrieks.

Annab.

1165

They seek thy life

1166

They’ll sentence thee! They’ll kill thee! No

, they shall not;

! they shall not,

1167

Unless they kill me first. What crime

? Oh Heaven!

—O God,

1168

Note: This full line is out of focus in the photofacsimile of the manuscript. Two words are faintly legible: “of crime” and in the middle of the line an exclamation point, suggesting that this may be the same line or close to the version in the 1823 publication.

To talk of crime and thee!--What falsest charge

1169

Dare they to bring?

Julian.

1170

Somewhat of yon sad night

1171

They know.

Annab.

1172

Where’s Theodore? The

age? The King?

1173

Hold me not!

Jul.

Ann.

Julian.

1174

Where would’st thou go?

Annab.

1175

To the States.

Julian.

1176

And there?

Annab.

1177

I’ll tell the truth, the truth,

1178

The irresistible truth! Let go

,—a

. A

moment

1179

May cost thy life

—our lives—

,—our lives.

Nothing but truth,

1180

That’s all thy cause can need

! Let go!

. Let go.

Julian.

1181

And he,

1182

My father?

Annab.

1183

What’s a thousand such as he

1184

To thee, my husband! But he shall be safe

;

1185

He is thy father

;

I’ll say nought can harm him.

—

1186

He was ever kind to me

; I’ll pray for him!

! I’ll pray for him.

1187

Nay, an thou fear’st me, Julian, I’ll not speak

1188

One word

.—

;

I’ll only kneel before them all,

1189

Lift up my hands, and pray in my inmost heart,

1190

As I pray to God.

Julian.

1191

My loving wife, to

him,

Him

1192

Pray

to him only. Leave me not my dearest.

, to Him only. Leave me not, my dearest;

1193

This interval of torture. I’m content

I’m content and strong to suffer. Be thou—

Enter D’Alba, Calvi, Leanti and Nobles

1194

Ha! returned

1195

Already! This is quick. But I’m prepared.

1196

The sentence

Annab.

1197

Tell it not! Ye are

its judges;

his Judges.

1198

Ye have the power of life and death

; your

. Your

words

1199

Are fate

—Oh! Speak not yet. Listen to me!

. Oh speak not yet! Listen to me.

D’Alba.

1200

Aye

, a long summer day.

; a long summer day!

What would’st thou?

Annab.

1201

Save him!

1202

Save him!

D’Alba.

1203

He shall not die.

Annab.

1204

Now

bless thee, D’Alba!

1205

Bless thee! He’s safe!

e’s free!

Julian.

1206

Once more I ask

1207

His doom, for that is mine. If ye have dared

1208

In mockery of justice, to arraign

1209

And sentence your great

uler, with less pause

1210

Than a petty thief

taken in the manner

—What’s

, what’s

1211

Our doom?

D’Alba.

1212

Sir, our great ruler (we

that love not

1213

Law’s tedious circumstance

may thank him) spared

1214

All trial by confession. He avowed

1215

Treason

& regicide,

and regicide;

and all that thou

1216

Had

’

st said

or might say, he avouched unheard

1217

For truth, then cried

;

as thou hast done, for

judgement.

judgment,

Julian.

1218

I can die

too.

Leanti.

1219

A milder doom

1220

Unites ye. We have spared the royal blood

D’Alba.

1221

Only the blood. Estates and

honors

honours

all

1222

Are forfeit to the

king. The Assembled States

King; the assembled states

1223

Banish ye

—The most holy church

; the most holy Church

declares ye

1224

Beneath her ban. This is your sentence, Sir.

1225

erald waits to read it in the streets

1226

Before ye

. And from out the city gates

, and from out the city gate

1227

To thrust ye

;

outlawed, excommunicate,

1228

Infamous amongst men. Ere noon to-morrow

1229

Ye must depart from Sicily; on pain

1230

Of death to ye, the outlaws, death to all that harbour ye,

Of death to ye the outlaws, death to all

1231

Death to whoe’er shall give

That harbour ye, death to whoe’er shall give

1232

Food, shelter,

comfort, so pass ye forth

comfort, speech. So pass ye forth

1233

In infamy!

Annab.

1234

Eternal infamy

1235

Rest on your heads, false

udges! Outlawed! Banished!

1236

Bereft of all state and title! Thou art still

1237

Best of the good, greatest

amongst

the great,

1238

My Julian! Must they die that give thee food

1239

And rest

and comfort? I shall comfort thee,

1240

thy true wife! I’ll never leave thee

, never!

. Never!

1241

We’ll walk together to the gate, my hand

1242

In thine, as lovers

—Let us forth.

. Let’s set forth.

We’ll go

1243

Together.

Julian.

1244

Aye

;

but not to-night. I’ll meet thee

1245

To-morrow

at the harbour.

Annab.

1246

, no,

! no!

no!

1247

I will not leave thee.

Julian.

1248

Cling not thus

! She trembles!

. She trembles.

1249

She cannot walk. Brave Sir, we have been comrades

;

1250

There is a pity in thine eye,

that

which

well

1251

Beseems a soldier. Take this weeping lady

1252

To King Alfonso

—

Tell the royal boy

1253

One, who was once his

kinsman,

Cousin

and his friend,

1254

Commends her to him. Go

To-morrow, dearest,

1255

We’ll meet again

—Now for this

. Now for the

sentence. Lords,

1256

I question not your power. I submit

1257

To all, even to this shame. Be quick! be quick!

Exeunt

End of Act 3rd

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

Act 4

ACT IV.

Scene 1

An Apartment in the

oyal Palace. D’Alba

Bertone. D’Alba.

1260

I’ve parted them at last. The livelong night

1261

The little King lay, like a page, before

1262

Her chamber door

;

and ever as he heard

1263

A struggling sigh within, he cried,

Alas!

alas!

1264

And echoed back her moan, and uttered words

1265

Of comfort. Happy boy

Bert.

1266

But he is gone

1267

Towards the gate

. Be sure, to seek

: be sure to meet

Prince Julian.

D’Alba.

1268

For that I care not, so that I secure

1269

The vision that once flitted from my grasp

Bert.

1270

Yet is Julian

1271

Still dangerous.

D’Alba.

1272

Why

after noon to-day

—

1273

And see the sun’s already high

! he dies,

!--he dies

1274

If he be found in Sicily. Take thou

1275

Two resolute comrades

to pursue his steps,

1276

Soon as the time be past. Did

’

st thou not hear

1277

The proclamation? Know’st thou where he bides

1278

And Melfi?

Bert.

1279

Good

my lord, ’tis said the Duke

1280

Is dead.

D’Alba.

1281

Dead!

Bert.

1282

Sure it is,

Certain ’tis

that yesternight

1283

He walked from out the

judgement hall,

Judgment Hall

like one

1284

Dreaming with eyes that saw not;

Dreaming, with eyes that saw not,

ears that heard

1285

No sound, staggering and tottering

, like old age,

like old age

1286

Or infancy

.—And

. And

when the kingly robe

1287

Was plucked from him, and he forced from the gate

1288

A deep wound in his side

, burst forth,

burst forth;

the blood

1289

Welled like a fountain.

D’Alba.

1290

And he died?

Bert.

1291

He fell

1292

Fainting

, and Julian, who had ~~treated~~tended him,

; and Julian, who had tended him

1293

Silently, with a spirit so absorbed

1294

His own shame seemed unfelt, fell on his neck

1295

Shrieking like maddening woman. There we left him,

1296

And there

, ’tis said,

’tis said

he hath outwatched the night.

D’Alba.

1297

There

on the ground?

Bert.

1298

So please you.

D’Alba.

1299

Thou hast known

1300

A softer couch, Prince Julian

Is the litter

1301

Prepared

,—and Julian’s groom?—

? And the old groom?

Bert.

1302

My lord, he waits

1303

Your pleasure.

D’Alba.

1304

Call him hither.

Exit Bertone.

1305

Blood welled out

1306

From a deep wound! Said old Leanti sooth?

1307

No matter

—Either way they’re guilty.

! Either way he’s guilty.

Re-

Enter Bertone,

enter Bertone

with Renzi.

1308

Ha! a reverend knave!

A reverend knave.

Wast thou

rince Julian’s huntsman?

Renzi.

1309

An please you, Sir, I was.

D’Alba.

1310

Dost know the

princess?

Princess?—

1311

Doth she know thee?

Renzi.

1312

Right well, my lord.

Full well, my Lord. I tended

D’Alba.

1319

The better!

And the angel deemed

1321

Dost thou love ducats, Renzi?

Flinging him a purse

Tossing him a purse.

1322

Can’st

Canst

thou grace

1323

A lie with tongue, and look, and action?

A lie with tongue and look and action?

Renzi.

1324

Aye.

D’Alba.

1325

Go to the Princess

. Say

; say

thy master sent thee

1326

To guide her to him

; or the young Alfonso;

, or the young Alfonso,—

1327

Use either name, or both. Spare not for tears,

1328

Or curses. Lead her to the litter

. See

; see

1329

That Constance follows not. Bertone’ll gain

1330

Admittance for thee—Go.

Exit Renzi.

1331

Bertone seek me

1332

A supple churchman

;—

Know’st thou any? One

1333

Not scrupulous

, one, who loves gold, and laughs,

; one who loves gold, and laughs

1334

At conscience. Bring him to me. I must hasten

1335

Silently home. Let not the

rincess guess

1336

That I have left the palace.

Bert.

1337

No, my

ord.

Exeunt severally.

Scene 2d

SCENE II

The Country

just without the gates of Messina

, a hilly back-ground.

. A hilly back Ground.

Melfi lying on the Stage.

Melfi, lying on the Stage,

Julian. Julian.

1338

He wakes!

e is not dead! I am not yet

1339

A parricide

! I dare not look on him,

. I dare not look on him;

1340

I dare not speak

—

Melfi.

1341

Water! my throat is scorched.

Exit Julian.

1342

My tongue cleaves to my mouth.

Water!

Water! Will none

Exit Julian.

1343

Will none

1344

Go fetch me water? Am I here alone

1345

Here on the bloody ground, as on that night

—

1346

Am I there still? No! I remember now

1347

Yesterday I was

ing; to-day, I’m nothing;

1348

Cast down by my own son

! Stabbed in my fame!

; stabbed in my fame;

1349

Branded

and done to death

! An Outlaw

; an outlaw

where

1350

I ruled! He, whom I loved with such a pride,

1351

With such a fondness, hath done this

, and I

; and I,

1352

Have

I have

not strength to drag me to his presence

1353

That I might rain down curses on his head,

1354

Might blast him with a look

Enter Julian. Julian.

1355

Here’s water

! d

. D

rink!

Melfi.

1356

What voice is that? Why dost thou shroud thy face?

1357

Dost shame to shew thyself? Who art thou?

Julian.

1358

Drink.

1359

pr’ythee,

pray thee

drink.

Melfi.

Julian.

1360

’Tis the pure

1361

And limpid gushing of a natural spring

1362

Close by yon olive ground. A little child

1363

Who stood beside the fount,

filled for me

watching the bright

1364

Her beechen cup

with her small innocent hand,

1365

And bade our

lady bless the draught.

Lady bless the draught!

Oh drink!

1366

Have faith in such a blessing!

Melfi.

1367

Thou should’st bring

1368

Nothing but poison. Hence, accursed cup!

Dashing the cup to the ground

1369

I’ll perish in my thirst. I know thee, Sir.

Julian.

1370

Father!

Melfi.

1371

I have no

Son. I had once

son. I had one once

1372

A gallant gentleman

, but he... What,

; but he—What,

Sir,

1373

Did you

Didst thou

never hear of that Sicilian Prince,

1374

Who made the fabulous tale of Greece a truth,

1375

And slew his father?

The old Laius fell

He stabbed, and stabbed, and stabbed.

1376

And the poor wretch cannot die.

Julian.

1377

I think my heart

1378

Is iron

that it breaks not.

Melfi.

1379

I should curse him—

1380

But

And

yet—Dost thou not know that I’m an outlaw

1381

Under the ban? They stand in danger, Sir,

1382

That talk to me.

Julian.

1383

I am an outlaw

too.

—

1384

Thy fate is mine

, our

. Our

sentence is alike.

Melfi.

1385

What! have they banished thee?

Julian.

1386

I should have gone,

1387

In very truth, I should have gone with thee

1388

Aye

to the end of the world.

Melfi.

1389

What

banish thee!

1390

Oh, foul ingratitude!

weak,

Weak

changeling boy!

Julian.

1391

He knows it not. Father, this banishment

1392

Came as a comfort to me, set me free

1393

From warring duties and fatiguing cares,

1394

And left me wholly thine. We shall be happy

;

1395

For she goes with us, who will prop

thy

steps,

1396

As once the

aid of Thebes, Antigone,

1397

In that old tale. Chuse thou whatever land

—

1398

All are alike to us

—but

. But

pardon me!

Melfi.

1399

My virtuous son!

Julian.

1400

thanks to thee

, and heaven! He sinks! He faints!

and Heaven! He sinks; he’s faint;

1401

His lips wax pale

I’ll seek the spring once more

1402

’Tis thirst.

Melfi.

1403

What music’s that?

Julian.

1404

I hear none.

Melfi

1405

Hark!

Julian

1406

Thou art weak and dizzy.

Melfi

1407

Angels of the air,

1408

Cherub

and

Seraph

sometimes watch around

Julian.

1409

I have heard so.

Melfi.

1410

Aye;

1411

But they were just men, Julian

;—they were holy;

! They were holy.

1412

They were not traitors.

Julian.

1413

Strive against these thoughts

—

1414

Thou wast a brave man,

father! Fight

Father!--fight

against them,

1415

As ’gainst the Paynims

thy old foes. He grows

1416

Paler and paler. Water from the spring

,—

;

1417

Or generous wine

. She will be here anon.

;—I saw a cottage near.

1418

Rest thee, dear

ather, till I come.

Exit Julian. Melfi.

1419

Again

1420

That music! It is mortal

. It

; it

draws nearer.

1421

But if men should pass, must I lie here

1422

Like a crushed adder? Here in the highway

1423

Trampled beneath their feet

?—

So! So! I’ll crawl

1424

To yonder bank

—Oh,

. Oh

that it were the deck

1425

Of some great Admiral, and I alone

1426

Boarding amidst a hundred swords! the breach

1427

Of some strong citadel, and I the first

1428

To mount in the cannon’s mouth. I was brave once.

To mount in the cannon’s mouth! I was brave once.

1429

for the common undistinguished death

1430

Of battle, pressed by horse’s heels, or crushed

1431

By falling towers! And thing but to lie

1432

Here like a leper

Enter Alfonso,

Calvi, & Valore

Valore, and Calvi

. Alfon.

1433

’Tis the spot where Julian—

1434

And yet I see him not

—I’ll pause awhile

. I’ll pause awhile;

1435

’Tis likely he’ll return. I’ll wait.

1436

Whence come those groans? My uncle

1437

Stretched on the ground and none to tend thee? Rest

1438

Thy head upon my arm. Where’s Julian? Sure

1439

I thought to find him with thee. Nay, be still,

1440

Strive not to move.

Calvi. Alfonso. Valore. Alfonso. Calvi. Alfonso. Valore. Calvi. Alfonso. Calvi. Alfonso. Melfi.

1472

I fain would kneel to thee

1473

For pardon.

Calvi

1474

Listen not, my liege. The

tates

1475

Sentenced the Duke of Melfi

. Thou

; thou

hast not

1476

The power to pardon. Leave him to his fate.

Valore.

1477

’Twere best your

ighness came with us.

Alfon.

1478

Avoid

1479

The place! Leave us, cold, courtly lords! Avoid

1480

My sight! Leave us, I say. Send instant succour

1481

Food, water, wine, and men with hearts, if courts

1482

May breed such. Leave us

Exeunt Calvi and Valore. Melfi.

1483

Gallant boy!

Alfon.

1484

Alas!

1485

I have no power.

Melfi.

1486

For all I need thou hast.

1487

Give me but six feet of Sicilian earth,

1488

And thy sweet pardon.

Alfon.

1489

Talk not thus. I’ll grow

1490

At once into a man, into a king,

1491

And they shall tremble, and turn pale with fear

1492

Who now have dared—

Enter Julian.

1493

Julian!

Julian.

1494

Here’s water. Ha!

1495

Alfonso! I thought

pity had been dead.

Pity had been dead.

1496

I craved a little wine, for the dear love

1497

heaven, for a poor dying man,

Heaven, for a poor dying man;

and all

1498

Turned from my prayer. Drink,

father!

Alfon.

1499

I have sent

1500

For succour.

Julian.

1501

Gentle heart!

Melfi.

1502

The time is past.

1503

Music again

Alfon.

1504

Aye; ’tis a shepherd’s pipe

1505

From yonder craggy mountain. How it swings

1506

Upon the wind

now pausing, now renewed,

1507

Regular as a bell

Melf.

1508

A passing bell.

Alfon.

1509

Cast off these heavy thoughts.

Melfi.

1510

Turn me.

Alfon.

1511

He bleed

1512

The blood wells out.

Melfi.

1513

It eases me.

Julian.

1514

He sinks!

1515

He dies!

—Off!--He’s my father!

Off! he’s my father.

Rest on me.

Melfi.

1516

Bless thee

Julian

1517

No!

Oh,

no! no! no! I cannot bear

1518

Thy blessing

! Twice to stab! and twice forgiven!

. Twice to stab, and twice forgiven—

1519

! curse me,

curse me

rather!

Melfi.

1520

Bless ye both!

Dies

Alfon.

1521

He’s dead

;

1522

And surely he died penitent. That thought

1523

Hath in it a deep comfort. The freed spirit

1524

Gushed out in a full tide of pardoning love.

1525

He blest us both, my Julian

—

;

even me

1526

As I had been his son. We’ll pray for him

1527

Together, and thy Annabel shall join

1528

Her purest orisons. I left her stretched

1529

In a deep slumber. All night long she watched

1530

And wept for him and thee; but now she sleeps.

1531

Shall I go fetch her? She, better than I,

1532

Would soothe thee. Dost thou hear? He writhes as though

1533

The struggling grief would choke him. Rouse thee

, Julian!

. Julian,

1534

Calm thee

! Thou frighten’st me!

. Thou frighten’st me.

Julian.

1535

Am I not calm?

1536

There is my sword

—

Go.

Alfon.

1537

I’ll not leave thee.

Julian.

1538

King!

1539

Dost thou not see we’ve killed him? Thou had’st cause

;

1540

But I, that was his

son—

Son.—

Home to thy

alace!

1541

Home!

Alfon.

1542

Let me stay beside thee

;

I’ll not speak,

1543

Nor look, nor move. Let me but sit

and drop

1544

Tear for tear with thee.

Julian.

1545

Go.

Alfon.

1546

ousin Julian—

Julian.

1547

Madden me not. I’m excommunicate,

1548

An exile, and an outlaw, but a man

1549

Grant me the human privilege to weep

1550

Alone o’er my dead father. King, I saved

1551

Thy life

, repay

. Repay

me now a

thousand fold.

thousand-fold,—

1552

Alfon.

1553

Yes, for a sweet Comforter.

Aye; for a sweet comforter.

Enter Paolo. Paolo.

1554

My liege,

1555

The

Lady Annabel.—

lady Annabel—

Julian.

1556

What

! Is

? is

she dead?

1557

Have I killed her?

Alfon.

1558

Speak, Paolo. In thy charge

1559

I left her.

Julian.

1560

Is she dead?

Paolo.

1561

No. Heaven forefend!

1562

But she hath left the

alace.

Julian.

1563

’Tis the curse

1564

Of blood that’s on my head

, on all I love!

; on all I love.

1565

She’s lost

Alfon.

1566

Did she go forth alone?

Paolo.

1567

My liege,

1568

Prince Julian’s aged

untsman, Renzi, came

1569

Sent, as he said, by thee, to bear her where

1570

Her

ord was sheltered.

Julian.

1571

Hoary traitor!

Paolo.

1572

She followed him, nothing fearing; and I too

Followed him, nothing fearing; and I too

1573

Had gone, but D’Alba’s servants closed the gates,

1574

And

, then,

then

my heart misgave me.

Julian.

1575

Where’s my sword?

1576

I’ll rescue her! I’ll save her!

Alfon.

1577

Hast thou traced

1578

Thy

honoured

lady?

Paolo.

1579

No; but

No, my liege. But

much I fear—

1580

Certain

a closed and guarded litter took

1581

The way to the western suburb.

Julian.

1582

There, where lies

1583

The palace of Count D’Alba

. Stained! defiled!

! Stained—defiled—

1584

has

hath

thee now, my lovely one! There’s still

1585

A way—Let me but reach thee! One

Asylum!

asylum—

1586

One bridal bed

! one resting place!--

—One resting place.

All griefs

1587

Are lost in this

! Oh!

. Oh

would I lay as thou,

my father!

1588

Leave him not in the highway,

My Father! Leave him not in the high-way

1589

For dogs to mangle

He was once a

rince.

—

1590

Farewell!

Alfon.

1591

Let me go with thee.

Julian.

1592

No. This deed

1593

Is mine.

Exit Julian. Alfon.

1594

Paolo

stay by the corse. I’ll after

1595

He shall not on this desperate quest alone.

Paolo.

1596

Rather, my liege, seek D’Alba

. As

:—

I deem

1597

He still is at thy

palace. So may the sweet lady

Palace. Watch him well.

1598

Be rescued, and Prince Julian saved.

Alf.

Exeunt.

Scene

Scene III

A Gothic Apartment. A recess in which is a niche window closed, but so constructed, as light may be thrown in. Near the recess, a small arched door, thro’ which is seen an inner chamber.—

An Apartment in an old Tower; a rich Gothic Window, closed, but so constructed as that the Light may be thrown in, near it a small arched Door, beyond which is seen an Inner Chamber, with an open Casement.—Annabel is borne in by D’Alba and Guards, through a strong Iron Door in the side Scene.

Annabel is brought in by Servants, and follow’d by Count D’Alba.

D’Alba, Annabel, Guards.

D’Alba.

1599

Leave her with me. Guard well the gate; and watch

1600

That none approach the tower.

Exeunt Servants.

Exeunt Guards.

1601

Fair Annabel!

Annab.

1602

Who is it calls? Where am I? Who art thou?

1603

Why am I here? Now

heaven preserve me

D’Alba!

1604

Where’s Julian? Where’s

rince Julian? Where’s my husband?

1605

Renzi, who lured me from the palace, swore

1606

It was to meet my husband.

D’Alba.

1607

Many an oath

1608

First sworn in falsehood

turns to truth. He’s here.

1609

Calm thee, sweet lady.

Annab.

1610

Where? I see him not.

1611

Julian!

D’Alba.

1612

Another husband.

Annab.

1613

Then he’s dead!

1614

He’s dead!

D’Alba.

1615

He lives.

Annab.

1616

Heard I aright? Again!

1617

There is a deafening murmur in mine ears,

1618

Like the moaning sound that dwells in the

sea-shell;—

sea shell,

1619

So that I hear nought plainly. Say’t again.

D’Alba.

1620

He lives

Annab.

1621

Now, thanks to

heaven! Take me to him!

Heaven! Take me to him.

1622

Where am I?

D’Alba.

1623

In an old

and lonely tower

1624

At the end of my poor orchard.

Annab.

1625

Take me home.

D’Alba.

1626

Thou hast no home.

Annab.

1627

No home! His arms! his heart!

1628

Take me to him

D’Alba.

1629

Sweet Annabel, be still.

1630

Conquer this woman’s vain impatiency,

1631

And listen

.—Why,

. Why

she trembles as I were

1632

Some bravo

! Oh,

. Oh

that man’s free heart should bow

1633

To a fair cowardice! Listen. Thou know’st

1634

The sentence of the Melfi?

Annab.

1635

Aye, the unjust

1636

And wicked doom

that ranked the innocent

1637

With the guilty. But I murmur not. I love

1638

To suffer with him.

D’Alba.

1639

He is banished

;

outlawed,

1640

Cut off from every human tie

;—

Annab.

1641

Not all.

1642

I am his wife.

D’Alba.

1643

Under the

church’s ban!

Church’s ban.

1644

I tell thee, Annabel, that learned

riest,

1645

The sage Anselmo, deems thou art released

1646

From thy unhappy vows

;

and will

to-night

to night

—

Annab.

1647

Stop

I was wedded in the light of day

1648

In the great church at Naples. Blessed day!

1649

I am his wife

;

bound to him ever more

1650

In sickness, penury, disgrace. Count D’Alba,

1651

Thou dost misprize the world, but thou must know

1652

That woman’s heart is faithful, and clings closest

1653

In misery.

D’Alba.

1654

If the

hurch proclaim thee free

—

Annab.

1655

Sir, I will not be free

. And if I were,

; and if I were

1656

I’d give myself to Julian o’er again

—

1657

Only to Julian

Trifle thus no longer.

1658

Lead me to him. Release me.

D’Alba.

1659

Now

by heaven,

1660

I’ll bend this glorious constancy. I’ve known thee

1661

Even from a little child, and I have seen

1662

Thy stubborn spirit broken:;

That stubborn spirit broken:

not by fear

1663

That thou can’st quell

, nor interest, nor ambition,

; nor interest; nor ambition;

1664

But love! love! love! I tell thee, Annabel,

1665

One, whom thou lo’st, stands in danger. Wed me,

One whom thou lov’st, stands in my danger. Wed me

1666

This very night

—I will procure a priest

1667

And dispensations, there shall nothing lack

1668

Of nuptial form

—Wed me, or look

to hear

1669

Of bloody justice.

Annab.

1670

My poor father, Melfi!

D’Alba.

1671

The Regent

He is dead.

Annab.

1672

Heaven

God

hath been merciful.

D’Alba.

1673

Is there no other name? no dearer?

Annab.

1674

Ha!

D’Alba.

1675

Had

’

st thou such tender love for this

high

proud

father,

1676

Who little recked of thee, or thy fair looks

;

—

1677

Is all beside forgotten?

Annab.

1678

Speak

D’Alba.

1679

Why, Julian!

1680

Julian, I say!

Annab.

1681

He is beyond thy power.

1682

Thanks, thanks, great

heav’n

God

! He’s ruined, exiled, stripped

1683

Of name, and land, and titles. He’s as dead.

1684

Thou hast no power to harm him. He can fall

1685

No deeper. Earth hath not a lowlier state

1686

Than princely Julian fills.

D’Alba.

1687

The grave! The grave

Doth not the grave

1688

Lies deeper!

Lie deeper?

Annab.

1689

What? But thou hast not the power!

1690

Hast thou? Thou

can’st not! Oh,

canst not. Oh

be pitiful!

1691

Speak

.—

I conjure thee, speak!

D’Alba.

1692

Didst thou not hear

1693

That he was exiled, outlawed, banished far

1694

From the Sicilian Isles, on pain of death

1695

If, after noon to-day, he e’er were seen

1696

In Sicily? The allotted bark awaits;

1697

The hour is past

;

and he is here.

Annab.

1698

Now

heaven

1699

Have mercy on us! D’Alba, at thy feet

1700

Upon my bended knees—Oh pity! pity!

1701

Pity and pardon! I’ll not rise. I cannot.

1702

I cannot stand more than a creeping worm

1703

Whilst Julian’s in thy danger. Pardon him!

1704

Thou wast not cruel once. I’ve seen thee turn

1705

Thy step from off the path

to spare an insect;

1706

I’ve marked thee shudder, when my falcon struck

1707

A panting bird

;

—though thou hast tried to sneer

1708

At thy own sympathy. D’Alba, thy heart

1709

Is kinder than thou knowest

.—

Save him, D’Alba!

1710

Save him!

D’Alba.

1711

Be mine.

Annab.

1712

Am I not his?

D’Alba.

1713

Be mine

;

1714

And he shall live to the whole age of man

1715

Unharmed.

Annab.

1716

I’m his.—Oh

, spare him! only

—Oh spare him!--Only

his.

D’Alba.

1717

Then

it is thou

that dost enforce the law

1718

On Julian

—Thou

; thou

, his loving wife, that guid’st

1719

The

fficer to seize him

where he lies

1720

Upon his father’s corse

.—Thou,

; thou

that dost lead

1721

Thy husband to the scaffold

—Thou, his wife!

;—thou his wife,

1722

His loving wife! Thou yet may’st rescue him.

Annab.

1723

Now,

heav’n

God

forgive thee, man! Thou torturest me

1724

Worse than a thousand racks. But thou art not

1725

So devilish, D’Alba

Thou hast talked of love

;

—

1726

Would’st see me die here at thy feet? Have mercy!

D’Alba.

1727

Mercy! Aye, such as thou hast shewn to me

1728

Through weeks

and months

and years. I was born strong

1729

In scorn, the wise man’s passion. I had lived

1730

Aloof from the juggling world, and with a

~~string~~ shrug

string

1731

Watched the poor puppets ape their several parts

;

1732

Fool, knave, or madman; till thy fatal charms,

1733

Beautiful mischief, made me knave and fool

1734

And madman; brought

Revenge, and Love, and Hate

revenge and love and hate

1735

Into my soul. I love

and hate thee, lady,

1736

And doubly hate myself for loving thee.

1737

But, by this teeming earth, this

glorious heaven,

starry Heaven,

1738

And by thyself

the fairest

, stubbornst thing,

stubbornest thing

1739

The fair stars shine upon, I swear to-night

—

1740

Thou shalt be mine. If willingly, I’ll save

1741

Prince Julian

. But

;—but

still mine. Speak. Shall he live?

1742

Can

’

st thou not speak? Wilt thou not save him?

Annab.

1743

No.

D’Alba.

1744

Did she die with the word!

Did’st

Dost

hear me, lady?

1745

I asked thee

would

’

st thou save thy husband?

Annab.

1746

No.

Not so! not so!

D’Alba.

1747

’Tis well

Exit Count D’Alba.

Exit D’Alba.

Annab.

1748

Stay! Stay! He’s gone.

1749

Count D’Alba!

ave him! Save him! D’Alba’s gone

1750

And I have

sentenc’d him!

sentenced him.

After a pause

1751

He would have chosen so

1752

Would rather have died a thousand deaths

, than to

than so

1753

Have lived

. Oh,

! Oh

who will succour me, shut up

1754

In this lone tower! none but those horrid guards,

1755

(There’s treachery in their face) know where the poor

And yonder hoary traitor, know where the poor,

1756

Poor Annabel is hidden

. No

; no

man cares

1757

How she may perish

.—Only one,

—only one—

and he—

1758

Preserve my wits! I’ll count my beads

. It will calm me—

; ’twill calm me:

1759

What

if I hang my rosary from the casement?

1760

There is a brightness in the gorgeous

Jewels

jewel

1761

To catch men’s eyes, and

haply, some may pass

1762

That are not

merciless

pitiless

. This window’s closed;

1763

But in yon

hamber—Ah, ’tis open! There

1764

I’ll hang the holy gem, a guiding star,

1765

A visible prayer to man and

god. Oh,

God. Oh

save me

1766

From sin and shame! Save him! I’ll hang it there.

Exit. End of the Fourth Act

Act 5th

ACT V.

Scene 1st

SCENE.

Same as the last.—The small door nearly closed.—A light from the setting sun thro’ the window

The same as the last; the arched Door nearly closed.

Annabel (alone)

Annabel.

1767

I cannot rest

, I wander to & fro’

. I wander to and fro

1768

Within my dreary prison, as to seek

1769

For comfort

and find none. Each hour hath killed

1770

A hope that seemed the last. The shadows point

1771

Upward

—The Sun is sinking. Guard me, Heaven,

. The sun is sinking. Guard me, heaven,

1772

Thro’

Through

this dread night!

Gun heard.

A gun is heard without.

1773

What evil

sounds?

sound—

All sounds

1774

Are evil here

!--

Is there some murder doing?

1775

Or wantonly

in sport

—

Enter Julian

Thro’ the small door.

through the arched Door.

Julian.

1776

Annabel!

Anna.

1777

Julian!

Julian.

1778

My wife!

rt thou still mine?

Anna.

1779

Thine own

Julian.

1780

She smiles!

1781

She clings to me! Her eyes are fixed on

mine

1782

With the old love, the old divinest look

1783

Of innocence! It is yet time. She’s pure

1784

She’s undefiled

.—Speak to me, Annabel!

!--Speak to me, Annabel.

1785

Tremble not so

Anna.

1786

’Tis joy

.—Oh,

. Oh

I have been

1787

So wretched! And to see thee when I thought

1788

We ne’er should meet again

!--How did’st

! How didst

thou find me?

Julian.

1789

The

osary! the blessed rosary

1790

Shone in the

Sunbeam like a beacon fire;

sun-beam, like a beacon fire,

1791

A guiding star

.—Thrice holy was the

! Thrice holy was its

light

1792

That led me here to save—

Anna.

1793

blessings on thee!

1794

How? Where? what way?

the iron door is barred.

The iron door is barred!

1795

Where

did’st thou enter, Julian?

didst thou enter Julian!

Julian.

1796

Thro’ the Casement

Through the casement

1797

Of yonder chamber.

Anna.

1798

What

, that grim ascent?

? that grim ascent!

1799

That

aweful depth? Did’st

awful depth! Didst

thou dare this for me?

1800

And must I

—? But

?—But

I fear not. I’ll go with thee.

1801

I’m safe of foot, and light

—

I’ll go.

Julian.

1802

Thou can

’

st not.

Anna.

1803

Then go thyself, or he will find thee here,

1804

, and his ruffian band—

and his ruffian band.

Let us part now.

1805

Kiss me again

!--

Fly, fly from Sicily!

—

1806

That fearful man

! But he is all one lie,

—but he is all one lie—

1807

Told me thy life was forfeited.

Julian.

1808

He told thee

1809

A truth.

Anna.

1810

Oh! fly, fly, fly!

Oh fly! fly! fly;

Julian.

1811

My Annabel

1812

The bloodhounds that he laid upon the scent

1813

Have tracked me hither

.—Did’st

. Didst

thou hear a gun?

1814

For once the ball passed harmless.

Anna.

1815

Art thou hurt?

1816

Art sure thou art not?

Julian.

1817

Yes

, but

. But

they who aimed

1818

That death

are on the watch

—

Their quarry’s lodged.

1819

We can escape them—one way—only

one way.

one!

Anna.

1820

How? What way?

Julian.

1821

Ask not.

Anna.

1822

Whither?

Julian.

1823

To—

my father.

Anna.

1824

Then he’s alive

!--Oh,

—Oh

happiness! They told me

1825

That he was dead

.—

Why do we loiter here?

1826

Let’s join him now.

Julian.

1827

Not yet.

Anna.

1828

Now

now! Thou know’st not

1829

How horribly these walls do picture to me

1830

The several agonies whereof my soul

1831

Hath drunk

to-day.—I

to day. I

have been tempted, Julian,

1832

By one—a fiend!

—Tempted ’till

tempted till

I almost thought

1833

Heaven had forsaken me.—But thou art here,

God had forsaken me. But thou art here

1834

To save me, and my pulse beats high again

1835

With love

and

hope. I am light-hearted now,

1836

And could laugh

like a child—only these walls

1837

Do crowd around me with a visible weight

1838

Of a palpable

Note: The blotted word is most likely “palpable,” aligning with the 1823 publication. We can see a descender likely for the letter “p” amd neighboring ascenders likely for the letters “b” and “l” followed by a short letter, almost certainly an “e."

pressure,

A palpable pressure;

giving back the forms

1839

Of wildest thoughts,

Of wildest thoughts

that wandered through my brain

1840

Bright chattering madness, and sedate despair,

Bright chattering Madness, and sedate Despair,

1841

And

Note: Two words in this line and the next are completely illegible under the blot in the manuscript photofacsimile.

great unreal

And fear the Great Unreal!

—Take me hence!

1842

Take

Note: From the context of the lines and the 1823 text, the two words hidden by the blot damage are almost certainly “me away."

Take me away

with thee!

Julian.

1843

Not

Note: The large blot on the manuscript image most likely covers the words “yet, not” as given in the 1823 publication. A descender that would match the letter “y” is just visible.

yet,

Not yet, not yet.

1844

Thou sweetest wretch! I cannot

—Dotard! Fool!

1845

I must

—not yet, not yet.

. Not yet! not yet!

—Talk to me, Annabel;

1846

This is the hour when thou wast wont to make

1847

Earth, Heaven with lovely words; the sunset hour

Earth Heaven with lovely words; the sun-set hour,

1848

That woke thy spirit into joy

.—

Once more

1849

Talk to me, Annabel

Anna.

1850

Aye, all day long

1851

When we are free. Thy voice is

choaked,

choked;

thy looks

1852

Are not on me; thy hand doth catch

and twitch

1853

And grasp mine painfully

—that gentle hand!

Julian.

1854

Oh! Heaven! Oh Heaven? That right hand.—Kiss it not!

O God! O God! that right hand!--kiss it not!

1855

Take thy lips from it!

Anna.

1856

Can

’

st thou save me, Julian?

1857

Thou always dost speak truth

.—Can’st save thyself?

Note: The first three letters are visible as “thy,” but the rest is obscured under the blot. We supply “thyself?” from comparison with the 1823 edition.

. Canst save thyself?

1858

Shall we go hence together?

Julian.

1859

Aye—one fate,

Aye, one fate—

1860

One home

Anna.

1861

Why that is bliss

!--We shall be free

. We shall be poor

—

1862

Shall we not, Julian? I shall have a joy

1863

I never looked for

;

I shall work for thee,

1864

Shall tend thee, be thy

page, thy all!

Page, thy ’Squire, thy all,—

1865

Shall I not, Julian

Julian.

1866

Annabel, look forth

1867

Upon this glorious world! Look once again

1868

On our fair Sicily, lit by that sun

1869

Whose level beams do cast a golden shine

1870

On sea, and shore, and city, on the pride

1871

Of bowery groves

, on Etna’s smouldering top!

; on Etna’s smouldering top;—

1872

bright and glorious world!

nd thou of all

1873

Created things most glorious, tricked in light

1874

As the stars that live in Heaven!

Anna.

1875

Why dost thou gaze

1876

So sadly on me

Julian.

1877

The bright stars

how oft

1878

They fall, or

seem to fall!--The Sun—Look, look,

seem to fall! The Sun—look! look!

1879

He sinks, he sets in glory.

—Blessed orb

Blessed orb,

1880

Like thee

,—like thee. Dost

—like thee—Dost

thou remember once

1881

sat by the Sea-shore,

sate by the sea shore

when all the Heaven

1882

And all the

cean seemed one glow of fire

?—

1883

Continuous brightness; there we sate and talked

There we sate, and talked,

1884

High mysteries!--and thou didst wish thyself

And thou didst wish thyself

1885

A spirit sailing in that flood of light

1886

Straight to the Eternal Gates, did

’

t pray to pass

1887

Away in such a glory

.—Annabel,

. Annabel!

1888

Look out upon the burning sky, the

Sea

sea

1889

One lucid ruby—

’Tis

’tis

the very hour!

1890

Thou’lt be a Seraph at the

fount of light before—

Fount of Light

Anna.

1891

What

must I die? And wilt thou kill me?

1892

Can

’

st thou? Thou cam’st to save—

Julian.

1893

To save thy

honor.

honour!

1894

I shall die with thee.

Anna.

1895

Oh, no! no!

Live! Live!

live! live!

1896

If I must die—Oh

it is sweet to live,

1897

To breathe, to move, to feel the throbbing blood

1898

Beat in the veins

,—

to look on such an earth

1899

On such a Heaven

,—

to look on thee! Young life

1900

Is very dear

Julian.

1901

Would’st live for D’Alba?

Anna.

1902

1903

I had forgot

.—I’ll die.—Quick! quick!

. I’ll die. Quick! Quick!

Julian.

1904

One kiss!

1905

Angel, dost thou forgive me?

Anna.

1906

Yes.

Julian.

1907

My sword

—

1908

I cannot draw it.

Anna.

1909

Now

!--I’m ready!

! I’m ready.

Enter Bertone and 2 others armed.

Enter Bertone, and two Murderers.

Bert.

1910

Seize him!

1911

Yield thee, Prince Julian

!--Yield thee! Seize the lady!

! Yield thee! Seize the lady.

Julian.

1912

fatal, fond delay

!--Dare

! Dare

not come near us

1913

Stand off! I’ll guard thee, sweet

. But

, but

when I fall

1914

Let him not triumph.

Bertone.

1915

Yield thee!

1916

Strike him down

! Now!

The two men have now advanced close to Julian, and one of them strikes at him with his Sword. Annabel rushes before Julian, receives the wound aimed at him, & falls dead at his feet.

Jul.

The two murderers have now advanced close to Julian.

Bertone.

One of the murderers strikes at Julian with his sword; Annabel rushes before him, receives the wound aimed at him, and falls at his feet.

Anna.

(before she is wounded).

Then after.

dies.

Anna.

Rushing forward.

1921

For thee!

after she is wounded

1922

For thee! ’Tis sweet!

Dies.

Julian.

1923

Fiend

! hast

, hast

thou slain her? Die! die! die!

Kills him.

Bertone.

1925

Call instant help

! Hasten the Count!

Exit the other bravo

Exit the other murderer.

Julian & Bertone fight,

and

Julian kills him

Julian.

1926

Wife

wife

1927

My murdered

Wife

wife

! Doth she not breathe? I thought—

1928

My sight is dim—Oh

, ho!

no!

she’s pale, she’s cold,

she’s pale! she’s cold!

1929

She’s still!--If she were living

she would speak

1930

To comfort me.

—She’s mute, she’s stiff, she’s dead!

She’s mute! she’s stiff! she’s—dead!

1931

Why do I shiver at the word

? I

, that am

1932

Death’s factor

? Peopler of unhallowed graves?

, peopler of unhallowed graves,

1933

Slayer of all my race

? Not

! not

thee! not thee!

1934

Heaven, in its

God, in his

mercy, guided the keen sword

1935

To thy white bosom.—I could not.

—Lie there!

Lie there.

1936

I’ll shroud thee in my mantle.—The rude earth

I’ll shroud thee in my mantle.

covering her with it.

1938

Will veil thy beauty next.

—One kiss! She died

One kiss!--She died

1939

To save me!--One kiss, Annabel!

To save me!--One kiss, Annabel! I slew

1940

But the fiend—the cause—

The slave that killed thee,—but the fiend—the cause—

1941

Is he not coming?—I will chain in life

1942

Till I’ve avenged thee

!--

;

I could slay an army

1943

Now, in my strong despair

.—But that were mercy.—

. But that were mercy.

1944

He must wear daggers in his heart

—

He loved her;

—

1945

I’ll feed his hopes, and then—Aye

, ha, ha, ha!

—ha! ha! ha!

1946

That will be a revenge to make the fiends

1947

Laugh—

ha, ha, ha!--

ha! ha! ha!

I’ll wrap me in this cloak

taking one belonging to the dead bravo.

1948

And in the twilight—So!

—

He will not know

1949

My voice—

frightens me!--I have not hidden

1950

Thee quite, my Annabel

—

There is one tress

1951

Floating in springy grace

—as if—she’s dead!

1952

She’s dead

!--

I must not gaze, for then my heart

1953

Will break before

it’s

its

time.

—He comes!--

He comes.

The stairs

1954

Groan at his pressure.

Enter D’Alba, speaking to an Attendant.

Enter D’Alba.

D’Alba.

entering to an Attendant

1955

Stop, and watch the gate.

Back, and watch the gate!--

1956

All’s tranquil. Where’s the traitor?

Julian.

1957

Dead

D’Alba.

1958

Who slew him?

Julian.

1959

D’Alba.

1960

And the

Lady

lady,

—where is she?

Julian.

1961

At rest.

D’Alba.

1962

Fair

gentleness

Gentleness

! After this perilous storm

1963

She needs must lack repose.

—

I’ll wait her here.

1964

Friend

thou hast done good service to the state

1965

And me

—We’re

; we’re

not ungrateful

—

Julian’s sword

1966

Fails him not often

;

and the slave who fled

1967

Proclaimed him Victor.

Julian.

1968

He slew two.

D’Alba.

1969

And thou

1970

Slew’st him? Aye

there he lies in the ermined cloak

1971

Of royalty, his haughty shroud.

Of royalty, his haughty shroud! Six ells

1975

So be he buried. Let not mine enemy

Let not mine enemy

1976

Call me ungenerous

.—

Roll him in his ermine

1977

And dig a hole without the city gate

1978

For him and the

great Regent.—Quick! I’ll have

proud Regent. Quick! I’d have

1979

The funeral speedy

.—Ah,

. Ah!

the slaughtering sword

1980

Lies by him, brown with clotted gore.

—Hence! Hence!

Hence! hence!

1981

And drag the

Carrion with thee!

carrion with thee.

Julian.

1982

Wilt thou not

1983

Look on the

Corse

corse

D’Alba.

1984

I cannot wait her waking.

1985

I must go feast my eyes on her fair looks—

1986

Divinest Annabel!

—my widowed bride!

My widowed bride!--

1987

Where is she?

Julian.

uncovering the body

1988

There

Now gaze thyself to Hell!

1989

Gloat with hot love upon that beauteous dust!

—

1990

She’s safe! She’s dead!

D’Alba.

1991

Julian!

Julian.

1992

But touch her not

1993

She’s mine.

D’Alba.

1994

perfectest and loveliest thing!

1995

Eternal curses rest upon his head

1996

Who murdered thee!

Julian.

1997

Off! off!

ollute her not!

1998

She’s white!

she’s pure!--Curses! Pour curse for curse

She’s pure!--Curses! Now curse for curse

1999

On the foul murderer

, on

! On

him who turned

2000

The sweet soul from her home, who slew her father,

2001

Hunted her husband as a beast of prey,

2002

Pursued, imprisoned, lusted, left no gate

2003

Open

save that to Heaven

—Off! gaze not on her!

2004

Thy look is profanation!

Throwing himself on the body.

Enter Alfonso, Leanti,

Valore & Guards.

Valore, &c.

Alfon.

Entering.

2006

Now, Leanti,

Here, Leanti!

2007

This way!

—Oh,

sight of horror! Julian! Julian!

Valore.

2008

The Princess dead!

—Why,

Why

D’Alba—

Leanti.

2009

Seize him

guards

;

2010

Lead him before the States

.—

This bloody scene

2011

Calls for deep vengeance

D’Alba.

2012

If I were not weary

2013

a world that sweats under a load of fools

—

2014

Old creaking vanes

that turn as the wind changes

—

2015

Lords, I’d defy ye!

I’d live on for ever!

2016

And I defy ye now

.—

For she is gone—

2017

The glorious vision!--

nd the Patriarch’s years

2018

Were valueless

.—

Do with me as ye will;

—

2019

Ye cannot call back her.

Leanti.

2020

Off with him!

Exit D’Alba guarded. Alfon.

2021

Julian!

Wilt thou not speak?

Julian.

2022

I have been thanking

eaven

2023

That she is dead.

Valore.

2024

His wits are gone.

Alfon.

2025

My Julian

2026

Look on me

.—

Dost thou know me? I’m thy Cousin,

2027

Thy comforter

Julian.

2028

She was my

omforter!

2029

And now—

but I do know thee, thou’rt the King,

But I do know thee; thou’rt the King;

2030

The pretty boy I loved

.—She loved thee too.—

—She loved thee too!

2031

I’m glad thou’rt come to close my eyes.

—Draw nearer,

Draw nearer

2032

That I may see thy face

.—

Where art thou?

Alfon.

2033

Here!

Julian.

2034

Poor child

he weeps! Send for the

honored

honoured

dead

2035

Beside the city gate

—he pardoned me!

2036

Bury us in one grave

—all in one grave!

2037

I did not kill her

—

Strew her with white flowers,

2038

For she was innocent

Leanti.

2039

Cheer thee! Take hope!

Valore.

2040

Raise up his head

Alfon.

2041

My Julian!

Julian.

2042

He forgave me,

—

2043

Thou know’st he did.—White flowers

—nothing but white.

! Nothing but white!

Dies.

Leanti.

2044

He is

He’s

gone!

Alfon.

2045

And I am left in the wide world

2046

Alone

.—

My Julian!

End of the Play.

THE END.

Version pub_1823: Digitized reproduction of the 2nd edition of Julian, A Tragedy in Five Acts by Mary Russell Mitford London G. and W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria Lane. 1823 . Digitized by Google Books Feb 23, 2006.

Act 1:

Scene 1:

An Elegant apartment in the royal palace. The windows opening on a Balcony, adorned with flowers.

An Apartment in the Royal Palace.

Julian sleeping on a couch—Annabel

An Apartment in the Royal Palace. Julian sleeping on a Couch. Annabel.

Annab.

;

still he sleeps

—

’Twas but the myrtle bud

Tapping against the casement, as the wind

Stirred in the leafy branches. Well he loved

That pleasant bird-like sound, which, as a voice

Summoned

Summon’d

us forth into the fresher air

Of eve, or early morn. Ah! when again—

And yet his sleep is hopeful. For seven nights

He had not tasted slumber. Who comes here?

Enter Alfonso

, (as Theodore)

as Theodore

The gentle page! Alas! To wake him now!

Hush, Theodore! Tread softly—softlier, boy!

Alfon-

Doth he still sleep?

Annab.

Speak lower.

Alfon

Doth he sleep?

Annab

Come this way, Theodore! Here, close to me

Avoid the couch; come this way; close to me.

He sleeps. He hath not

mov’d

moved

in all the hours

That thou hast been away.

Alfon.

Then we may hope,

Dear lady, we may hope!

Annab.

Alas! Alas!

See how he lies, scarce breathing. Whilst I hung

Over his couch

I should have thought him dead,

but for his short and frequent sighs.

Alfon

Ah me!

Not even in slumber can he lose the sense

Of that deep

misery. And

misery; and

I—he wakes!

Dost thou not see the quivering mantle heave

With sudden motion?

Annab.

Thou hast wakened him.

Thy clamorous grief hath roused him. Hence!

egone!

Leave me!

Alfon.

And yet his eyes are closed. He sleeps.

He did but move his hand.

Annab.

How changed he is!

How pale!

ow wasted! Can one little week

Of pain and sickness so have faded thee,

My princely Julian! But eight days ago

There lived not in this gladsome Sicily

So glad a spirit. Voice, and step, and eye,

All were one happiness

;

till that dread hour,

When

drest in sparkling smiles, radiant and glowing,

With tender thoughts, he flew to meet the King

And his great father. He went forth alone

;

Frenzy and grief came back with him.

~~Annab.~~

Alf.

And I,

Another grief.

Annab.

Thou wast a comforter.

All stranger as thou art, hast thou not shared

My watch as carefully, as faithfully,

As I had been thy sister?

Aye, and he

If ever in this wild mysterious woe

One sight or sound hath cheered him, it hath been

A glance, a word of thine.

Alf.

He knows me not.

Ann.

He knows not me.

Alfon.

I never heard before

That ’twas to meet the

ing

that

yon

fatal night

—

Knowingly, purposely

—

How could he guess

That they should meet? What moved him to that thought?

Annab.

Stranger,

altho’

although

thou be, thou

can’st

canst

but know

Prince Julian’s father is the regent here,

And rules for his young kinsman

, King Alfonso.

King Alfonso!

Alfon.

Aye!-- for Alfonso?

Aye—Poor Alfonso!

Annab.

Where

Wherefore

pity him?

Alfon.

I know not

;

—

but I am an

rphan too

I interrupt thee,

ady.

Annab.

Yet, in truth,

A gentle pity lingers round the name

Of King Alfonso

orphaned, as thou say

’

st,

And drooping into sickness

when he lost

His father

—E

, e

ver since, the mournful boy

Hath dwelt in the Villa d’Oro.

Alf.

Hast thou seen him?

Annab.

The King? No— I’m of Naples. When Prince Julian

First brought me here

a bride, his royal cousin

Was fixed beside his father’s dying bed.

I never saw him

yet I know him well

;

For I have sate

and

listened

listen’d,

hour by hour,

To hear my husband speak of the fair

prince

Prince,

And his excelling virtues.

Alf.

Did he?

Ah!

—Ah!--

But ’twas his wont, talking of those he loved,

To gild them with the rich, and

burnished

burnish’d

glow

Of his own brightness, as the evening sun

Decks all the clouds in glory.

Annab.

Very dear

Was that young boy to Julian

—’twas

. ’Twas

a friendship

Fonder than common, blended with a kind

Protecting tenderness; such as brother

Mightly

Might fitly

shew unto the younger born.

Alfon.

he hath proved it.

Annab.

Thou dost know them both?

Alfon.

I do. Say on, dear

ady.

Annab.

Three weeks since

The Duke of Melfi went to bring his ward

Here to Messina

—

Alfon.

To be crowned. They came not

But wherefore went Prince Julian forth to meet them?

Annab.

Father nor cousin came

, nor Messenger

; nor messenger,

From Regent or from King; and Julian chafed

And fretted at delay. At length, a peasant

No liveried groom; a slow foot-pacing serf,

Brought tidings that the royal two

that morn

Left Villa d’Oro. Glowing from the

chace,

chase

Prince Julian stood, the bridle in his hand,

New lighted, soothing now his prancing steed.

100

And prattling now to me;— for I was still

101

So foolish fond to fly into the porch

102

To meet him, when I heard the quick sharp tread

103

Of that bright Arab, whose proud step I knew

104

Even as his master’s voice. He heard the tale

105

And instant sprang again into his seat,

106

Wheeled round, and darted off at such a pace

107

As the fleet greyhound, at her speed, could scarce

108

Have matched. He spake no word; but as he passed,

110

Just glanced back at me, with his

gladsome

dancing

eyes,

111

And such a smile of joy, and such a wave

112

Of his plumed bonnet

—

His return thou know’st.

Alfon.

113

I was

its

his

wretched partner.

Annab.

114

He on foot,

115

Thou on the

o’er travell’d horse;

o’er-travelled horse,

slow, yet all stained

116

With sweat, and panting, as if

fresh

escaped

117

From hot pursuit; and how he called for wine

118

For his poor Theodore, his faithful page

;

119

Then sate him down

and shook with the cold fit

120

Of anguish fever, till the strong couch rocked

121

Like a child’s cradle. There he sate and

sighed,

sigh’d;

122

And then the frenzy came. Theodore!

Alfon.

123

Lady!

Annab.

124

He utters nought but madness

;

;—

yet sometimes,

125

Athwart his ravings, I have thought—

have feared—

126

Theodore, thou must know the cause

Alfon.

127

Too well.

Annab.

128

Oh, tell me

—

Alfon.

129

Hush!

e wakes

Alfonso retires behind the couch, out of Julian’s sight.

Annab.

Going to Julian, whilst Alfonso keeps behind the couch, out of his sight

130

Julian! dear Julian!

Julian! Dear Julian!

Julian

131

Sure I have slept a long, long while! Where am I?

132

How came I hither? Whose kind hand is this?

133

My Annabel!

Annab.

134

Oh, what a happiness

135

To see thee

gently

wake from gentle sleep!

136

Art thou not better? Shall I raise thee up?

Julian

137

Aye, dearest. Have I

then been ill? I’m weak,

138

I trouble thee, my sweet one.

Annab.

139

’Tis a joy

140

To minister unto thee.

Julian

141

Wipe my brow

142

And part these locks, that the fresh air may cool

143

My forehead

—Feel,

; feel;

it burns.

Annab.

144

Alas! how wild

145

This long neglect hath made thy glossy curls

146

How tangled!

Julian

147

I am faint. Pray

lay me down.

148

Surely the day is stifling

Annab.

149

There.

—

Good boy.

150

Throw wide the casement. Doth not the soft breeze

151

Revive thee?

Julian

153

Yes. I’m better. I will rise.

154

Raise me again;—more upright;— So! Dear wife,

155

A sick man is as wayward as a child;

156

Forgive me. I have I been long ill.

Have I been long ill?

Annab.

157

A week.

Julian

158

I have no memory of aught. ’Tis just

159

Like waking from a dream

;

a horrible

160

Confusion of strange miseries

;

crime and blood

161

And all I love.— Great

eaven, how clear it seems!

162

How like a truth! I thought that I rode forth

163

On my white Barbary horse

—

Say, did I ride

164

Alone that day?

Annab.

165

Yes.

Julian.

166

Did I? Could I? No.

167

Thou dost mistake. I did not. Yet

’tis strange

168

How plain that horror lives within my brain

169

As what hath been.

Annab.

170

Forget it.

Julian.

171

Annabel,

172

I thought I was upon that gallant steed

173

At his full pace. Like clouds before the wind

174

We flew, as easily as the strong bird

175

That soars nearest the sun

, till,

; till

in a pass,

176

Between the mountains, screams and cries

for

help

177

Rang in mine ears, and I beheld—O

heav’n

God

178

It was not—

could not—no! no!

Could not—No.

I have been sick

179

Of a sharp fever, and delirium shews,

180

And to the bodily sense makes palpable

181

Unreal forms, objects of sight and sound

182

Which have no being

save in the burning brain

183

Of the poor sufferer. Why should it shake me

Annab.

184

Could

’

st thou walk to the window

and quaff down

185

The fragrant breeze, it would revive thee more

186

Than food or sleep. Forget these evil dreams.

187

Can

’

st thou not walk?

Julian.

188

I’ll try.

Annab.

189

Lean upon me,

190

And Theodore. Approach dear boy; support him.

Alfonso approaches Julian Julian.

Eyeing him

seeing Alfonso

191

Ha!

art thou there? Thou? I am blinded. dazzled.

Art thou here? Thou! I am blinded, dazzled!

192

Is this a vision

this fair shape

that seems

193

A living child? Do I dream now?

Annab.

194

He is

195

Young Theodore

, the

. The

page, who that sad night

196

Returned

—

Julian.

197

Then

all is real. Lay me down

198

That I may die

Alfon.

199

Alas! I feared too surely

200

That when he saw me,—

Annab.

201

Julian! This is grief

202

Not sickness

Julian!

Alfon.

203

Rouse him not, dear

ady!

204

See how his hands are clenched

!--

Waken him not

205

To frenzy

! Oh,

. Oh

that I alone could bear

206

This weight of misery

Annab.

207

He knows the cause,

208

And I— It is my right, my privilege

209

To share thy woes, to soothe them. I’ll weep with thee,

210

And that will be a comfort. Did

’

st thou think

211

Thou could’st be dearer to me than before

212

When thou wast well and happy? But thou art

213

Now. Tell me this secret.

~~Oh, spare my heart~~

I’ll be faithful,

214

I’ll never breathe a word.

—Oh,

spare my heart

215

This agony of doubt! What was the

~~horror~~

horror

216

That maddened thee?

Julian.

217

Within the rifted rocks

218

Of high Albano, rotting in a glen,

219

Dark, dark at very noon, a father lies

220

Murdered by his own son.

Annab.

221

And thou did

’

st see

222

The deed! An

aweful

awful

sight to one so good!

223

Yet—

Julian.

224

Birds obscene, and wolf, and ravening fox,

225

Ere this— only the dark hairs on the ground.

226

And the brown crusted blood! And she can ask

227

Why I am mad!

Annab.

228

Oh! a thrice

aweful

awful

night

229

To one so duteous! Holy priests should lave

230

With blessed water that foul spot, and thou,

231

Pious and pitying, thou shalt—

Julian.

232

Hear at once,

233

Innocent

torturer; that, drop by drop,

Torturer, that drop by drop

234

Pour’st

moulten

molten

lead into my wounds

, that

—that

glen—

235

Hang not upon me

—In that darksome glen

236

My father lies. I am a murderer

237

A parricide

! Accurst of god and man!

, accurst of God and man.

238

Let go my hand

. Purest

! purest

and whitest saint,

239

Let go

Annab.

240

This is a madness. Even now

241

The fever shakes him.

Julian.

242

Why, the mad are happy

243

Annabel, this is a soul-slaying truth.

244

There stands a witness.

Alfon.

245

Julian knew him not.

246

It was to save a life, a worthless life

247

that I had but died beneath the sword

248

Which seemed to tremble!

That seemed so terrible!

That I had ne’er

249

Been born to grieve thee

Julian! Pardon me,

250

Dear

ady, pardon me!

Annab.

251

Oh, gentle boy,

252

How shall we soothe this grief?

Alfon.

253

Alas

alas!

254

Why did he rescue me

I’m a poor orphan;

255

None would have wept for me

;

I had no friend

256

In all the world

, but one.

save one. I had been reared

In simpleness; a quiet grave had been

A fitter home for me than the rude world;

A mossy heap, no stone, no epitaph,

Save the brief words of grief and praise (for Grief

Is still a Praiser) he perchance had spoke

When they first told him the poor boy was dead.

257

Shame on me, that I shunned the sword

Julian.

258

heaven

Heaven,

259

It could not be a crime to save thee!

Kneel

kneel

260

Before him, Annabel. He is the

King.

king

Annab.

261

Alfonso

Alfon.

262

Aye, so please you, fairest Cousin,

263

But still your servant. Do not hate me,

ady,

264

Tho’

Though

I have caused this misery. We have shared

265

One care, one fear, one hope

; have watched &

, have watched and

wept

266

Together! Oh,

Together. Oh

how often I have longed,

267

As we sate silent by his restless couch,

268

To fall upon thy neck

and mix our

~~fears~~

tears,

269

And talk of him. I am his own poor Cousin.

270

Thou wilt not hate me

Annab.

271

Save that lost one, who

272

Could hate such innocence?

Julian.

273

’Twas not in hate,

274

But wild ambition. No ignoble sin

275

Dwelt in his breast. Ambition, mad ambition,

276

That was his

dol. To that bloody god

277

He offered up the

milk white

milk-white

sacrifice,

278

The pure, unspotted

ictim. And even then,

279

Even in the crime, without a breathing space

280

For penitence, or prayer, my sword—Alfonso,

281

Thou would’st have gone to

eaven.

Annab.

282

Art thou certain

283

That he is dead?

Julian.

284

I saw him fall. The ground

285

Was covered with his blood.

Annab.

286

Tell me the tale.

287

Did

’

st thou— I would not wantonly recall

288

That scene of anguish

—

Did

’

st thou search his wound?

Julian.

289

Annabel, in my eyes that scene will dwell

290

For ever, shutting out all lovely sights,

291

Even thee, my Beautiful! That torturing thought

292

Will burn

a living fire within my breast

293

Perpetually; words can nothing add,

294

And nothing take away. Fear not my frenzy;

295

I am calm now. Thou know’st how buoyantly

296

I darted from

the straight,

thee, straight

o’er vale

and

hill,

297

Counting the miles by minutes. At the pass

298

Between the Albano mountains, I

first breathed

299

A moment my hot steed, expecting still

300

To see the royal escort. Afar off

301

As I stood, shading with my hand my eyes,

302

I thought I saw them; when

, at once,

at once

I heard

303

From the deep glen, east of the pass, loud cries

304

Of mortal terror. Even in agony

305

I knew the voice, and darting

thro’

through

the trees.

306

I saw Alfonso, prostrate on the ground,

307

Clinging around the knees of one, who held

308

A dagger over him

in act to strike,

309

Yet

with averted head, as if he feared

310

To see his innocent victim. His own face

311

Was hidden

;

till at one spring I plunged my sword

312

Into his side; then our eyes met, and he—

313

That was the mortal blow! —screamed and stretched out

314

His hands. Falling and dying as he was,

315

He half rose up, hung speechless in the air,

316

And looked—Oh what had been the bitterest curse

317

To such a look! It smote me like a sword!

318

Here, here

, he

. He

died.

Annab.

319

And thou

—

Julian.

320

I could have lain

321

In that dark glen for ever; but there stood

322

The

dear-bought and the dear

dear-bought, and the dear,

kinsman and prince

323

And friend. We heard the far-off clang of steeds

324

And armed men, and fearing some new foe,

325

Came homeward.

Annab.

326

And did he, then, the unhappy,

327

Remain upon the ground?

Julisn.

328

Alas! he did.

Annab.

329

Oh! it was but a swoon. Listen, dear Julian,

330

I tell thee

I have comfort.

Julian.

331

There is none

332

Left in the world. But I will listen to thee

333

aithfullest.

Annab.

334

Count D’Alba sent to crave

335

An audience. Thou wast sleeping. I refused

336

To see him; but his messenger revealed

337

To Constance his high tidings, which she poured

338

In my unwilling ears

;

for I so feared

339

To wake thee, that ere half her tale was told

340

I chid her from me

. Yet

; yet

she surely said

341

The Duke

thy father—

Julian.

342

What?

Annab.

343

Approached the city.

Julian.

344

Alive? Alive?

Oh! no!

Oh no!

no! no! Dead! Dead!

345

The corse

! the clay cold

, the clay-cold

corse!

Annab.

346

Alive, I think;

347

But Constance—

Julian.

Alf.

348

He will sink under this shock

349

Of hope.

Annab.

350

Constance heard all.

Julian.

351

Constance! What ho

352

Constance!

Annab.

353

She hears thee not.

Julian.

354

Go seek her

,—fly

! Fly

355

If he’s alive

, why

—Why

art thou not returned

356

When that one little word will save two souls

Exit Annabel. Alfon.

357

Take patience, dearest

cousin.

Cousin!

Julian.

358

Do I not stand

359

Here

like a man of marble? Do I stir?

360

She creeps; she creeps. Thou would’st have gone and back

361

In half the time.

Alfon.

362

Nay, nay, ’tis scarce a minute.

Julian.

363

Thou may’st count hours and ages on my heart.

—

364

Is she not coming?

Alfon.

365

Shall I seek her?

Julian.

366

Hark!

367

They’ve met. There are two steps; two silken gowns

368

Rustling

;

one whispering voice. Annabel! Constance

369

Is he—one word!

—

Only one word!

Enter Annabel. Annab.

370

He lives

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch. Alfonso & Annabel go to him. Scene drops.

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch; Alfonso and Annabel go to him, and the scene falls.

End of the First Act.

Act 2d.

II.

Scene 1

A splendid Hall of Audience in the

Royal Palace.

royal Palace, magnificently decorated.

D’Alba and Bertone, entering.

D’Alba and Bertone.

D’Alba.

373

Again refuse to see me!

Bert.

374

Nay, my lord,

375

She’s still beside her husband’s couch, and Paolo

376

Refused to bear the message.

D’Alba.

377

Even her lacquey

378

Reads my hot love

and her contempt

No matter

379

How’s Julian?

Bert.

380

Mending fast.

D’Alba.

381

He’ll live! He’ll live!

382

She watches over him, making an air

383

With her sweet

breath. He’ll

breath;—he’ll

be immortal! Yet

384

If that dark tale be true

, or half.

—or half—

Bertone,

385

Haste to the

court of guard. Seek

Court of Guard; seek

Juan Castro,

386

A Spanish soldier

. Lead

; lead

him home. I’ll join ye.

387

Hence! I expect the Barons, whom I summoned

388

To meet me here. Come back

See if the Princess

389

Will now admit me. No!

—’Twould

’twould

wake suspicion.

390

Hence to the Court of Guard

Exit Bertone

391

I think that scorn

392

Doth fan love more than beauty. Twice to-day

393

Have I paced patiently these royal halls,

394

Like some expecting needy courtier. Swell not,

395

Proud charmer, thy vast debt! Where lag these Barons?

396

Methinks this change might rouse—

Enter Calvi, followed by other

Lords

Nobles

397

Ha, Calvi! Welcome.

Ha! Calvi, welcome.

Calvi.

398

A fair good morrow, D’Alba

D’Alba.

399

Hast thou heard

400

These heavy tidings? The young king

King—

Meeting the other lords, as they drop in

Approaching to meet the other Lords as they enter.

401

My Lords,

402

Good morrow’s out of date

Know ye the news?

So men salute to-day.

Calvi.

403

Alfonso’s dead!--

Alfonso dead?

D’Alba.

404

Murdered

Calvi.

405

And Melfi, King?

And Melfi King.

D’Alba.

406

Giving a Letter Aye, here’s a letter from the great regent.—

Aye, here’s a letter.giving a letter to Calvi.

408

Pshaw! How my rude tongue

From the great Regent—Pshaw! how my rude tongue

410

Stumbles at these new dignities

! The

!--the

King.

411

Therefore I summoned ye. He will be here

412

Anon.

Enter Valore and other Nobles.

413

Valore, thou art late.

Valore.

414

This tale

415

Puts lead into men’s heels. How fell it?

D’Alba.

416

Read

417

Count Calvi! Read!

Calvi. reads

Alfonso being dead, and I hurt almost to death, they left me fainting on the ground, where I lay

till a poor

but honest

muleteer bore me to his hut.—-

418

He hath been wounded!

D’Alba.

427

He’s alive. The boy only,

He’s alive. The boy!

428

Only the pretty boy! Read on. Read on

Calvi. reads

Make known these missives to our loyal people. We shall follow them straight. From your loving cousin,

"The King."

Valore.

439

The King. How he will wear his state!

How proudly he will wear his state.

Why, D’Alba,

440

Thy worshipped Annabel chose well

. She’ll

; she’ll

441

A Queen.

D’Alba.

442

Yet

my poor title, had she graced it,

443

Comes by

unquestioned

unquestion’d

sheer descent,

unstained

unstain’d

444

By dark, mysterious murder. My good

Fathers,

fathers

—

445

Heaven rest their souls!

lie

—lie

safely in the churchyard,

446

A simple race

! Whilst

; whilst

these high

rinces—Sirs,

447

These palace walls have echoes, or I’d tell ye

—

448

’Tis a deep riddle

—

but amongst them all

449

The pretty boy is dead.

Enter Leanti

450

Leanti!

Leanti.

451

Lords,

452

The King is at the gate.

D’Alba.

453

The King! Now, Sirs,

454

Don your quick smiles, and bend your supple knees

;

—

455

The King!

Enter Melfi. aside

456

He’s pale

,—he

, he

hath been hurt.aloud My liege,

457

Your vassals bid you welcome.

Melfi.

458

Noble Signors,

459

I greet you well. Thanks, D’Alba. Good Leanti

460

I joy to see those reverend locks. I never

461

Thought to behold a friendly face again.

462

And now I bring ye sorrow. Death hath been

463

Too busy

, tho’

; though

the ripe and bearded ear

464

Escaped

Escap’d

his sickle—but ye know the tale;

465

Ye welcomed me as King

;

and I am spared

466

The painful repetition.

Valore.

467

Sire, we know

468

From your own royal hand enough for joy

469

And sorrow. Death hath ta’en a goodly

boy,

child

470

And spared a glorious man. But how—

Melfi.

471

My lord,

472

What wouldst thou more? Before I entered here

473

Messina’s general voice had hailed her Sovereign

474

Lacks but the ceremonial form. ’Twere best

475

Th’

The

accustomed pageant were performed even now,

476

Whilst ye, Sicilian Barons, strength

and

grace

477

Of our Sicilian realm, are here to pledge

478

Solemn allegiance. Say I sooth, Count D’Alba?

D’Alba.

479

In sooth my liege, I know not. Seems to me

480

One form is wanting. Our bereaved state

481

Stands like a widow, one eye dropping tears

482

For her lost lord, the other turned with smiles

483

On her new bridegroom. But even she, the Dame

484

Of Ephesus, the buxom relict, famed

485

For quick dispatch o’er every widowed mate,

486

Woman or state

—

even she, before she wed,

487

Saw the good man entombed. The

funeral first,

Funeral first;

488

And then the

coronation!

Coronation.

Melfi.

489

Scoffer! Lords,

490

The corse is missing.

Calvi.

491

Ha!

perchance he lives.

Perchance he lives?

Melfi.

492

He fell, I tell thee.

Valore.

493

And the Assassin is?—

And the Assassin?

Melfi.

494

He escaped

495

When I, too, fell.

Escaped, when I too fell.

D’Alba.

496

He! Why, my liege,

497

Was there but one?

Melfi.

498

What mean ye, Sirs? Stand off

D’Alba.

499

Cannot your Highness guess the murderer?

Melfi.

500

Stand from about me, Lords! Dare ye to front

501

A King? What

d’ye

do ye

doubt me

;

you, or you?

502

Dare ye to doubt me? Dare ye look a question

503

Into mine eyes? Take thy gaze off! A

king

King

504

Demands a modester regard. Now, Sirs,

505

What do ye seek? I tell ye, the fair boy

506

Fell underneath the

Assassin’s sword,

assassin’s sword;

and I,

507

Wounded almost to death, am saved to prove

508

My subjects’ faith, to punish, to reward,

509

To reign, I tell ye, nobles. Now, who questions?

510

Who glares upon me now?

What,

What!

are ye mute?

Leanti.

511

Deign to receive our homage, Sire, and pardon

512

The undesigned offence. Your

highness

Highness

knows

513

Count D’Alba’s mood.

Melfi.

514

And he knows mine. Well! Well!

515

Be all these heats forgotten.

A pause, during which, Melfi looks round the circle

Calvi. to D’Alba

516

How his eye

517

Wanders around the circle

Melfi.

518

Ye are met,

519

Barons of Sicily, in such august

520

And full assemblage

as may well beseem

521

Your office

;

honour well yourselves and me;

522

Yet one is missing,—greatest, first and best,—

523

My son. Knows not Prince Julian

that his father

524

Is here? Will he not come? Go, some one say

525

That I would see him.

Exit Calvi Valore.

526

Sire, the Prince hath lain

527

Sick of a desperate malady.

Melfi.

528

Alas!

And I—

sick, did’st

Sick didst

thou say?

Valore.

529

Eight days have passed

530

Since he hath left his couch.

Leanti.

531

He’s better now.

532

The gentle

princess, who,

Princess, who

with one young page

533

Hath tended him—

Melfi.

534

What page?

Leanti.

535

A stranger boy,

536

Seen but of few, young Theodore.

Melfi.

537

A stranger!

538

Say on. The

princess—

Princess—?

Leanti.

539

As I crossed the hall,

540

I met her

with her own glad step, her look

541

Of joy

, and when I asked how fared prince Julian,

; and when I asked how fared Prince Julian?

542

She put her white hands into mine, with such

543

A smile, and then passed on

—

Melfi.

544

Without a word?

Leanti.

545

Without a word, save the mute eloquence

546

Of that bright smile.

D’Alba.aside

547

Oh! ’twas enough! On him!

Oh ’twas enough! on him!

548

Smile on that dotard! Whilst I

—

aloud Why

my lords,

549

Here’s a fine natural sympathy

;

the son

550

Sickens at the father’s wound! The very day

,—

551

The very hour

He must have known the deed

;

—

552

Perchance

he knows the

Assassin.

assassin—

Melfi.

553

Stop

D’Alba.

554

My liege,

555

I speak it in his

honor

honour

. Many an heir

556

Had been right glad to step into a throne

557

Just as the mounting pulse of youth beat high

;—

558

A soldier

too!

And

and

with a bride so fair,

559

So delicate, so fashioned for a Queen

560

By cunning nature. But he—for full surely

561

He knew—

Melfi.

562

Stop—no, no, no—

Stop. No, no, no,

he knew it not!

563

He is my son

Enter Calvi,

follow’d

followed

by Julian. Calvi.

564

My liege, the Prince

,—

Melfi.

565

Already!

566

Pardon me, good my lords, that I request

567

A moment’s loneliness. We have been near

568

To death since last—Have touched upon the grave

—

569

And there are thoughts, which only our own hearts

570

Should hear. I pray ye

pardon me. I’ll join ye

571

Within the hour for the procession.

Exeunt D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi &c.

Melfi.

572

Julian!

Julian. Melfi. Julian.

576

Father!

Melfi.

577

I know what thou would’st say

. The hat

And sable plumes concealed—No more of it.

Julian.

Melfi.

Jul.

Oh, Father!

Melfi.

Rise, my son. Let us forget

What—How is Annabel? They say she has been

A faithful nurse. Thou hast been sick?

Julian.

581

I’m well.

Melfi.

582

Fie! when thou

shakest

tremblest

so.

Julian.

583

I’m well.

Call not these thoughts again—

I have been

584

Sick, brainsick, heartsick, mad

! But that is past!

. I thought—I feared—

585

It was a foretaste of the pains of

ell

586

To be so mad

and yet retain the sense

587

Of that

which made me so.

But all is past,

But thou art here,

588

Is it not, father? Ne’er to live again,

And I—Oh nothing but a father’s heart

589

Even in a dream. Is it not past?

Could ever have forgiven!

Melfi.

590

No more.

No more. No more!

591

Thou hast not told me of thy wife

. They say

Julian.

593

My lord,

She waits

595

To pay her duty

Melfi.

596

Stay

Count D’Alba looked

597

With evil eyes upon thee, and on me

598

Cast his accustomed tauntings. Is there aught

599

Amiss between ye?

Julian.

600

No.

Melfi.

601

He hath not yet

602

Perhaps forgotten your long rivalry

603

For Annabel’s fair hand. A dangerous meaning

604

Lived in those bitter gibes; a

Lurked in those bitter gibes. A

dangerous foe

605

Were D’Alba. Julian, the

sea-breeze

sea breeze

to thee

606

Brings

health and strength

health, and strength,

and joy. I have an errand

607

As far as Madrid. None so well as thou

608

Can bid it speed. There shalt away

to-day.

to day;—

609

Tis thy best medicine—Thou and thy young wife—

’Tis thy best medicine;—thou and thy young wife.

610

The wind is fair.

Julian.

611

To-day!

To day!

Melfi.

612

Have I not said?

Julian.

613

Send me

, just risen from a sick couch,

just risen from a sick couch

to Madrid!

614

Lead

Send

me from home, from thee! Banish me! Father,

615

Can

’

st thou not bear my sight?

Melfi.

616

I cannot bear

617

Contention. Must I needs remind thee, Julian,

618

I have also been ill?

Julian.

619

I’ll go

to-day

to day

620

How pale he is

I had not dared before

621

To look upon his face. I’ll go

to-day

to day

Melfi.

622

This very hour?

Julian.

623

This very hour.

Melfi.

624

My son

625

Now call thy—

Yet a moment—Where’s the boy?

yet a moment. Where’s the boy—

He shall aboard with thee—thy pretty page

Julian.

626

The king! Mean’st thou the king?

The King? Mean’st thou the King?

Melfi.

627

He, whom thou call’st—

Julian.

628

Wilt thou not say the

ing?

Melfi.

629

Young Theodore.

630

Harken, prince Julian. I am glad, right glad,

Hearken, Prince Julian! I am glad, right glad

631

Of what hath chanced. ’Twas well to bring him hither

632

And keep him at thy side. He shall away

633

To Spain with thee, that Theodore—Forget

634

All other titles. He’ll be glad of this.

635

A favorite page, a spoilt & petted boy

A favourite page, a spoilt and petted boy,

636

To lie in summer gardens, in the shade

637

Of orange groves, whose pearly blossoms fall

638

Amidst his clustering curls, and to his lute

639

Sing tenderest ditties

—such his happy lot.

,—such his happy lot;

640

Whilst I—

go,

Go,

bring thy wife.

Julian.

641

He is the

ing.

Melfi.

642

Call lady Annabel.

Julian.

643

The

king, I say!

King, I say,

644

The rightful

king! The only king!

King, the only King!

I’ll shed

645

The last drop in my veins for

king Alfonso!

King Alfonso.

Melfi.

646

Once I forgave thee. But to beard me thus,

647

And for a weak

and peevish youth, a faintling,

648

A boy of a girl’s temper

;

one who shrinks

649

Trembling and crouching at a look, a word,

650

A lifted finger, like a beaten hound

Julian.

651

Alas! poor boy

he hath no other friend

652

Since thou, who should’st defend him,—

Father! Father!

Father, Father,

653

Three months have scarcely passed since thy dear brother,

654

(Oh, surely thou loved

’

st him!) with the last words

655

He ever spake, besought thy guardian care

656

Of his fair child. Next upon me he turned

657

His dying eyes, quite speechless then, and thou

—

658

I could not speak, for poor Alfonso threw

659

Himself upon my breast

with such a

gust

gush

660

Of natural grief, I had no utterance—

661

But thou didst vow for both protection, faith

662

Allegiance; thou did

’

st swear so fervently,

663

So deeply, that the

Spirit flew to heaven

spirit flew to Heaven

664

Smiling

—

I’ll keep that oath.

Melfi.

665

Even if again—

Even if again thy sword—

Julian.

666

Urge not that thought

upon

me. ’Tis a fire

667

Here in my heart

; my brain. Bethink thee, father,

, my brain. Bethink thee, Father,

668

Soldier, Statesman

Soldier or statesman

, thine is the first name

669

Of Sicily, the General, Regent, Prince,

670

The unmatched in power, the unapproached in fame,—

The unmatch’d in power, the unapproach’d in fame;

671

What could that little word a

ing do more

672

For thee?

Melfi.

673

That little word! Why

that

is fame,

674

And power

and glory! That shall fill the world

675

Lend a whole age its name, and float along

676

The

Stream of Time

stream of time,

with such a buoyancy,

677

As shall endure when palaces and tombs

678

Are swept away like dust. That little word!

679

Beshrew thy womanish heart

that cannot feel

680

Its spell!

Guns without

Guns and shouts are heard without.

681

Hark! Hark! The

Guns! I feel it now

guns! I feel it now.

682

I am proclaimed. Before I entered here

683

’Twas known throughout the

City

city

that I lived,

684

And the boy-king was dead.

Hark! King Rugiero.

Guns, bells, and shouts again.

Hark, King Rugiero!

685

Dost hear the bells, the shouts? Oh

’tis a proud

686

And glorious feeling thus at once to live

687

Within a thousand bounding hearts, to hear

688

The strong out-gushing of that present fame

689

For whose uncertain dim futurity

690

Men toil, and slay, and die! Without a crime—

691

I thank thee still for that—

without a crime,—

Without a crime—

692

For he’ll be happier

,—I am a king!

—I am a King.

Shouts again.

693

Dost thou not hear

, Long live the King, Rugeiro!

Long live the King Rugiero?

Julian.

694

The shout is weak.

Melfi.

695

Augment it by thy voice.

696

Would the words choak

Prince Julian? Cannot he

697

Wish long life to his

ather?

Julian.

698

Live, my

ather!

699

Long live the Duke of Melfi!

Melfi.

700

Live the King!

Julian.

701

Long live the

king,

King

Alfonso!

Melfi.

702

Now, by

eaven,

703

Thou art still brainsick. There is a contagion

704

In the soft dreamy nature of that child,

705

That thou, a soldier—I was

over proud

overproud

706

Of thee

and thy young fame

, that

. That

lofty brow

707

Seemed made

Seem’d form’d

to wear a crown. Chiefly for thee—

708

Where is the

age?

Julian.

709

ather, once again

710

Take pity on us all! For me! For me!

711

Thou hast always been to me the kindest, fondest

—

712

Preventing all my wishes— I’ll not reason,

713

I’ll not contend with thee. Here at thy feet

714

Prostrate in spirit

as in form

I cry

715

For mercy! Save me from despair

from sin!

Melfi.

716

Unmanly,

rise!

est in that slavish posture

717

I treat thee as a slave.

Julian.

718

Smite an thou wilt,

Strike an thou wilt,

719

Thy words

strike deeper, to the very core.

pierce deeper, to the very core!

720

Smite an thou wilt, but hear me. Oh my father,

Strike an thou wilt; but hear me. Oh my Father,

721

I do conjure thee

by that name, by all

722

The boundless love it guerdons, spare my soul

723

This bitterness

Melfi.

724

I’ll reign.

Julian.

725

Aye,

reign, indeed!

reign indeed;

726

Reign over mightier realms! Be conqueror

Rule over mightier realms; be conqueror

727

Of crowned passions! King of thy own mind!

Of crowned passions; king of thy own mind.

728

I’ve ever loved thee as a son,

—Do this,

, do this

729

And I shall worship thee. I will cling to thee

;

730

Thou shalt not shake me off

Melfi.

731

Go to

—Thou’rt mad!

; thou art mad.

Julian.

732

Not yet; but thou may’st make me so.

Melfi.

733

I’ll make thee

734

The heir of a fair crown.

Julian.

735

Not all the power

736

Of all the earth can force upon my brow

737

That heritage of guilt. Cannot I die?

738

But that were happiness

! I’d ~~make thee~~rather drag

. I’d rather drag

739

A weary life

beneath the silent rule

740

Of the stern Trappist, digging my own grave

;

741

Myself a living corse

cut off from the sweet

742

And natural kindness that man shews to man

;

743

I’d rather hang, a hermit, on the steep

744

Of horrid Ætna, between snow and fire,

Of horrid Etna, between snow and fire;

745

Rather than sit

, a crowned and honoured prince,

a crown’d and honour’d prince

746

Guarded by children, tributaries, friends,

747

On an

surper’s throne.

Shouts and guns without

Guns without.

Melfi.

748

I must away.

749

We’ll talk of this anon. Where is the boy

Julian.

750

Safe.

Melfi.

751

Trifle not with my impatience, Julian

;

752

Produce the child.

However

Howe’er

thou may deny

753

Allegiance to the king, obey thy father.

Julian.

754

I had a father.

Melfi.

755

Ha!

Julian.

756

But he gave up

757

Faith, loyalty,

& honor

and honour

, and pure fame,

758

And his own son.

Melfi.

759

My son!

Julian.

760

I loved him once

761

And dearly. Still too dearly! But with all

762

That burning, aching, passionate old love

763

Wrestling within my breast

, even face to face,

; even face to face;

764

Those eyes upon me

;

and that trembling hand

765

Thrilling my very heartstrings—Take it off

766

In mercy, take it off

! Still I renounce thee,

!--Still I renounce thee.

767

Thou hast no son—I

Thou hast no son. I

have no father. Go

768

Down to a childless grave.

Melfi.

769

Even from the grave

770

A father’s curse may reach thee, clinging to thee

771

Cold as a dead man’s shroud, shadowing thy days,

772

Haunting thy dreams, and hanging, a thick cloud

773

’Twixt thee and

heaven. Then when,

Heaven. Then, when

perchance thine own

774

Small prattling pretty ones shall climb thy knee

775

And bid thee bless them, think of thy dead father,

776

And groan

as thou dost now.

Guns again

777

Hark! ’tis the hour

778

I must away. Back to thy chamber, son,

779

And chuse if I shall curse thee.

Exit

Exit Melfi.

Julian.

after a pause

780

Did he curse me?

781

Did he? Am I that withered, blasted wretch?

782

Is that the fire that burns my brain?

not yet,—

Not yet!

783

Oh, do not curse me

yet—

yet!

He’s gone. The boy!

784

The boy!

Exit

Rushes out.

End of Act 2d.

END OF THE SECOND ACT

Act 3d.

ACT III

Scene 1

SCENE.

The interior of a magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the foreground, with steps round it, and the figure of an old Warrior on the top,

A Magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the Foreground, with Steps round it, and the Figure of an old Warrior on the top.

D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi, and other nobles. Calvi.

785

Where stays the

ing?

Leanti

786

He’s robing

to assume

787

The Crown.

Calvi.

788

What a gloom reigns in the Cathedral!

789

Where are the people

who should make and grace

790

This pageant?

Valore.

791

’Tis too sudden.

D’Alba.

792

Saw ye not

793

How coldly, as the slow procession moved,

794

Men’s eyes were fixed upon him? Silently

795

We passed amid dull silence. I could hear

796

The chink of money, which the

eralds flung,

797

Reverberate on the pavement. They

who stooped

798

To gather up the

coin

, looked on the impress

799

Of young Alfonso, sighed

and shook their heads

800

As ’twere his funeral.

Calvi.

801

Methinks this place

802

The general tomb of his high

like,

line

doth cry

803

Shame on us! The mute citizens do mourn him

804

Better than we.

D’Alba

805

Therefore the gates are closed,

806

And none but peers of Sicily may pass

807

The guarded doors

Leanti.

808

Where is Prince Julian?

D’Alba.

809

Sick

810

Here comes the

mighty-one, and the great prelates,

Mighty One, and the great Prelates

811

That shall anoint his haughty brow; ’tis bent

812

With a stern joy

Enter Nobles, Bishops, ~~Abbots~~ &c. in procession. An Abbot, bearing the crown, and lastly Melfi, in royal robes.

Enter Melfi, in Royal Robes, preceded by Nobles, Officers, &c. bearing the Crown, Archbishop, Bishops, &c.

Melfi.

813

No! To no tapered shrine

! Here! This is my Altar;

Here, reverend Fathers, here! This is my altar:

814

The tomb of my great ancestor, who first

815

Won from the Paynim this Sicilian crown,

816

And wore it gloriously; whose name I bear

817

As I will bear his

honoured

honour’d

sceptre. Here,

818

At this most kingly

ltar, will I plight

819

My vow to Sicily, the nuptial vow

820

That links my fate to her

’

s. Here I’ll receive

821

Her Barons’ answering faith. Hear me, thou shade

822

Of great Rugiero, whilst I swear to guard

823

With heart and hand

the realm thy valour won,

824

The laws thy wisdom framed—brave legacy

825

To prince and people! to defend their rights

;

826

To rule in truth and justice

peacefully,

827

If peace may be; and with the aw

ful arm

828

Of lawful power to sweep the oppressor off

829

From thy blest Isle; to be the

peasants’ king,—

Peasants’ King—

830

Nobles, hear that!--the

peasant’s king and yours’

Peasants’ King and yours

831

Look down,

ancestral spirit

Ancestral Spirit

, on my oath,

832

And sanctify and bless it! Now the crown.

D’Alba.

833

What noise is that at the gate?

Melfi.

Crown me, I say.

Archb.

’Tis fallen! Save us from the ill omen!

Melfi.

Save us

From thy dull hands, old dotard! Thou a Priest,

And tremble at the touch of power! Give me

The crown.

D’Alba

It fits thee not.

Melfi.

834

Give me the crown,

835

And with a steady grasp it shall endue

836

These throbbing brows

that burn till they are bound

837

With that bright diadem.

Enter Julian quickly hurrying Alfonso along.

Enter Julian and Alfonso.

Julian

838

Stop! Place it here.

Stop. Place it here!

839

This is the King

the real, the only King!

840

The living King Alfonso!

Melfi.

841

Out, foul traitor!

842

’Tis an impostor.

Julian.

843

Look on him, Count D’Alba!

844

Calvi, Valore, look! Ye know him well.

845

And ye

that never saw him, know ye not

846

His father’s lineaments? Remove thy hand

847

From that fair forehead. ’Tis the pallid brow

848

Bent with pensiveness, the dropping eye

lid,

849

The womanish changing cheek

—his very self!

850

Look on him. Do ye know him? Do ye own

851

Your King?

Calvi.

852

’Tis he

D’Alba

853

The boy himself

Julian.

854

Now place

855

The crown upon his head

, and hear me swear

; and hear me swear

856

Low at his feet, as subject, kinsman,

rince,

857

Allegiance.

Alfon.

858

Rise, dear Cousin.

Julian.

859

Father, kneel,

860

Kneel here with me

thou, his first subject, thou

861

The guardian of the state, kneel first, and vow

862

Thy princely fealty.

Melfi.

863

Hence, abject slave!

864

And thou, young minion—

Julian.

to Alf.

865

Fear not. Father, kneel!

866

Look where thou art. This is no place, my lord,

867

To dally with thy duty: underneath

868

Thy fathers’ sleep; above their banners wave

869

Heavily. Death is round about us. Death

870

And Fame. Have they no voice for thee? Not one,

871

Of one long storied line but lived and died

872

A pure and faithful Knight, and left his son

873

Honour—proud heritage! I am thine heir,

874

And I demand that bright inheritance

875

Unstained, undimmed. Kneel, I implore thee! I,

876

Thy son.

Melfi

877

Off

cursed

Viper

viper

878

Off, ere I hurl thee on the stones!

Julian.

879

I’ve done

880

My duty. Was it not my duty?

Alfon.

881

Julian

882

Sit here by me

—

;

here on the steps.

D’Alba

883

Again

884

We must demand of thee,

Regent, once more,

my Lord of Melfi,

885

How chanced this tale of murder? Here’s our

rince,

886

Safe

and unhurt. But where’s the Assassin? Where

887

The regicide? Where he that wounded thee?

Melfi. Pointing to Julian

888

Demand of him.

D’Alba.

889

Where be

the

these

murderers?

890

Art sure thou saw’st them, Duke? Or was’t a freak

891

Of the deft Fay

Morgana? Did

’

st thou feel

892

The trenchant blade? Or, was the hurt thou talk’st of

893

A fairy wound, a phantasm? Once again

894

I warn thee

speak.

Melfi.

895

Demand Prince Julian, Sir,

896

This work is his.

D’Alba.

897

He speaks not. Little King,

898

What say’st thou?

Alfon.

899

Julian saved me.

D’Alba.

900

Saved! From whom?

901

From what

Alfon.

902

ing should have no memory

903

But for good deeds. My lords, an it so please you

904

We’ll to the

alace. I’ll not wear to-day

905

This crown

: Some fitting season,

. Some fitting season;

but not now.

906

I’m weary. Let us home.

D’Alba.

907

Aye, take him hence

908

Home with him, Count Valore. Stay by him

909

Till I come to ye. Leave him not

.—

Nay, Calvi,

910

Remain. Hence with the boy.

Alfon.

911

ousin Julian,

912

Wilt thou not go with us?

Julian.

913

I’ve done my duty

—

914

Was’t not my duty? But look there

look there!

915

I cannot go with thee. I am his now

916

All his

Alfon.

917

Uncle

—

Melfi.

918

Away,

bright worm

bright spotted worm

—

D’Alba

919

What

ho! the guard!

Alfon.

920

My lord, where Julian is

921

I need no guard. Question no more of this,

922

But follow us.

Exeunt

Valore, Alfonso,

Alfonso, Valore,

and other nobles.

Melfi.

923

I do contemn myself

924

That I hold silence. Warriors, kinsmen, friends,

925

Barons of Sicily, the valiant princes

926

Of this most fertile and thrice famous Isle,

927

Hear me! What yonder crafty Count hath dared,

928

With subtle question

and

derive

derisive

smile

929

To slide into a meaning, is as true

930

As he is false. I would be King

;

I’d reign

931

Over fair Sicily; I’d call myself

932

Your Sovereign, Princes; thine, Count D’Alba, thine,

933

Calvi, and old Leanti

:—We’ve been

—we were

comrades

934

Many a year in the rough path of war

935

And now ye know me all. I’ll be a King

936

Fit for this warlike nation, which brooks sway

937

Only of men. Yon slight fair boy is born

938

With a woman’s heart. Let him go tell his beads

939

For us

and for our kingdom

. I’ll be King,

, I’ll be King.

940

I’ll lend unto that title such a name

941

As shall enchase this bauble with one blaze

942

Of honour. I’ll lead on to glory,

ords,

943

And ye shall shine in the brightness of my fame

944

As planets round the sun. What say ye?

D’Alba.

945

Never!

Calvi and others.

Calvi, &c.

946

Never!

Melfi.

947

Say thou, Leanti, thou’rt a soldier

948

Worthy of the name

,—

a brave one! What say’st thou?

Leanti.

949

If young Alfonso—

D’Alba.

950

Peace

! Why,

. Why

this is well.

951

This morning I received a tale—I’m not

952

An over-believer in man’s excellence;

953

I know that in this slippery path of life

954

The firmest foot may fail; that there have been

955

Ere now

ambitious generals, grasping heirs,

956

Unnatural kinsmen, foul usurpers, murderers

!--

957

I know that man is frail, and might have fallen

958

Tho’ Eve had never lived

, albeit,

,—Albeit

I own

959

The smiling mischief’s potency. But this,

960

This tale was made up of such several sins,

961

All of them devilish, treason, treachery,

962

And pitiless cruelty made murder pale

963

With their red shame

. I doubt not readily,

,—I doubt not readily

964

When man and guilt are joined—but this the common

965

And general sympathy

that links our kind

966

Forbade to believe. Yet

, now,

now

before ye all,

967

His peers and mine, before the vacant throne

968

He sought to usurp, before the crown that fell

969

As conscious from his brow

I do arraign

970

Rugiero, Duke of Melfi, General, Peer,

971

Regent

and Prince, of

reason.

Melfi.

972

Treason! D’Alba

973

We quarrel not for words. Let these but follow

974

And bold emprise shall bear a happier name.

975

Sicilians, have ye lost your Island spirit?

976

Barons, is your ancient bravery tamed down

977

By this vain scoffer? I’ll to the people. They

978

Love their old soldier.

D’Alba.

979

Stop. Duke

I arraign thee

980

Of murder; planned, designed, attempted murder,

981

Though incomplete, on the thrice sacred person

982

Of young Alfonso, kinsman, ward, and

ing.

983

Wilt thou defend this too? Was’t a brave deed

984

To draw the

ssassin’s sword on that poor child?

985

Seize him!

Melfi.

986

Come near who dares! Where be thy proofs?

987

Where be thy witnesses?

D’Alba.

988

There’s one

Prince Julian,

989

Rouse thee!

He props himself against the tomb, as though

He sits erect and motionless

990

A statue too.—Only he trembles so.

As yon ancestral image. Doth he breathe?

991

Rouse thee, and answer

as before thy

god.

God,

992

As there is truth in

heaven, did’st

Heaven. Didst

thou not see

993

Thy father’s sword at young Alfonso’s breast?

994

Lay not the boy

already dead with fear,

995

At his false guardian’s feet? Answer!

Melfi.

996

Aye, speak,

997

Prince Julian! Dost thou falter now?

On! On!

On, on,

998

And drive the dagger home

On, on, I say.

Calvi.

999

We wait your Highness’ answer.

Leanti. Julian.

1005

Which among ye

1006

Dares question me? What are ye, Sirs?

D’Alba.

1007

The States of Sicily.

Julian.

1008

The States! Without a head!

1009

Without a King! Without a Regent! States!

1010

The States! Are ye the States that ’gainst all form

1011

Of justice or of guardian law drive on

1012

To bloody trial, him your Greatest? Here, too!

1013

Here! Will ye build up scaffolds in your churches?

1014

And turn grave priests to beadsmen? I’ll not answer.

Calvi.

1015

The rack may force thee.

D’Alba.

1016

He but smiles. Convey

Convey the Duke

1017

The Duke to the Hall of Justice. We shall follow.

To the Hall of Justice. We shall follow straight.

1018

summon Juan Castro thither. Hence!

1019

Why loiter ye?

Melfi.

1024

One

word with thee, Prince Julian.

1025

I pray ye, listen

; ’tis no treason, Lords.

, ’tis no treason, lords.

1026

I would but say, finish thy work

; play

. Play

well

1027

The part that thou hast chosen

; cast

. Cast

aside

1028

All filial yearnings

; be a gallant foe;

. Be a gallant foe.

1029

Rush onward through the fight

; trample me down:

. Trample me down.

1030

Tread on my neck

; be perfect in that quality,

. Be perfect in that quality

1031

Which thou call’st justice

; quell thy womanish weeping,

. Quell thy womanish weakness.

1032

Let me respect the enemy, whom once

1033

I thought my

son

Son

Julian.

1034

Once,

father

Father

Melfi.

1035

I’m no

father.

Father!

1036

Rouse not my soul to curse thee

Tempt me not

1037

To curse thy

mother. She,

Mother—She

whom once I deemed

1038

A saint in purity

. Be resolute.

; Be resolute,

1039

Palter

Falter

not with them. Lie not.

Julian.

1040

Did I ever?

—

Melfi.

1041

Finish thy work. On, soldiers

Exit, guarded.

Exit Melfi, guarded.

D’Alba.

1042

Answer,

rince!

1043

The Duke, as thou hast

heart

heard

, disclaims thee.

Julian.

1044

Dare not

1045

A man of ye say that. I am his son

—

1046

Tremble

lest my sword should prove me so

!--A

;—a

part

1047

Of his own being. He gave me this life,

1048

These senses, these affections. The quick blood

1049

That knocks so strongly at my heart is his—

1050

Would I might spill it for him! Had ye no fathers,

1051

Have ye no sons, that ye would train men up

1052

In parricide? I will not answer ye.

D’Alba.

1053

This passion is thy answer. Could’st thou say

1054

;

in that simple word were more comprised

1055

Than in a

word

world

of fiery eloquence.

1056

Can

’

st thou not utter No? ’Tis short and easy,

1057

The first sound that a stuttering babe will lisp

1058

To his fond nurse

; yet thy tongue stammers at it.

,—yet thy tongue stammers at it!

1059

I ask him if his father be at once

1060

Traitor and

murderer;

Murderer,

and he cannot say

1061

No!

Julian.

1062

Subtle

blood-thirsty fiend! I’ll answer

1063

To nought that thou can

’

st ask. Murderer! The

ing

1064

Lives. Seek of him. One truth I’ll tell thee, D’Alba,

1065

And then the record of that night shall pass

1066

Down to the grave in silence. But one sword

1067

Was stained with blood in yonder glen

—’twas mine

1068

was

the only guilty. This I swear

1069

Before the all-seeing God, whose quenchless gaze

1070

Pierced through that

twilight-hour

twilight hour

. Now condemn

1071

The Duke of Melfi

an ye dare

. I’ll speak no more

! I’ll speak

1072

On this foul question.

No more on this foul question.

Leanti.

1073

Thou the guilty

1074

Thou!

Julian.

1075

I have said it.

D’Alba.

1076

I had heard a tale—

Leanti.

1077

This must be sifted.

D’Alba.

1078

In that twilight hour

1079

A mortal eye beheld them. An old Spaniard,

1080

One of the guard

. By heaven,

—By Heaven

it is a tale

1081

So bloody, so unnatural, man may scarce

1082

Believe it

Leanti

1083

And the

ing still lives.

D’Alba

1084

Why,

’

tis

1085

A mystery. Let’s to the

hall of Justice,

Hall of Justice

1086

And hear this soldier. Sir, they are ambitious,

1087

Father & son

.—We can pass judgement there:

—We can pass judgment there,

1088

This is no place

;

—Leanti, more ambitious

1089

Than thou can

’

st guess.

Julian.

1090

Aye, by a thousand fold!

1091

I am an

aglet born, and can drink in

1092

The sunlight, when the blinking owls go darkling,

1093

Dazzled

and blinded by the day. Ambitious!

1094

I have had

day

dreams would have shamed the visions

1095

Of that great

aster of the world, who wept

1096

For other worlds to conquer. I’d have lived

1097

An age of sinless glory, and gone down

1098

Storied

, and epitaph’d, and chronicled

and epitaphed and chronicled,

1099

To the very end of time

.—Now

. Now

—But I still

1100

May suffer bravely

—may die as a p

, may die as a P

rince,

1101

man.—Ye go to Judgement

Man. Ye go to judgment

. Lords, remember

1102

I am the only guilty.

Calvi

1103

We must needs

1104

On such confession

give you into charge

1105

A prisoner. Ho! Captain.

The Officer & Guards advance.

Leanti.

1106

Goes he with us?

D’Alba.

1107

No; for the

all is near, and they are best

1108

Questioned apart. Walk by me, good Leanti,

1109

And I will shew thee why.

Leanti.

1110

Is’t possible

1111

That Julian

and his father fought?

stabb’d his father?

D’Alba.

1112

No! No!

No. Thou saw’st

1113

They met as friends

. No! No!

; no! no!

Exeunt Calvi and other Lords Enter Annabel

(hastily)

. Annab.

1114

Where is he? Where?

1115

Julian!

D’Alba.

1116

Fair Princess

—

Annab.

1117

Stay me not

—My

. My

Julian!

D’Alba.

1118

how she sinks her head upon his arm!

1119

How her curls kiss his cheek!

nd her white hand

1120

Lies upon his

. The cold,

! The cold

and sluggish husband!

1121

does not clasp that loveliest hand!

doth not clasp that loveliest hand, which nature

Fashioned to gather roses, or to hold

Bunches of bursting grapes.

Leanti.

1122

Count D’Alba, see

1123

We are alone

—Wilt

. Wilt

thou not come?

D’Alba.

1124

Anon.

1125

Now he hath seized her hand, hath dared to grasp

—

1126

He shall not hold it long.

Leanti.

1127

They’ll wait us, Count.

D’Alba.

1128

That white hand shall be mine

Exeunt D’Alba

and

Leanti Julian.

1129

My Annabel,

1130

Why art thou here?

Annab.

1131

They said—I was a fool

1132

That believed them

—Constance said she heard a cry

1133

Down with the Melfi!—and the rumour ran,

Down with the Melfi! and the rumour ran

1134

That there had been a fray, that thou wast slain

:—

1135

But thou art safe, my Julian?

Julian.

1136

As thou

see’st

seest

1137

But thou

Thou

art breathless still.

Annab.

1138

Aye

—

I flew through the streets,

1139

Piercing the crowds like light

I was a fool

—

;

1140

But thou had’st left me on a sudden, bearing

1141

The young Alfonso with thee;—

The young Alfonso with thee, high resolve

1142

Fixed in thine eye. I knew not—Love is fearful;

I knew not—Love is fearful,

1143

And I have learnt to fear.

And I have learnt to fear. But thou’rt not well:—

Julian.

1146

Thou tremblest still.

Annabel.

1147

The Church is cold and lonely; and that seat,

1148

At the foot of yon grim warrior, all too damp

1149

For thee. I like not thus to see thee, Julian,

1150

Upon a tomb. Thou must submit thee still

1151

To thy poor nurse. Home! By the way thou’lt tell me

1152

What hath befallen. Where is Alfonso?

Julian.

1153

Say

1154

The King

the rightful, the acknowledged King!

Annabel, this rude stone’s effigy

Of the founder of our line; the gallant chief

Who swept away the Saracen, and quelled

Fierce civil broils; and, when the people’s choice

Crowned him, lived guardian of their rights, and died

Wept by them as a father. And methinks

To-day I do not shame my ancestor;

I dare to sit here at his feet, and feel

He would not spurn his son. Thou dost not grieve

To lose a crown, my fairest?

Annab.

1156

no! no!

1157

I’m only proud of thee.

I’m only proud of thee. Thy fame’s my crown.

Jul.

Not fame but conscience is the enduring crown,

And wearing that impearled, why to lose fame

Or life were nothing.

Ann.

Where’s thy father, Julian?

Forgive me, I have pained thee.

Julian.

1160

No. The pang

1161

Is mastered. Where?

e is a prisoner

1162

Before the States

—I am a prisoner here—

. I am a prisoner here.

1163

These are my guards

—Be calm, sweetest!

. Be calmer, Sweetest.

Rend not

1164

This holy place with shrieks.

Annab.

1165

They seek thy life

1166

They’ll sentence thee! They’ll kill thee! No

, they shall not;

! they shall not,

1167

Unless they kill me first. What crime

? Oh Heaven!

—O God,

1168

To talk of crime and thee!--What falsest charge

1169

Dare they to bring?

Julian.

1170

Somewhat of yon sad night

1171

They know.

Annab.

1172

Where’s Theodore? The

age? The King?

Doth he accuse thee too?

Jul.

Poor gentle Cousin!

He is as innocent as thou.

Ann.

I’ll fetch him.

We’ll go together to the States. We’ll save thee.

We, feeble though we be, woman and boy,

We’ll save thee. Hold me not!

Julian.

1174

Where would’st thou go?

Annab.

1175

To the States.

Julian.

1176

And there?

Annab.

1177

I’ll tell the truth, the truth,

1178

The irresistible truth! Let go

,—a

. A

moment

1179

May cost thy life

—our lives—

,—our lives.

Nothing but truth,

1180

That’s all thy cause can need

! Let go!

. Let go.

Julian.

1181

And he,

1182

My father?

Annab.

1183

What’s a thousand such as he

1184

To thee, my husband! But he shall be safe

;

1185

He is thy father

;

I’ll say nought can harm him.

—

1186

He was ever kind to me

; I’ll pray for him!

! I’ll pray for him.

1187

Nay, an thou fear’st me, Julian, I’ll not speak

1188

One word

.—

;

I’ll only kneel before them all,

1189

Lift up my hands, and pray in my inmost heart,

1190

As I pray to God.

Julian.

1191

My loving wife, to

him,

Him

1192

Pray

to him only. Leave me not my dearest.

, to Him only. Leave me not, my dearest;

There is a peace around us in this pause,

1193

This interval of torture. I’m content

I’m content and strong to suffer. Be thou—

And strong to suffer. Be thou—

Enter D’Alba, Calvi, Leanti and Nobles

1194

Ha! returned

1195

Already! This is quick. But I’m prepared.

1196

The sentence

Annab.

1197

Tell it not! Ye are

its judges;

his Judges.

1198

Ye have the power of life and death

; your

. Your

words

1199

Are fate

—Oh! Speak not yet. Listen to me!

. Oh speak not yet! Listen to me.

D’Alba.

1200

Aye

, a long summer day.

; a long summer day!

What would’st thou?

Annab.

1201

Save him!

1202

Save him!

D’Alba.

1203

He shall not die.

Annab.

1204

Now

bless thee, D’Alba!

1205

Bless thee! He’s safe!

e’s free!

Julian.

1206

Once more I ask

1207

His doom, for that is mine. If ye have dared

1208

In mockery of justice, to arraign

1209

And sentence your great

uler, with less pause

1210

Than a petty thief

taken in the manner

—What’s

, what’s

1211

Our doom?

D’Alba.

1212

Sir, our great ruler (we

that love not

1213

Law’s tedious circumstance

may thank him) spared

1214

All trial by confession. He avowed

1215

Treason

& regicide,

and regicide;

and all that thou

1216

Had

’

st said

or might say, he avouched unheard

1217

For truth, then cried

;

as thou hast done, for

judgement.

judgment,

For death.

Julian.

1218

I can die

too.

Leanti.

1219

A milder doom

1220

Unites ye. We have spared the royal blood

D’Alba.

1221

Only the blood. Estates and

honors

honours

all

1222

Are forfeit to the

king. The Assembled States

King; the assembled states

1223

Banish ye

—The most holy church

; the most holy Church

declares ye

1224

Beneath her ban. This is your sentence, Sir.

1225

erald waits to read it in the streets

1226

Before ye

. And from out the city gates

, and from out the city gate

1227

To thrust ye

;

outlawed, excommunicate,

1228

Infamous amongst men. Ere noon to-morrow

1229

Ye must depart from Sicily; on pain

1230

Of death to ye, the outlaws, death to all that harbour ye,

Of death to ye the outlaws, death to all

1231

Death to whoe’er shall give

That harbour ye, death to whoe’er shall give

1232

Food, shelter,

comfort, so pass ye forth

comfort, speech. So pass ye forth

1233

In infamy!

Annab.

1234

Eternal infamy

1235

Rest on your heads, false

udges! Outlawed! Banished!

1236

Bereft of all state and title! Thou art still

1237

Best of the good, greatest

amongst

the great,

1238

My Julian! Must they die that give thee food

1239

And rest

and comfort? I shall comfort thee,

1240

thy true wife! I’ll never leave thee

, never!

. Never!

1241

We’ll walk together to the gate, my hand

1242

In thine, as lovers

—Let us forth.

. Let’s set forth.

We’ll go

1243

Together.

Julian.

1244

Aye

;

but not to-night. I’ll meet thee

1245

To-morrow

at the harbour.

Annab.

1246

, no,

! no!

no!

1247

I will not leave thee.

Julian.

1248

Cling not thus

! She trembles!

. She trembles.

1249

She cannot walk. Brave Sir, we have been comrades

;

1250

There is a pity in thine eye,

that

which

well

1251

Beseems a soldier. Take this weeping lady

1252

To King Alfonso

—

Tell the royal boy

1253

One, who was once his

kinsman,

Cousin

and his friend,

1254

Commends her to him. Go

To-morrow, dearest,

1255

We’ll meet again

—Now for this

. Now for the

sentence. Lords,

1256

I question not your power. I submit

1257

To all, even to this shame. Be quick! be quick!

Exeunt

End of Act 3rd

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

Act 4

ACT IV.

Scene 1

An Apartment in the

oyal Palace. D’Alba

Bertone. D’Alba.

1260

I’ve parted them at last. The livelong night

1261

The little King lay, like a page, before

1262

Her chamber door

;

and ever as he heard

1263

A struggling sigh within, he cried,

Alas!

alas!

1264

And echoed back her moan, and uttered words

1265

Of comfort. Happy boy

Bert.

1266

But he is gone

1267

Towards the gate

. Be sure, to seek

: be sure to meet

Prince Julian.

D’Alba.

1268

For that I care not, so that I secure

1269

The vision that once flitted from my grasp

And vanished like a rainbow.

Bert.

1270

Yet is Julian

1271

Still dangerous.

D’Alba.

1272

Why

after noon to-day

—

1273

And see the sun’s already high

! he dies,

!--he dies

1274

If he be found in Sicily. Take thou

1275

Two resolute comrades

to pursue his steps,

1276

Soon as the time be past. Did

’

st thou not hear

1277

The proclamation? Know’st thou where he bides

1278

And Melfi?

Bert.

1279

Good

my lord, ’tis said the Duke

1280

Is dead.

D’Alba.

1281

Dead!

Bert.

1282

Sure it is,

Certain ’tis

that yesternight

1283

He walked from out the

judgement hall,

Judgment Hall

like one

1284

Dreaming with eyes that saw not;

Dreaming, with eyes that saw not,

ears that heard

1285

No sound, staggering and tottering

, like old age,

like old age

1286

Or infancy

.—And

. And

when the kingly robe

1287

Was plucked from him, and he forced from the gate

1288

A deep wound in his side

, burst forth,

burst forth;

the blood

1289

Welled like a fountain.

D’Alba.

1290

And he died?

Bert.

1291

He fell

1292

Fainting

, and Julian, who had ~~treated~~tended him,

; and Julian, who had tended him

1293

Silently, with a spirit so absorbed

1294

His own shame seemed unfelt, fell on his neck

1295

Shrieking like maddening woman. There we left him,

1296

And there

, ’tis said,

’tis said

he hath outwatched the night.

D’Alba.

1297

There

on the ground?

Bert.

1298

So please you.

D’Alba.

1299

Thou hast known

1300

A softer couch, Prince Julian

Is the litter

1301

Prepared

,—and Julian’s groom?—

? And the old groom?

Bert.

1302

My lord, he waits

1303

Your pleasure.

D’Alba.

1304

Call him hither.

Exit Bertone.

1305

Blood welled out

1306

From a deep wound! Said old Leanti sooth?

1307

No matter

—Either way they’re guilty.

! Either way he’s guilty.

Re-

Enter Bertone,

enter Bertone

with Renzi.

Ha!

1308

Ha! a reverend knave!

A reverend knave.

Wast thou

rince Julian’s huntsman?

Renzi.

1309

An please you, Sir, I was.

D’Alba.

1310

Dost know the

princess?

Princess?—

1311

Doth she know thee?

Renzi.

1312

Right well, my lord.

Full well, my Lord. I tended

1313

Prince Julian’s favourite greyhound. It was strange

1314

How Lelia loved my lady,—the poor fool

1315

Hath pined for her this week past,—and my lady

1316

Loved Lelia. She would stroke her glossy head,

1317

And talk of Lelia’s beauty, Lelia’s speed,

1318

Till I was weary.

D’Alba.

1319

The better!

And the angel deemed

1320

This slave as faithful as her dog! The better.

1321

Dost thou love ducats, Renzi?

Flinging him a purse

Tossing him a purse.

1322

Can’st

Canst

thou grace

1323

A lie with tongue, and look, and action?

A lie with tongue and look and action?

Renzi.

1324

Aye.

D’Alba.

1325

Go to the Princess

. Say

; say

thy master sent thee

1326

To guide her to him

; or the young Alfonso;

, or the young Alfonso,—

1327

Use either name, or both. Spare not for tears,

1328

Or curses. Lead her to the litter

. See

; see

1329

That Constance follows not. Bertone’ll gain

1330

Admittance for thee—Go.

Exit Renzi.

1331

Bertone seek me

1332

A supple churchman

;—

Know’st thou any? One

1333

Not scrupulous

, one, who loves gold, and laughs,

; one who loves gold, and laughs

1334

At conscience. Bring him to me. I must hasten

1335

Silently home. Let not the

rincess guess

1336

That I have left the palace.

Bert.

1337

No, my

ord.

Exeunt severally.

Scene 2d

SCENE II

The Country

just without the gates of Messina

, a hilly back-ground.

. A hilly back Ground.

Melfi lying on the Stage.

Melfi, lying on the Stage,

Julian. Julian.

1338

He wakes!

e is not dead! I am not yet

1339

A parricide

! I dare not look on him,

. I dare not look on him;

1340

I dare not speak

—

Melfi.

1341

Water! my throat is scorched.

Exit Julian.

1342

My tongue cleaves to my mouth.

Water!

Water! Will none

Exit Julian.

1344

Go fetch me water? Am I here alone

1345

Here on the bloody ground, as on that night

—

1346

Am I there still? No! I remember now

1347

Yesterday I was

ing; to-day, I’m nothing;

1348

Cast down by my own son

! Stabbed in my fame!

; stabbed in my fame;

1349

Branded

and done to death

! An Outlaw

; an outlaw

where

1350

I ruled! He, whom I loved with such a pride,

1351

With such a fondness, hath done this

, and I

; and I,

1352

Have

I have

not strength to drag me to his presence

1353

That I might rain down curses on his head,

1354

Might blast him with a look

Enter Julian. Julian.

1355

Here’s water

! d

. D

rink!

Melfi.

1356

What voice is that? Why dost thou shroud thy face?

1357

Dost shame to shew thyself? Who art thou?

Julian.

1358

Drink.

1359

pr’ythee,

pray thee

drink.

Melfi.

Is’t poison?

Julian.

1360

’Tis the pure

1361

And limpid gushing of a natural spring

1362

Close by yon olive ground. A little child

1363

Who stood beside the fount,

filled for me

watching the bright

And many-coloured pebbles, as they seemed

To dance in the bubling water, filled for me

1364

Her beechen cup

with her small innocent hand,

1365

And bade our

lady bless the draught.

Lady bless the draught!

Oh drink!

1366

Have faith in such a blessing!

Melfi.

1367

Thou should’st bring

1368

Nothing but poison. Hence, accursed cup!

Dashing the cup to the ground

1369

I’ll perish in my thirst. I know thee, Sir.

Julian.

1370

Father!

Melfi.

1371

I have no

Son. I had once

son. I had one once

1372

A gallant gentleman

, but he... What,

; but he—What,

Sir,

1373

Did you

Didst thou

never hear of that Sicilian Prince,

1374

Who made the fabulous tale of Greece a truth,

1375

And slew his father?

The old Laius fell

He stabbed, and stabbed, and stabbed.

At once, unknowing and unknown; but this

New Œdipus, he stabbed and stabbed and stabbed,

1376

And the poor wretch cannot die.

Julian.

1377

I think my heart

1378

Is iron

that it breaks not.

Melfi.

1379

I should curse him—

1380

But

And

yet—Dost thou not know that I’m an outlaw

1381

Under the ban? They stand in danger, Sir,

1382

That talk to me.

Julian.

1383

I am an outlaw

too.

—

1384

Thy fate is mine

, our

. Our

sentence is alike.

Melfi.

1385

What! have they banished thee?

Julian.

1386

I should have gone,

1387

In very truth, I should have gone with thee

1388

Aye

to the end of the world.

Melfi.

1389

What

banish thee!

1390

Oh, foul ingratitude!

weak,

Weak

changeling boy!

Julian.

1391

He knows it not. Father, this banishment

1392

Came as a comfort to me, set me free

1393

From warring duties and fatiguing cares,

1394

And left me wholly thine. We shall be happy

;

1395

For she goes with us, who will prop

thy

steps,

1396

As once the

aid of Thebes, Antigone,

1397

In that old tale. Chuse thou whatever land

—

1398

All are alike to us

—but

. But

pardon me!

Say thou hast pardoned me!

Melfi.

1399

My virtuous son!

Julian.

1400

thanks to thee

, and heaven! He sinks! He faints!

and Heaven! He sinks; he’s faint;

1401

His lips wax pale

I’ll seek the spring once more

1402

’Tis thirst.

Melfi.

1403

What music’s that?

Julian.

1404

I hear none.

Melfi

1405

Hark!

Julian

1406

Thou art weak and dizzy.

Melfi

1407

Angels of the air,

1408

Cherub

and

Seraph

sometimes watch around

The dying, and the mortal sense, at pause

’Twixt life and death, doth drink in a faint echo

Of heavenly harpings?

Julian.

1409

I have heard so.

Melfi.

1410

Aye;

1411

But they were just men, Julian

;—they were holy;

! They were holy.

1412

They were not traitors.

Julian.

1413

Strive against these thoughts

—

1414

Thou wast a brave man,

father! Fight

Father!--fight

against them,

1415

As ’gainst the Paynims

thy old foes. He grows

1416

Paler and paler. Water from the spring

,—

;

1417

Or generous wine

. She will be here anon.

;—I saw a cottage near.

1418

Rest thee, dear

ather, till I come.

Exit Julian. Melfi.

1419

Again

1420

That music! It is mortal

. It

; it

draws nearer.

1421

But if men should pass, must I lie here

1422

Like a crushed adder? Here in the highway

1423

Trampled beneath their feet

?—

So! So! I’ll crawl

1424

To yonder bank

—Oh,

. Oh

that it were the deck

1425

Of some great Admiral, and I alone

1426

Boarding amidst a hundred swords! the breach

1427

Of some strong citadel, and I the first

1428

To mount in the cannon’s mouth. I was brave once.

To mount in the cannon’s mouth! I was brave once.

1429

for the common undistinguished death

1430

Of battle, pressed by horse’s heels, or crushed

1431

By falling towers! And thing but to lie

1432

Here like a leper

Enter Alfonso,

Calvi, & Valore

Valore, and Calvi

. Alfon.

1433

’Tis the spot where Julian—

1434

And yet I see him not

—I’ll pause awhile

. I’ll pause awhile;

1435

’Tis likely he’ll return. I’ll wait.

Calvi.

1441

My liege,

1442

You’re sad to day.

Alfonso.

1443

I have good cause to be so.

Valore.

1444

Nay, nay, cheer up.

Alfonso.

1445

Didst thou not tell me, Sir,

1446

That my poor Uncle’s banished, outlawed, laid

1447

Under the church’s ban?

Calvi.

1448

He would have slain

1449

His Sovereign.

Alfonso.

1450

I ne’er said it. Yesterday

1451

I found you at his feet. Oh, would to Heaven

1452

That crown were on his head, and I—What’s that?

Valore.

1453

The moaning wind.

Calvi.

1454

He was a traitor, Sire,

Alfonso.

1456

He was my kinsman still. And Julian! Julian!

1457

My Cousin Julian! he who saved my life,

1458

Whose only crime it was to be too good,

1459

Too great, too well beloved,—to banish him!

1460

To tear him from my arms!

Calvi.

1461

Sire, he confessed—

Alfonso.

1462

Ye should have questioned me. Sirs, I’m a boy,

1463

A powerless, friendless boy, whose name is used

1464

To cover foul oppression. If I live

1465

To grasp a sword—but ye will break my heart

1466

Before that hour. Whence come those groans? Seeing Melfi. My Uncle

1468

Stretched on the ground, and none to tend thee! Rest

1469

Thy head upon my arm. Where’s Julian? Sure

1470

I thought to find him with thee. Nay, be still;

1471

Strive not to move.

Melfi.

1472

I fain would kneel to thee

1473

For pardon.

Calvi

1474

Listen not, my liege. The

tates

1475

Sentenced the Duke of Melfi

. Thou

; thou

hast not

1476

The power to pardon. Leave him to his fate.

Valore.

1477

’Twere best your

ighness came with us.

Alfon.

1478

Avoid

1479

The place! Leave us, cold, courtly lords! Avoid

1480

My sight! Leave us, I say. Send instant succour

1481

Food, water, wine, and men with hearts, if courts

1482

May breed such. Leave us

Exeunt Calvi and Valore. Melfi.

1483

Gallant boy!

Alfon.

1484

Alas!

1485

I have no power.

Melfi.

1486

For all I need thou hast.

1487

Give me but six feet of Sicilian earth,

1488

And thy sweet pardon.

Alfon.

1489

Talk not thus. I’ll grow

1490

At once into a man, into a king,

1491

And they shall tremble, and turn pale with fear

1492

Who now have dared—

Enter Julian.

1493

Julian!

Julian.

1494

Here’s water. Ha!

1495

Alfonso! I thought

pity had been dead.

Pity had been dead.

1496

I craved a little wine, for the dear love

1497

heaven, for a poor dying man,

Heaven, for a poor dying man;

and all

1498

Turned from my prayer. Drink,

father!

Alfon.

1499

I have sent

1500

For succour.

Julian.

1501

Gentle heart!

Melfi.

1502

The time is past.

1503

Music again

Alfon.

1504

Aye; ’tis a shepherd’s pipe

1505

From yonder craggy mountain. How it swings

1506

Upon the wind

now pausing, now renewed,

1507

Regular as a bell

Melf.

1508

A passing bell.

Alfon.

1509

Cast off these heavy thoughts.

Melfi.

1510

Turn me.

Alfon.

1511

He bleed

1512

The blood wells out.

Melfi.

1513

It eases me.

Julian.

1514

He sinks!

1515

He dies!

—Off!--He’s my father!

Off! he’s my father.

Rest on me.

Melfi.

1516

Bless thee

Julian

1517

No!

Oh,

no! no! no! I cannot bear

1518

Thy blessing

! Twice to stab! and twice forgiven!

. Twice to stab, and twice forgiven—

1519

! curse me,

curse me

rather!

Melfi.

1520

Bless ye both!

Dies

Alfon.

1521

He’s dead

;

1522

And surely he died penitent. That thought

1523

Hath in it a deep comfort. The freed spirit

1524

Gushed out in a full tide of pardoning love.

1525

He blest us both, my Julian

—

;

even me

1526

As I had been his son. We’ll pray for him

1527

Together, and thy Annabel shall join

1528

Her purest orisons. I left her stretched

1529

In a deep slumber. All night long she watched

1530

And wept for him and thee; but now she sleeps.

1531

Shall I go fetch her? She, better than I,

1532

Would soothe thee. Dost thou hear? He writhes as though

1533

The struggling grief would choke him. Rouse thee

, Julian!

. Julian,

1534

Calm thee

! Thou frighten’st me!

. Thou frighten’st me.

Julian.

1535

Am I not calm?

1536

There is my sword

—

Go.

Alfon.

1537

I’ll not leave thee.

Julian.

1538

King!

1539

Dost thou not see we’ve killed him? Thou had’st cause

;

1540

But I, that was his

son—

Son.—

Home to thy

alace!

1541

Home!

Alfon.

1542

Let me stay beside thee

;

I’ll not speak,

1543

Nor look, nor move. Let me but sit

and drop

1544

Tear for tear with thee.

Julian.

1545

Go.

Alfon.

1546

ousin Julian—

Julian.

1547

Madden me not. I’m excommunicate,

1548

An exile, and an outlaw, but a man

1549

Grant me the human privilege to weep

1550

Alone o’er my dead father. King, I saved

1551

Thy life

, repay

. Repay

me now a

thousand fold.

thousand-fold,—

1552

Alfon.

1553

Yes, for a sweet Comforter.

Aye; for a sweet comforter.

Enter Paolo. Paolo.

1554

My liege,

1555

The

Lady Annabel.—

lady Annabel—

Julian.

1556

What

! Is

? is

she dead?

1557

Have I killed her?

Alfon.

1558

Speak, Paolo. In thy charge

1559

I left her.

Julian.

1560

Is she dead?

Paolo.

1561

No. Heaven forefend!

1562

But she hath left the

alace.

Julian.

1563

’Tis the curse

1564

Of blood that’s on my head

, on all I love!

; on all I love.

1565

She’s lost

Alfon.

1566

Did she go forth alone?

Paolo.

1567

My liege,

1568

Prince Julian’s aged

untsman, Renzi, came

1569

Sent, as he said, by thee, to bear her where

1570

Her

ord was sheltered.

Julian.

1571

Hoary traitor!

Paolo.

She

1572

She followed him, nothing fearing; and I too

Followed him, nothing fearing; and I too

1573

Had gone, but D’Alba’s servants closed the gates,

1574

And

, then,

then

my heart misgave me.

Julian.

1575

Where’s my sword?

1576

I’ll rescue her! I’ll save her!

Alfon.

1577

Hast thou traced

1578

Thy

honoured

lady?

Paolo.

1579

No; but

No, my liege. But

much I fear—

1580

Certain

a closed and guarded litter took

1581

The way to the western suburb.

Julian.

1582

There, where lies

1583

The palace of Count D’Alba

. Stained! defiled!

! Stained—defiled—

1584

has

hath

thee now, my lovely one! There’s still

1585

A way—Let me but reach thee! One

Asylum!

asylum—

1586

One bridal bed

! one resting place!--

—One resting place.

All griefs

1587

Are lost in this

! Oh!

. Oh

would I lay as thou,

my father!

1588

Leave him not in the highway,

My Father! Leave him not in the high-way

1589

For dogs to mangle

He was once a

rince.

—

1590

Farewell!

Alfon.

1591

Let me go with thee.

Julian.

1592

No. This deed

1593

Is mine.

Exit Julian. Alfon.

1594

Paolo

stay by the corse. I’ll after

1595

He shall not on this desperate quest alone.

Paolo.

1596

Rather, my liege, seek D’Alba

. As

:—

I deem

1597

He still is at thy

palace. So may the sweet lady

Palace. Watch him well.

Stay by him closely. So may the sweet lady

1598

Be rescued, and Prince Julian saved.

Alf.

Thou’rt right.

Exeunt.

Scene

Scene III

A Gothic Apartment. A recess in which is a niche window closed, but so constructed, as light may be thrown in. Near the recess, a small arched door, thro’ which is seen an inner chamber.—

Annabel is brought in by Servants, and follow’d by Count D’Alba.

D’Alba, Annabel, Guards.

D’Alba.

1599

Leave her with me. Guard well the gate; and watch

1600

That none approach the tower.

Exeunt Servants.

Exeunt Guards.

1601

Fair Annabel!

Annab.

1602

Who is it calls? Where am I? Who art thou?

1603

Why am I here? Now

heaven preserve me

D’Alba!

1604

Where’s Julian? Where’s

rince Julian? Where’s my husband?

1605

Renzi, who lured me from the palace, swore

1606

It was to meet my husband.

D’Alba.

1607

Many an oath

1608

First sworn in falsehood

turns to truth. He’s here.

1609

Calm thee, sweet lady.

Annab.

1610

Where? I see him not.

1611

Julian!

D’Alba.

1612

Another husband.

Annab.

1613

Then he’s dead!

1614

He’s dead!

D’Alba.

1615

He lives.

Annab.

1616

Heard I aright? Again!

1617

There is a deafening murmur in mine ears,

1618

Like the moaning sound that dwells in the

sea-shell;—

sea shell,

1619

So that I hear nought plainly. Say’t again.

D’Alba.

1620

He lives

Annab.

1621

Now, thanks to

heaven! Take me to him!

Heaven! Take me to him.

1622

Where am I?

D’Alba.

1623

In an old

and lonely tower

1624

At the end of my poor orchard.

Annab.

1625

Take me home.

D’Alba.

1626

Thou hast no home.

Annab.

1627

No home! His arms! his heart!

1628

Take me to him

D’Alba.

1629

Sweet Annabel, be still.

1630

Conquer this woman’s vain impatiency,

1631

And listen

.—Why,

. Why

she trembles as I were

1632

Some bravo

! Oh,

. Oh

that man’s free heart should bow

1633

To a fair cowardice! Listen. Thou know’st

1634

The sentence of the Melfi?

Annab.

1635

Aye, the unjust

1636

And wicked doom

that ranked the innocent

1637

With the guilty. But I murmur not. I love

1638

To suffer with him.

D’Alba.

1639

He is banished

;

outlawed,

1640

Cut off from every human tie

;—

Annab.

1641

Not all.

1642

I am his wife.

D’Alba.

1643

Under the

church’s ban!

Church’s ban.

1644

I tell thee, Annabel, that learned

riest,

1645

The sage Anselmo, deems thou art released

1646

From thy unhappy vows

;

and will

to-night

to night

—

Annab.

1647

Stop

I was wedded in the light of day

1648

In the great church at Naples. Blessed day!

1649

I am his wife

;

bound to him ever more

1650

In sickness, penury, disgrace. Count D’Alba,

1651

Thou dost misprize the world, but thou must know

1652

That woman’s heart is faithful, and clings closest

1653

In misery.

D’Alba.

1654

If the

hurch proclaim thee free

—

Annab.

1655

Sir, I will not be free

. And if I were,

; and if I were

1656

I’d give myself to Julian o’er again

—

1657

Only to Julian

Trifle thus no longer.

1658

Lead me to him. Release me.

D’Alba.

1659

Now

by heaven,

1660

I’ll bend this glorious constancy. I’ve known thee

1661

Even from a little child, and I have seen

1662

Thy stubborn spirit broken:;

That stubborn spirit broken:

not by fear

1663

That thou can’st quell

, nor interest, nor ambition,

; nor interest; nor ambition;

1664

But love! love! love! I tell thee, Annabel,

1665

One, whom thou lo’st, stands in danger. Wed me,

One whom thou lov’st, stands in my danger. Wed me

1666

This very night

—I will procure a priest

1667

And dispensations, there shall nothing lack

1668

Of nuptial form

—Wed me, or look

to hear

1669

Of bloody justice.

Annab.

1670

My poor father, Melfi!

D’Alba.

1671

The Regent

He is dead.

Annab.

1672

Heaven

God

hath been merciful.

D’Alba.

1673

Is there no other name? no dearer?

Annab.

1674

Ha!

D’Alba.

1675

Had

’

st thou such tender love for this

high

proud

father,

1676

Who little recked of thee, or thy fair looks

;

—

1677

Is all beside forgotten?

Annab.

1678

Speak

D’Alba.

1679

Why, Julian!

1680

Julian, I say!

Annab.

1681

He is beyond thy power.

1682

Thanks, thanks, great

heav’n

God

! He’s ruined, exiled, stripped

1683

Of name, and land, and titles. He’s as dead.

1684

Thou hast no power to harm him. He can fall

1685

No deeper. Earth hath not a lowlier state

1686

Than princely Julian fills.

D’Alba.

1687

The grave! The grave

Doth not the grave

1688

Lies deeper!

Lie deeper?

Annab.

1689

What? But thou hast not the power!

1690

Hast thou? Thou

can’st not! Oh,

canst not. Oh

be pitiful!

1691

Speak

.—

I conjure thee, speak!

D’Alba.

1692

Didst thou not hear

1693

That he was exiled, outlawed, banished far

1694

From the Sicilian Isles, on pain of death

1695

If, after noon to-day, he e’er were seen

1696

In Sicily? The allotted bark awaits;

1697

The hour is past

;

and he is here.

Annab.

1698

Now

heaven

1699

Have mercy on us! D’Alba, at thy feet

1700

Upon my bended knees—Oh pity! pity!

1701

Pity and pardon! I’ll not rise. I cannot.

1702

I cannot stand more than a creeping worm

1703

Whilst Julian’s in thy danger. Pardon him!

1704

Thou wast not cruel once. I’ve seen thee turn

1705

Thy step from off the path

to spare an insect;

1706

I’ve marked thee shudder, when my falcon struck

1707

A panting bird

;

—though thou hast tried to sneer

1708

At thy own sympathy. D’Alba, thy heart

1709

Is kinder than thou knowest

.—

Save him, D’Alba!

1710

Save him!

D’Alba.

1711

Be mine.

Annab.

1712

Am I not his?

D’Alba.

1713

Be mine

;

1714

And he shall live to the whole age of man

1715

Unharmed.

Annab.

1716

I’m his.—Oh

, spare him! only

—Oh spare him!--Only

his.

D’Alba.

1717

Then

it is thou

that dost enforce the law

1718

On Julian

—Thou

; thou

, his loving wife, that guid’st

1719

The

fficer to seize him

where he lies

1720

Upon his father’s corse

.—Thou,

; thou

that dost lead

1721

Thy husband to the scaffold

—Thou, his wife!

;—thou his wife,

1722

His loving wife! Thou yet may’st rescue him.

Annab.

1723

Now,

heav’n

God

forgive thee, man! Thou torturest me

1724

Worse than a thousand racks. But thou art not

1725

So devilish, D’Alba

Thou hast talked of love

;

—

1726

Would’st see me die here at thy feet? Have mercy!

D’Alba.

1727

Mercy! Aye, such as thou hast shewn to me

1728

Through weeks

and months

and years. I was born strong

1729

In scorn, the wise man’s passion. I had lived

1730

Aloof from the juggling world, and with a

~~string~~ shrug

string

1731

Watched the poor puppets ape their several parts

;

1732

Fool, knave, or madman; till thy fatal charms,

1733

Beautiful mischief, made me knave and fool

1734

And madman; brought

Revenge, and Love, and Hate

revenge and love and hate

1735

Into my soul. I love

and hate thee, lady,

1736

And doubly hate myself for loving thee.

1737

But, by this teeming earth, this

glorious heaven,

starry Heaven,

1738

And by thyself

the fairest

, stubbornst thing,

stubbornest thing

1739

The fair stars shine upon, I swear to-night

—

1740

Thou shalt be mine. If willingly, I’ll save

1741

Prince Julian

. But

;—but

still mine. Speak. Shall he live?

1742

Can

’

st thou not speak? Wilt thou not save him?

Annab.

1743

No.

D’Alba.

1744

Did she die with the word!

Did’st

Dost

hear me, lady?

1745

I asked thee

would

’

st thou save thy husband?

Annab.

1746

No.

Not so! not so!

Not so! Not so!

D’Alba.

1747

’Tis well

Exit Count D’Alba.

Exit D’Alba.

Annab.

1748

Stay! Stay! He’s gone.

1749

Count D’Alba!

ave him! Save him! D’Alba’s gone

1750

And I have

sentenc’d him!

sentenced him.

After a pause

1751

He would have chosen so

1752

Would rather have died a thousand deaths

, than to

than so

1753

Have lived

. Oh,

! Oh

who will succour me, shut up

1754

In this lone tower! none but those horrid guards,

1755

(There’s treachery in their face) know where the poor

And yonder hoary traitor, know where the poor,

1756

Poor Annabel is hidden

. No

; no

man cares

1757

How she may perish

.—Only one,

—only one—

and he—

1758

Preserve my wits! I’ll count my beads

. It will calm me—

; ’twill calm me:

1759

What

if I hang my rosary from the casement?

1760

There is a brightness in the gorgeous

Jewels

jewel

1761

To catch men’s eyes, and

haply, some may pass

1762

That are not

merciless

pitiless

. This window’s closed;

1763

But in yon

hamber—Ah, ’tis open! There

1764

I’ll hang the holy gem, a guiding star,

1765

A visible prayer to man and

god. Oh,

God. Oh

save me

1766

From sin and shame! Save him! I’ll hang it there.

Exit. End of the Fourth Act

Act 5th

ACT V.

Scene 1st

SCENE.

Same as the last.—The small door nearly closed.—A light from the setting sun thro’ the window

The same as the last; the arched Door nearly closed.

Annabel (alone)

Annabel.

1767

I cannot rest

, I wander to & fro’

. I wander to and fro

1768

Within my dreary prison, as to seek

1769

For comfort

and find none. Each hour hath killed

1770

A hope that seemed the last. The shadows point

1771

Upward

—The Sun is sinking. Guard me, Heaven,

. The sun is sinking. Guard me, heaven,

1772

Thro’

Through

this dread night!

Gun heard.

A gun is heard without.

1773

What evil

sounds?

sound—

All sounds

1774

Are evil here

!--

Is there some murder doing?

1775

Or wantonly

in sport

—

Enter Julian

Thro’ the small door.

through the arched Door.

Julian.

1776

Annabel!

Anna.

1777

Julian!

Julian.

1778

My wife!

rt thou still mine?

Anna.

1779

Thine own

Julian.

1780

She smiles!

1781

She clings to me! Her eyes are fixed on

mine

1782

With the old love, the old divinest look

1783

Of innocence! It is yet time. She’s pure

1784

She’s undefiled

.—Speak to me, Annabel!

!--Speak to me, Annabel.

1785

Tremble not so

Anna.

1786

’Tis joy

.—Oh,

. Oh

I have been

1787

So wretched! And to see thee when I thought

1788

We ne’er should meet again

!--How did’st

! How didst

thou find me?

Julian.

1789

The

osary! the blessed rosary

1790

Shone in the

Sunbeam like a beacon fire;

sun-beam, like a beacon fire,

1791

A guiding star

.—Thrice holy was the

! Thrice holy was its

light

1792

That led me here to save—

Anna.

1793

blessings on thee!

1794

How? Where? what way?

the iron door is barred.

The iron door is barred!

1795

Where

did’st thou enter, Julian?

didst thou enter Julian!

Julian.

1796

Thro’ the Casement

Through the casement

1797

Of yonder chamber.

Anna.

1798

What

, that grim ascent?

? that grim ascent!

1799

That

aweful depth? Did’st

awful depth! Didst

thou dare this for me?

1800

And must I

—? But

?—But

I fear not. I’ll go with thee.

1801

I’m safe of foot, and light

—

I’ll go.

Julian.

1802

Thou can

’

st not.

Anna.

1803

Then go thyself, or he will find thee here,

1804

, and his ruffian band—

and his ruffian band.

Let us part now.

1805

Kiss me again

!--

Fly, fly from Sicily!

—

1806

That fearful man

! But he is all one lie,

—but he is all one lie—

1807

Told me thy life was forfeited.

Julian.

1808

He told thee

1809

A truth.

Anna.

1810

Oh! fly, fly, fly!

Oh fly! fly! fly;

Julian.

1811

My Annabel

1812

The bloodhounds that he laid upon the scent

1813

Have tracked me hither

.—Did’st

. Didst

thou hear a gun?

1814

For once the ball passed harmless.

Anna.

1815

Art thou hurt?

1816

Art sure thou art not?

Julian.

1817

Yes

, but

. But

they who aimed

1818

That death

are on the watch

—

Their quarry’s lodged.

1819

We can escape them—one way—only

one way.

one!

Anna.

1820

How? What way?

Julian.

1821

Ask not.

Anna.

1822

Whither?

Julian.

1823

To—

my father.

Anna.

1824

Then he’s alive

!--Oh,

—Oh

happiness! They told me

1825

That he was dead

.—

Why do we loiter here?

1826

Let’s join him now.

Julian.

1827

Not yet.

Anna.

1828

Now

now! Thou know’st not

1829

How horribly these walls do picture to me

1830

The several agonies whereof my soul

1831

Hath drunk

to-day.—I

to day. I

have been tempted, Julian,

1832

By one—a fiend!

—Tempted ’till

tempted till

I almost thought

1833

Heaven had forsaken me.—But thou art here,

God had forsaken me. But thou art here

1834

To save me, and my pulse beats high again

1835

With love

and

hope. I am light-hearted now,

1836

And could laugh

like a child—only these walls

1837

Do crowd around me with a visible weight

1838

Of a palpable

pressure,

A palpable pressure;

giving back the forms

1839

Of wildest thoughts,

Of wildest thoughts

that wandered through my brain

1840

Bright chattering madness, and sedate despair,

Bright chattering Madness, and sedate Despair,

1841

And

Note: Two words in this line and the next are completely illegible under the blot in the manuscript photofacsimile.

great unreal

And fear the Great Unreal!

—Take me hence!

1842

Take

Note: From the context of the lines and the 1823 text, the two words hidden by the blot damage are almost certainly “me away."

Take me away

with thee!

Julian.

1843

Not

Note: The large blot on the manuscript image most likely covers the words “yet, not” as given in the 1823 publication. A descender that would match the letter “y” is just visible.

yet,

Not yet, not yet.

1844

Thou sweetest wretch! I cannot

—Dotard! Fool!

1845

I must

—not yet, not yet.

. Not yet! not yet!

—Talk to me, Annabel;

1846

This is the hour when thou wast wont to make

1847

Earth, Heaven with lovely words; the sunset hour

Earth Heaven with lovely words; the sun-set hour,

1848

That woke thy spirit into joy

.—

Once more

1849

Talk to me, Annabel

Anna.

1850

Aye, all day long

1851

When we are free. Thy voice is

choaked,

choked;

thy looks

1852

Are not on me; thy hand doth catch

and twitch

1853

And grasp mine painfully

—that gentle hand!

Julian.

1854

Oh! Heaven! Oh Heaven? That right hand.—Kiss it not!

O God! O God! that right hand!--kiss it not!

1855

Take thy lips from it!

Anna.

1856

Can

’

st thou save me, Julian?

1857

Thou always dost speak truth

.—Can’st save thyself?

Note: The first three letters are visible as “thy,” but the rest is obscured under the blot. We supply “thyself?” from comparison with the 1823 edition.

. Canst save thyself?

1858

Shall we go hence together?

Julian.

1859

Aye—one fate,

Aye, one fate—

1860

One home

Anna.

1861

Why that is bliss

!--We shall be free

. We shall be poor

—

1862

Shall we not, Julian? I shall have a joy

1863

I never looked for

;

I shall work for thee,

1864

Shall tend thee, be thy

page, thy all!

Page, thy ’Squire, thy all,—

1865

Shall I not, Julian

Julian.

1866

Annabel, look forth

1867

Upon this glorious world! Look once again

1868

On our fair Sicily, lit by that sun

1869

Whose level beams do cast a golden shine

1870

On sea, and shore, and city, on the pride

1871

Of bowery groves

, on Etna’s smouldering top!

; on Etna’s smouldering top;—

1872

bright and glorious world!

nd thou of all

1873

Created things most glorious, tricked in light

1874

As the stars that live in Heaven!

Anna.

1875

Why dost thou gaze

1876

So sadly on me

Julian.

1877

The bright stars

how oft

1878

They fall, or

seem to fall!--The Sun—Look, look,

seem to fall! The Sun—look! look!

1879

He sinks, he sets in glory.

—Blessed orb

Blessed orb,

1880

Like thee

,—like thee. Dost

—like thee—Dost

thou remember once

1881

sat by the Sea-shore,

sate by the sea shore

when all the Heaven

1882

And all the

cean seemed one glow of fire

?—

Red, purple, saffron, melted into one

Intense and ardent flame, the doubtful line

Where sea and sky should meet was lost in that

1883

Continuous brightness; there we sate and talked

There we sate, and talked,

Of the mysterious union that blessed orb

Wrought between earth and heaven, of life and death—

1884

High mysteries!--and thou didst wish thyself

And thou didst wish thyself

1885

A spirit sailing in that flood of light

1886

Straight to the Eternal Gates, did

’

t pray to pass

1887

Away in such a glory

.—Annabel,

. Annabel!

1888

Look out upon the burning sky, the

Sea

sea

1889

One lucid ruby—

’Tis

’tis

the very hour!

1890

Thou’lt be a Seraph at the

fount of light before—

Fount of Light

Before—

Anna.

1891

What

must I die? And wilt thou kill me?

1892

Can

’

st thou? Thou cam’st to save—

Julian.

1893

To save thy

honor.

honour!

1894

I shall die with thee.

Anna.

1895

Oh, no! no!

Live! Live!

live! live!

1896

If I must die—Oh

it is sweet to live,

1897

To breathe, to move, to feel the throbbing blood

1898

Beat in the veins

,—

to look on such an earth

1899

On such a Heaven

,—

to look on thee! Young life

1900

Is very dear

Julian.

1901

Would’st live for D’Alba?

Anna.

1902

1903

I had forgot

.—I’ll die.—Quick! quick!

. I’ll die. Quick! Quick!

Julian.

1904

One kiss!

1905

Angel, dost thou forgive me?

Anna.

1906

Yes.

Julian.

1907

My sword

—

1908

I cannot draw it.

Anna.

1909

Now

!--I’m ready!

! I’m ready.

Enter Bertone and 2 others armed.

Enter Bertone, and two Murderers.

Bert.

1910

Seize him!

1911

Yield thee, Prince Julian

!--Yield thee! Seize the lady!

! Yield thee! Seize the lady.

Julian.

1912

fatal, fond delay

!--Dare

! Dare

not come near us

1913

Stand off! I’ll guard thee, sweet

. But

, but

when I fall

1914

Let him not triumph.

Bertone.

1915

Yield thee!

1916

Strike him down

! Now!

The two men have now advanced close to Julian, and one of them strikes at him with his Sword. Annabel rushes before Julian, receives the wound aimed at him, & falls dead at his feet.

Jul.

1917

Thou canst die then, my fairest.

The two murderers have now advanced close to Julian.

Bertone.

1918

Now!

One of the murderers strikes at Julian with his sword; Annabel rushes before him, receives the wound aimed at him, and falls at his feet.

Anna.

(before she is wounded).

1919

For thee!

Then after.

1920

For thee. ’Tis sweet!

dies.

Anna.

Rushing forward.

after she is wounded

Dies.

Julian.

1923

Fiend

! hast

, hast

thou slain her? Die! die! die!

Kills him.

1924

Come on. fights and kills him.

Bertone.

1925

Call instant help

! Hasten the Count!

Exit the other bravo

Exit the other murderer.

Julian & Bertone fight,

and

Julian kills him

Julian.

1926

Wife

wife

1927

My murdered

Wife

wife

! Doth she not breathe? I thought—

1928

My sight is dim—Oh

, ho!

no!

she’s pale, she’s cold,

she’s pale! she’s cold!

1929

She’s still!--If she were living

she would speak

1930

To comfort me.

—She’s mute, she’s stiff, she’s dead!

She’s mute! she’s stiff! she’s—dead!

1931

Why do I shiver at the word

? I

, that am

1932

Death’s factor

? Peopler of unhallowed graves?

, peopler of unhallowed graves,

1933

Slayer of all my race

? Not

! not

thee! not thee!

1934

Heaven, in its

God, in his

mercy, guided the keen sword

1935

To thy white bosom.—I could not.

—Lie there!

Lie there.

1936

I’ll shroud thee in my mantle.—The rude earth

I’ll shroud thee in my mantle.

covering her with it.

1937

The rude earth

1938

Will veil thy beauty next.

—One kiss! She died

One kiss!--She died

1939

To save me!--One kiss, Annabel!

To save me!--One kiss, Annabel! I slew

1940

But the fiend—the cause—

The slave that killed thee,—but the fiend—the cause—

1941

Is he not coming?—I will chain in life

1942

Till I’ve avenged thee

!--

;

I could slay an army

1943

Now, in my strong despair

.—But that were mercy.—

. But that were mercy.

1944

He must wear daggers in his heart

—

He loved her;

—

1945

I’ll feed his hopes, and then—Aye

, ha, ha, ha!

—ha! ha! ha!

1946

That will be a revenge to make the fiends

1947

Laugh—

ha, ha, ha!--

ha! ha! ha!

I’ll wrap me in this cloak

taking one belonging to the dead bravo.

1948

And in the twilight—So!

—

He will not know

1949

My voice—

frightens me!--I have not hidden

1950

Thee quite, my Annabel

—

There is one tress

1951

Floating in springy grace

—as if—she’s dead!

1952

She’s dead

!--

I must not gaze, for then my heart

1953

Will break before

it’s

its

time.

—He comes!--

He comes.

The stairs

1954

Groan at his pressure.

Enter D’Alba, speaking to an Attendant.

Enter D’Alba.

D’Alba.

entering to an Attendant

1955

Stop, and watch the gate.

Back, and watch the gate!--

1956

All’s tranquil. Where’s the traitor?

Julian.

1957

Dead

D’Alba.

1958

Who slew him?

Julian.

1959

D’Alba.

1960

And the

Lady

lady,

—where is she?

Julian.

1961

At rest.

D’Alba.

1962

Fair

gentleness

Gentleness

! After this perilous storm

1963

She needs must lack repose.

—

I’ll wait her here.

1964

Friend

thou hast done good service to the state

1965

And me

—We’re

; we’re

not ungrateful

—

Julian’s sword

1966

Fails him not often

;

and the slave who fled

1967

Proclaimed him Victor.

Julian.

1968

He slew two.

D’Alba.

1969

And thou

1970

Slew’st him? Aye

there he lies in the ermined cloak

1971

Of royalty, his haughty shroud.

Of royalty, his haughty shroud! Six ells

1972

Of rude uncostly linen serves to wrap

1973

Your common corse; but this man was born swathed

1974

In regal purple; lived so; and so died.

1975

So be he buried. Let not mine enemy

Let not mine enemy

1976

Call me ungenerous

.—

Roll him in his ermine

1977

And dig a hole without the city gate

1978

For him and the

great Regent.—Quick! I’ll have

proud Regent. Quick! I’d have

1979

The funeral speedy

.—Ah,

. Ah!

the slaughtering sword

1980

Lies by him, brown with clotted gore.

—Hence! Hence!

Hence! hence!

1981

And drag the

Carrion with thee!

carrion with thee.

Julian.

1982

Wilt thou not

1983

Look on the

Corse

corse

D’Alba.

1984

I cannot wait her waking.

1985

I must go feast my eyes on her fair looks—

1986

Divinest Annabel!

—my widowed bride!

My widowed bride!--

1987

Where is she?

Julian.

uncovering the body

1988

There

Now gaze thyself to Hell!

1989

Gloat with hot love upon that beauteous dust!

—

1990

She’s safe! She’s dead!

D’Alba.

1991

Julian!

Julian.

1992

But touch her not

1993

She’s mine.

D’Alba.

1994

perfectest and loveliest thing!

1995

Eternal curses rest upon his head

1996

Who murdered thee!

Julian.

1997

Off! off!

ollute her not!

1998

She’s white!

she’s pure!--Curses! Pour curse for curse

She’s pure!--Curses! Now curse for curse

1999

On the foul murderer

, on

! On

him who turned

2000

The sweet soul from her home, who slew her father,

2001

Hunted her husband as a beast of prey,

2002

Pursued, imprisoned, lusted, left no gate

2003

Open

save that to Heaven

—Off! gaze not on her!

2004

Thy look is profanation!

Throwing himself on the body.

Enter Alfonso, Leanti,

Valore & Guards.

Valore, &c.

Alfon.

Entering.

2006

Now, Leanti,

Here, Leanti!

2007

This way!

—Oh,

sight of horror! Julian! Julian!

Valore.

2008

The Princess dead!

—Why,

Why

D’Alba—

Leanti.

2009

Seize him

guards

;

2010

Lead him before the States

.—

This bloody scene

2011

Calls for deep vengeance

D’Alba.

2012

If I were not weary

2013

a world that sweats under a load of fools

—

2014

Old creaking vanes

that turn as the wind changes

—

2015

Lords, I’d defy ye!

I’d live on for ever!

2016

And I defy ye now

.—

For she is gone—

2017

The glorious vision!--

nd the Patriarch’s years

2018

Were valueless

.—

Do with me as ye will;

—

2019

Ye cannot call back her.

Leanti.

2020

Off with him!

Exit D’Alba guarded. Alfon.

2021

Julian!

Wilt thou not speak?

Julian.

2022

I have been thanking

eaven

2023

That she is dead.

Valore.

2024

His wits are gone.

Alfon.

2025

My Julian

2026

Look on me

.—

Dost thou know me? I’m thy Cousin,

2027

Thy comforter

Julian.

2028

She was my

omforter!

2029

And now—

but I do know thee, thou’rt the King,

But I do know thee; thou’rt the King;

2030

The pretty boy I loved

.—She loved thee too.—

—She loved thee too!

2031

I’m glad thou’rt come to close my eyes.

—Draw nearer,

Draw nearer

2032

That I may see thy face

.—

Where art thou?

Alfon.

2033

Here!

Julian.

2034

Poor child

he weeps! Send for the

honored

honoured

dead

2035

Beside the city gate

—he pardoned me!

2036

Bury us in one grave

—all in one grave!

2037

I did not kill her

—

Strew her with white flowers,

2038

For she was innocent

Leanti.

2039

Cheer thee! Take hope!

Valore.

2040

Raise up his head

Alfon.

2041

My Julian!

Julian.

2042

He forgave me,

—

2043

Thou know’st he did.—White flowers

—nothing but white.

! Nothing but white!

Dies.

Leanti.

2044

He is

He’s

gone!

Alfon.

2045

And I am left in the wide world

2046

Alone

.—

My Julian!

End of the Play.

THE END.

Version pub_1854: Digitized reproduction of the edition produced in the Dramatic Works of 1854.

Act 1:

Scene 1:

An Elegant apartment in the royal palace. The windows opening on a Balcony, adorned with flowers.

An Apartment in the Royal Palace.

Julian sleeping on a couch—Annabel

An Apartment in the Royal Palace. Julian sleeping on a Couch. Annabel.

Annab.

;

still he sleeps

—

’Twas but the myrtle bud

Tapping against the casement, as the wind

Stirred in the leafy branches. Well he loved

That pleasant bird-like sound, which, as a voice

Summoned

Summon’d

us forth into the fresher air

Of eve, or early morn. Ah! when again—

And yet his sleep is hopeful. For seven nights

He had not tasted slumber. Who comes here?

Enter Alfonso

, (as Theodore)

as Theodore

The gentle page! Alas! To wake him now!

Hush, Theodore! Tread softly—softlier, boy!

Alfon-

Doth he still sleep?

Annab.

Speak lower.

Alfon

Doth he sleep?

Annab

He sleeps. He hath not

mov’d

moved

in all the hours

That thou hast been away.

Alfon.

Then we may hope,

Dear lady, we may hope!

Annab.

Alas! Alas!

See how he lies, scarce breathing. Whilst I hung

Over his couch

I should have thought him dead,

but for his short and frequent sighs.

Alfon

Ah me!

Not even in slumber can he lose the sense

Of that deep

misery. And

misery; and

I—he wakes!

Dost thou not see the quivering mantle heave

With sudden motion?

Annab.

Thou hast wakened him.

Thy clamorous grief hath roused him. Hence!

egone!

Alfon.

And yet his eyes are closed. He sleeps.

He did but move his hand.

Annab.

How changed he is!

How pale!

ow wasted! Can one little week

Of pain and sickness so have faded thee,

My princely Julian! But eight days ago

There lived not in this gladsome Sicily

So glad a spirit. Voice, and step, and eye,

All were one happiness

;

till that dread hour,

When

drest in sparkling smiles, radiant and glowing,

With tender thoughts, he flew to meet the King

And his great father. He went forth alone

;

Frenzy and grief came back with him.

~~Annab.~~

Alf.

And I,

Another grief.

Annab.

Thou wast a comforter.

All stranger as thou art, hast thou not shared

My watch as carefully, as faithfully,

As I had been thy sister?

Aye, and he

Alf.

Ann.

Alfon.

I never heard before

That ’twas to meet the

ing

that

yon

fatal night

—

Knowingly, purposely

—

How could he guess

That they should meet? What moved him to that thought?

Annab.

Stranger,

altho’

although

thou be, thou

can’st

canst

but know

Prince Julian’s father is the regent here,

And rules for his young kinsman

, King Alfonso.

King Alfonso!

Alfon. Annab.

Where

Wherefore

pity him?

Alfon.

I know not

;

—

but I am an

rphan too

I interrupt thee,

ady.

Annab.

Yet, in truth,

A gentle pity lingers round the name

Of King Alfonso

orphaned, as thou say

’

st,

And drooping into sickness

when he lost

His father

—E

, e

ver since, the mournful boy

Hath dwelt in the Villa d’Oro.

Alf.

Hast thou seen him?

Annab.

The King? No— I’m of Naples. When Prince Julian

First brought me here

a bride, his royal cousin

Was fixed beside his father’s dying bed.

I never saw him

yet I know him well

;

For I have sate

and

listened

listen’d,

hour by hour,

To hear my husband speak of the fair

prince

Prince,

And his excelling virtues.

Alf.

Did he?

Ah!

—Ah!--

But ’twas his wont, talking of those he loved,

To gild them with the rich, and

burnished

burnish’d

glow

Of his own brightness, as the evening sun

Decks all the clouds in glory.

Annab.

Very dear

Was that young boy to Julian

—’twas

. ’Twas

a friendship

Fonder than common, blended with a kind

Protecting tenderness; such as brother

Mightly

Might fitly

shew unto the younger born.

Alfon.

he hath proved it.

Annab.

Thou dost know them both?

Alfon.

I do. Say on, dear

ady.

Annab.

Three weeks since

The Duke of Melfi went to bring his ward

Here to Messina

—

Alfon.

To be crowned. They came not

But wherefore went Prince Julian forth to meet them?

Annab.

Father nor cousin came

, nor Messenger

; nor messenger,

From Regent or from King; and Julian chafed

And fretted at delay. At length, a peasant

Brought tidings that the royal two

that morn

Left Villa d’Oro. Glowing from the

chace,

chase

Prince Julian stood, the bridle in his hand,

New lighted, soothing now his prancing steed.

105

And instant sprang again into his seat,

110

Just glanced back at me, with his

gladsome

dancing

eyes,

111

And such a smile of joy, and such a wave

112

Of his plumed bonnet

—

His return thou know’st.

Alfon.

113

I was

its

his

wretched partner.

Annab.

114

He on foot,

115

Thou on the

o’er travell’d horse;

o’er-travelled horse,

slow, yet all stained

116

With sweat, and panting, as if

fresh

escaped

117

From hot pursuit; and how he called for wine

118

For his poor Theodore, his faithful page

;

119

Then sate him down

and shook with the cold fit

120

Of anguish fever, till the strong couch rocked

121

Like a child’s cradle. There he sate and

sighed,

sigh’d;

122

And then the frenzy came. Theodore!

Alfon.

123

Lady!

Annab.

124

He utters nought but madness

;

;—

yet sometimes,

125

Athwart his ravings, I have thought—

have feared—

126

Theodore, thou must know the cause

Alfon.

127

Too well.

Annab.

128

Oh, tell me

—

Alfon.

129

Hush!

e wakes

Alfonso retires behind the couch, out of Julian’s sight.

Annab.

Going to Julian, whilst Alfonso keeps behind the couch, out of his sight

Julian

131

Sure I have slept a long, long while! Where am I?

132

How came I hither? Whose kind hand is this?

133

My Annabel!

Annab.

134

Oh, what a happiness

135

To see thee

gently

wake from gentle sleep!

136

Art thou not better? Shall I raise thee up?

Julian

137

Aye, dearest. Have I

then been ill? I’m weak,

138

I trouble thee, my sweet one.

Annab.

139

’Tis a joy

140

To minister unto thee.

Julian

141

Wipe my brow

142

And part these locks, that the fresh air may cool

143

My forehead

—Feel,

; feel;

it burns.

Annab.

144

Alas! how wild

145

This long neglect hath made thy glossy curls

146

How tangled!

Julian

147

I am faint. Pray

lay me down.

148

Surely the day is stifling

Annab.

149

There.

—

Good boy.

150

Throw wide the casement. Doth not the soft breeze

151

Revive thee?

Julian

155

A sick man is as wayward as a child;

Annab.

157

A week.

Julian

158

I have no memory of aught. ’Tis just

159

Like waking from a dream

;

a horrible

160

Confusion of strange miseries

;

crime and blood

161

And all I love.— Great

eaven, how clear it seems!

162

How like a truth! I thought that I rode forth

163

On my white Barbary horse

—

Say, did I ride

164

Alone that day?

Annab.

165

Yes.

Julian.

166

Did I? Could I? No.

167

Thou dost mistake. I did not. Yet

’tis strange

168

How plain that horror lives within my brain

169

As what hath been.

Annab.

170

Forget it.

Julian.

171

Annabel,

172

I thought I was upon that gallant steed

173

At his full pace. Like clouds before the wind

174

We flew, as easily as the strong bird

175

That soars nearest the sun

, till,

; till

in a pass,

176

Between the mountains, screams and cries

for

help

177

Rang in mine ears, and I beheld—O

heav’n

God

178

It was not—

could not—no! no!

Could not—No.

I have been sick

179

Of a sharp fever, and delirium shews,

180

And to the bodily sense makes palpable

181

Unreal forms, objects of sight and sound

182

Which have no being

save in the burning brain

183

Of the poor sufferer. Why should it shake me

Annab.

184

Could

’

st thou walk to the window

and quaff down

185

The fragrant breeze, it would revive thee more

186

Than food or sleep. Forget these evil dreams.

187

Can

’

st thou not walk?

Julian.

188

I’ll try.

Annab.

189

Lean upon me,

190

And Theodore. Approach dear boy; support him.

Alfonso approaches Julian Julian.

Eyeing him

seeing Alfonso

191

Ha!

art thou there? Thou? I am blinded. dazzled.

Art thou here? Thou! I am blinded, dazzled!

192

Is this a vision

this fair shape

that seems

193

A living child? Do I dream now?

Annab.

194

He is

195

Young Theodore

, the

. The

page, who that sad night

196

Returned

—

Julian.

197

Then

all is real. Lay me down

198

That I may die

Alfon.

199

Alas! I feared too surely

200

That when he saw me,—

Annab.

201

Julian! This is grief

202

Not sickness

Julian!

Alfon.

203

Rouse him not, dear

ady!

204

See how his hands are clenched

!--

Waken him not

205

To frenzy

! Oh,

. Oh

that I alone could bear

206

This weight of misery

Annab.

207

He knows the cause,

208

And I— It is my right, my privilege

209

To share thy woes, to soothe them. I’ll weep with thee,

210

And that will be a comfort. Did

’

st thou think

211

Thou could’st be dearer to me than before

212

When thou wast well and happy? But thou art

213

Now. Tell me this secret.

~~Oh, spare my heart~~

I’ll be faithful,

214

I’ll never breathe a word.

—Oh,

spare my heart

215

This agony of doubt! What was the

~~horror~~

horror

216

That maddened thee?

Julian.

217

Within the rifted rocks

218

Of high Albano, rotting in a glen,

219

Dark, dark at very noon, a father lies

220

Murdered by his own son.

Annab.

221

And thou did

’

st see

222

The deed! An

aweful

awful

sight to one so good!

223

Yet—

Julian.

224

Birds obscene, and wolf, and ravening fox,

225

Ere this— only the dark hairs on the ground.

226

And the brown crusted blood! And she can ask

227

Why I am mad!

Annab.

228

Oh! a thrice

aweful

awful

night

229

To one so duteous! Holy priests should lave

230

With blessed water that foul spot, and thou,

231

Pious and pitying, thou shalt—

Julian.

232

Hear at once,

233

Innocent

torturer; that, drop by drop,

Torturer, that drop by drop

234

Pour’st

moulten

molten

lead into my wounds

, that

—that

glen—

235

Hang not upon me

—In that darksome glen

236

My father lies. I am a murderer

237

A parricide

! Accurst of god and man!

, accurst of God and man.

238

Let go my hand

. Purest

! purest

and whitest saint,

239

Let go

Annab.

240

This is a madness. Even now

241

The fever shakes him.

Julian.

242

Why, the mad are happy

243

Annabel, this is a soul-slaying truth.

244

There stands a witness.

Alfon.

245

Julian knew him not.

246

It was to save a life, a worthless life

247

that I had but died beneath the sword

248

Which seemed to tremble!

That seemed so terrible!

That I had ne’er

249

Been born to grieve thee

Julian! Pardon me,

250

Dear

ady, pardon me!

Annab.

251

Oh, gentle boy,

252

How shall we soothe this grief?

Alfon.

253

Alas

alas!

254

Why did he rescue me

I’m a poor orphan;

255

None would have wept for me

;

I had no friend

256

In all the world

, but one.

save one. I had been reared

257

Shame on me, that I shunned the sword

Julian.

258

heaven

Heaven,

259

It could not be a crime to save thee!

Kneel

kneel

260

Before him, Annabel. He is the

King.

king

Annab.

261

Alfonso

Alfon.

262

Aye, so please you, fairest Cousin,

263

But still your servant. Do not hate me,

ady,

264

Tho’

Though

I have caused this misery. We have shared

265

One care, one fear, one hope

; have watched &

, have watched and

wept

266

Together! Oh,

Together. Oh

how often I have longed,

267

As we sate silent by his restless couch,

268

To fall upon thy neck

and mix our

~~fears~~

tears,

269

And talk of him. I am his own poor Cousin.

270

Thou wilt not hate me

Annab.

271

Save that lost one, who

272

Could hate such innocence?

Julian.

273

’Twas not in hate,

274

But wild ambition. No ignoble sin

275

Dwelt in his breast. Ambition, mad ambition,

276

That was his

dol. To that bloody god

277

He offered up the

milk white

milk-white

sacrifice,

278

The pure, unspotted

ictim. And even then,

279

Even in the crime, without a breathing space

280

For penitence, or prayer, my sword—Alfonso,

281

Thou would’st have gone to

eaven.

Annab.

282

Art thou certain

283

That he is dead?

Julian.

284

I saw him fall. The ground

285

Was covered with his blood.

Annab.

286

Tell me the tale.

287

Did

’

st thou— I would not wantonly recall

288

That scene of anguish

—

Did

’

st thou search his wound?

Julian.

289

Annabel, in my eyes that scene will dwell

290

For ever, shutting out all lovely sights,

291

Even thee, my Beautiful! That torturing thought

292

Will burn

a living fire within my breast

293

Perpetually; words can nothing add,

294

And nothing take away. Fear not my frenzy;

295

I am calm now. Thou know’st how buoyantly

296

I darted from

the straight,

thee, straight

o’er vale

and

hill,

297

Counting the miles by minutes. At the pass

298

Between the Albano mountains, I

first breathed

299

A moment my hot steed, expecting still

300

To see the royal escort. Afar off

301

As I stood, shading with my hand my eyes,

302

I thought I saw them; when

, at once,

at once

I heard

303

From the deep glen, east of the pass, loud cries

304

Of mortal terror. Even in agony

305

I knew the voice, and darting

thro’

through

the trees.

306

I saw Alfonso, prostrate on the ground,

307

Clinging around the knees of one, who held

308

A dagger over him

in act to strike,

309

Yet

with averted head, as if he feared

310

To see his innocent victim. His own face

311

Was hidden

;

till at one spring I plunged my sword

318

Here, here

, he

. He

died.

Annab.

319

And thou

—

Julian.

320

I could have lain

321

In that dark glen for ever; but there stood

322

The

dear-bought and the dear

dear-bought, and the dear,

kinsman and prince

323

And friend. We heard the far-off clang of steeds

324

And armed men, and fearing some new foe,

325

Came homeward.

Annab.

326

And did he, then, the unhappy,

327

Remain upon the ground?

Julisn.

328

Alas! he did.

Annab.

329

Oh! it was but a swoon. Listen, dear Julian,

330

I tell thee

I have comfort.

Julian.

331

There is none

332

Left in the world. But I will listen to thee

333

aithfullest.

Annab.

334

Count D’Alba sent to crave

335

An audience. Thou wast sleeping. I refused

336

To see him; but his messenger revealed

337

To Constance his high tidings, which she poured

338

In my unwilling ears

;

for I so feared

339

To wake thee, that ere half her tale was told

340

I chid her from me

. Yet

; yet

she surely said

341

The Duke

thy father—

Julian.

342

What?

Annab.

343

Approached the city.

Julian.

344

Alive? Alive?

Oh! no!

Oh no!

no! no! Dead! Dead!

345

The corse

! the clay cold

, the clay-cold

corse!

Annab.

346

Alive, I think;

347

But Constance—

Julian.

Alf.

348

He will sink under this shock

349

Of hope.

Annab.

350

Constance heard all.

Julian.

351

Constance! What ho

352

Constance!

Annab.

353

She hears thee not.

Julian.

354

Go seek her

,—fly

! Fly

355

If he’s alive

, why

—Why

art thou not returned

356

When that one little word will save two souls

Exit Annabel. Alfon.

357

Take patience, dearest

cousin.

Cousin!

Julian.

358

Do I not stand

359

Here

like a man of marble? Do I stir?

360

She creeps; she creeps. Thou would’st have gone and back

361

In half the time.

Alfon.

362

Nay, nay, ’tis scarce a minute.

Julian.

363

Thou may’st count hours and ages on my heart.

—

364

Is she not coming?

Alfon.

365

Shall I seek her?

Julian.

366

Hark!

367

They’ve met. There are two steps; two silken gowns

368

Rustling

;

one whispering voice. Annabel! Constance

369

Is he—one word!

—

Only one word!

Enter Annabel. Annab.

370

He lives

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch. Alfonso & Annabel go to him. Scene drops.

Julian sinks on his knees before the couch; Alfonso and Annabel go to him, and the scene falls.

End of the First Act.

Act 2d.

II.

Scene 1

A splendid Hall of Audience in the

Royal Palace.

royal Palace, magnificently decorated.

D’Alba and Bertone, entering.

D’Alba and Bertone.

D’Alba.

373

Again refuse to see me!

Bert.

374

Nay, my lord,

375

She’s still beside her husband’s couch, and Paolo

376

Refused to bear the message.

D’Alba.

377

Even her lacquey

378

Reads my hot love

and her contempt

No matter

379

How’s Julian?

Bert.

380

Mending fast.

D’Alba.

381

He’ll live! He’ll live!

382

She watches over him, making an air

383

With her sweet

breath. He’ll

breath;—he’ll

be immortal! Yet

384

If that dark tale be true

, or half.

—or half—

Bertone,

385

Haste to the

court of guard. Seek

Court of Guard; seek

Juan Castro,

386

A Spanish soldier

. Lead

; lead

him home. I’ll join ye.

387

Hence! I expect the Barons, whom I summoned

388

To meet me here. Come back

See if the Princess

389

Will now admit me. No!

—’Twould

’twould

wake suspicion.

390

Hence to the Court of Guard

Exit Bertone

391

I think that scorn

392

Doth fan love more than beauty. Twice to-day

393

Have I paced patiently these royal halls,

394

Like some expecting needy courtier. Swell not,

395

Proud charmer, thy vast debt! Where lag these Barons?

396

Methinks this change might rouse—

Enter Calvi, followed by other

Lords

Nobles

. Calvi.

398

A fair good morrow, D’Alba

D’Alba.

399

Hast thou heard

400

These heavy tidings? The young king

King—

Meeting the other lords, as they drop in

Approaching to meet the other Lords as they enter.

401

My Lords,

402

Good morrow’s out of date

Know ye the news?

Calvi. D’Alba.

404

Murdered

Calvi.

D’Alba.

410

Stumbles at these new dignities

! The

!--the

King.

411

Therefore I summoned ye. He will be here

412

Anon.

Enter Valore and other Nobles.

413

Valore, thou art late.

Valore.

414

This tale

415

Puts lead into men’s heels. How fell it?

D’Alba.

416

Read

417

Count Calvi! Read!

Calvi. reads

Alfonso being dead, and I hurt almost to death, they left me fainting on the ground, where I lay

till a poor

but honest

muleteer bore me to his hut.—-

418

He hath been wounded!

D’Alba.

428

Only the pretty boy! Read on. Read on

Calvi. reads

Make known these missives to our loyal people. We shall follow them straight. From your loving cousin,

"The King."

Valore.

439

The King. How he will wear his state!

How proudly he will wear his state.

Why, D’Alba,

440

Thy worshipped Annabel chose well

. She’ll

; she’ll

441

A Queen.

D’Alba.

442

Yet

my poor title, had she graced it,

443

Comes by

unquestioned

unquestion’d

sheer descent,

unstained

unstain’d

444

By dark, mysterious murder. My good

Fathers,

fathers

—

445

Heaven rest their souls!

lie

—lie

safely in the churchyard,

446

A simple race

! Whilst

; whilst

these high

rinces—Sirs,

447

These palace walls have echoes, or I’d tell ye

—

448

’Tis a deep riddle

—

but amongst them all

449

The pretty boy is dead.

Enter Leanti

450

Leanti!

Leanti.

451

Lords,

452

The King is at the gate.

D’Alba.

453

The King! Now, Sirs,

454

Don your quick smiles, and bend your supple knees

;

—

455

The King!

Enter Melfi. aside

456

He’s pale

,—he

, he

hath been hurt.aloud My liege,

457

Your vassals bid you welcome.

Melfi.

458

Noble Signors,

459

I greet you well. Thanks, D’Alba. Good Leanti

460

I joy to see those reverend locks. I never

461

Thought to behold a friendly face again.

462

And now I bring ye sorrow. Death hath been

463

Too busy

, tho’

; though

the ripe and bearded ear

464

Escaped

Escap’d

his sickle—but ye know the tale;

465

Ye welcomed me as King

;

and I am spared

466

The painful repetition.

Valore.

467

Sire, we know

468

From your own royal hand enough for joy

469

And sorrow. Death hath ta’en a goodly

boy,

child

470

And spared a glorious man. But how—

Melfi.

471

My lord,

472

What wouldst thou more? Before I entered here

473

Messina’s general voice had hailed her Sovereign

474

Lacks but the ceremonial form. ’Twere best

475

Th’

The

accustomed pageant were performed even now,

476

Whilst ye, Sicilian Barons, strength

and

grace

477

Of our Sicilian realm, are here to pledge

478

Solemn allegiance. Say I sooth, Count D’Alba?

D’Alba.

479

In sooth my liege, I know not. Seems to me

480

One form is wanting. Our bereaved state

481

Stands like a widow, one eye dropping tears

482

For her lost lord, the other turned with smiles

483

On her new bridegroom. But even she, the Dame

484

Of Ephesus, the buxom relict, famed

485

For quick dispatch o’er every widowed mate,

486

Woman or state

—

even she, before she wed,

487

Saw the good man entombed. The

funeral first,

Funeral first;

488

And then the

coronation!

Coronation.

Melfi.

489

Scoffer! Lords,

490

The corse is missing.

Calvi.

491

Ha!

perchance he lives.

Perchance he lives?

Melfi.

492

He fell, I tell thee.

Valore. Melfi. D’Alba.

496

He! Why, my liege,

497

Was there but one?

Melfi.

498

What mean ye, Sirs? Stand off

D’Alba.

499

Cannot your Highness guess the murderer?

Melfi.

500

Stand from about me, Lords! Dare ye to front

501

A King? What

d’ye

do ye

doubt me

;

you, or you?

502

Dare ye to doubt me? Dare ye look a question

503

Into mine eyes? Take thy gaze off! A

king

King

504

Demands a modester regard. Now, Sirs,

505

What do ye seek? I tell ye, the fair boy

506

Fell underneath the

Assassin’s sword,

assassin’s sword;

and I,

507

Wounded almost to death, am saved to prove

508

My subjects’ faith, to punish, to reward,

509

To reign, I tell ye, nobles. Now, who questions?

510

Who glares upon me now?

What,

What!

are ye mute?

Leanti.

511

Deign to receive our homage, Sire, and pardon

512

The undesigned offence. Your

highness

Highness

knows

513

Count D’Alba’s mood.

Melfi.

514

And he knows mine. Well! Well!

515

Be all these heats forgotten.

A pause, during which, Melfi looks round the circle

Calvi. to D’Alba

516

How his eye

517

Wanders around the circle

Melfi.

518

Ye are met,

519

Barons of Sicily, in such august

520

And full assemblage

as may well beseem

521

Your office

;

honour well yourselves and me;

522

Yet one is missing,—greatest, first and best,—

523

My son. Knows not Prince Julian

that his father

524

Is here? Will he not come? Go, some one say

525

That I would see him.

Exit Calvi Valore.

526

Sire, the Prince hath lain

527

Sick of a desperate malady.

Melfi.

528

Alas!

And I—

sick, did’st

Sick didst

thou say?

Valore.

529

Eight days have passed

530

Since he hath left his couch.

Leanti.

531

He’s better now.

532

The gentle

princess, who,

Princess, who

with one young page

533

Hath tended him—

Melfi.

534

What page?

Leanti.

535

A stranger boy,

536

Seen but of few, young Theodore.

Melfi.

537

A stranger!

538

Say on. The

princess—

Princess—?

Leanti.

539

As I crossed the hall,

540

I met her

with her own glad step, her look

541

Of joy

, and when I asked how fared prince Julian,

; and when I asked how fared Prince Julian?

542

She put her white hands into mine, with such

543

A smile, and then passed on

—

Melfi.

544

Without a word?

Leanti.

545

Without a word, save the mute eloquence

546

Of that bright smile.

D’Alba.aside

548

Smile on that dotard! Whilst I

—

aloud Why

my lords,

549

Here’s a fine natural sympathy

;

the son

550

Sickens at the father’s wound! The very day

,—

551

The very hour

He must have known the deed

;

—

552

Perchance

he knows the

Assassin.

assassin—

Melfi.

553

Stop

D’Alba.

554

My liege,

555

I speak it in his

honor

honour

. Many an heir

556

Had been right glad to step into a throne

557

Just as the mounting pulse of youth beat high

;—

558

A soldier

too!

And

and

with a bride so fair,

559

So delicate, so fashioned for a Queen

560

By cunning nature. But he—for full surely

561

He knew—

Melfi.

562

Stop—no, no, no—

Stop. No, no, no,

he knew it not!

563

He is my son

Enter Calvi,

follow’d

followed

by Julian. Calvi.

564

My liege, the Prince

,—

Melfi.

565

Already!

566

Pardon me, good my lords, that I request

567

A moment’s loneliness. We have been near

568

To death since last—Have touched upon the grave

—

569

And there are thoughts, which only our own hearts

570

Should hear. I pray ye

pardon me. I’ll join ye

571

Within the hour for the procession.

Exeunt D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi &c.

Melfi.

572

Julian!

Julian. Melfi. Julian.

576

Father!

Melfi.

577

I know what thou would’st say

. The hat

Julian.

Melfi.

Jul.

Melfi.

Julian.

581

I’m well.

Melfi.

582

Fie! when thou

shakest

tremblest

so.

Julian.

583

I’m well.

Call not these thoughts again—

I have been

584

Sick, brainsick, heartsick, mad

! But that is past!

. I thought—I feared—

585

It was a foretaste of the pains of

ell

586

To be so mad

and yet retain the sense

587

Of that

which made me so.

But all is past,

But thou art here,

Melfi.

591

Thou hast not told me of thy wife

. They say

Julian.

595

To pay her duty

Melfi.

596

Stay

Count D’Alba looked

597

With evil eyes upon thee, and on me

598

Cast his accustomed tauntings. Is there aught

599

Amiss between ye?

Julian.

600

No.

Melfi.

601

He hath not yet

602

Perhaps forgotten your long rivalry

603

For Annabel’s fair hand. A dangerous meaning

604

Lived in those bitter gibes; a

Lurked in those bitter gibes. A

dangerous foe

605

Were D’Alba. Julian, the

sea-breeze

sea breeze

to thee

606

Brings

health and strength

health, and strength,

and joy. I have an errand

607

As far as Madrid. None so well as thou

608

Can bid it speed. There shalt away

to-day.

to day;—

610

The wind is fair.

Julian. Melfi.

612

Have I not said?

Julian.

613

Send me

, just risen from a sick couch,

just risen from a sick couch

to Madrid!

614

Lead

Send

me from home, from thee! Banish me! Father,

615

Can

’

st thou not bear my sight?

Melfi.

616

I cannot bear

617

Contention. Must I needs remind thee, Julian,

618

I have also been ill?

Julian.

619

I’ll go

to-day

to day

620

How pale he is

I had not dared before

621

To look upon his face. I’ll go

to-day

to day

Melfi.

622

This very hour?

Julian.

623

This very hour.

Melfi.

624

My son

625

Now call thy—

Yet a moment—Where’s the boy?

yet a moment. Where’s the boy—

He shall aboard with thee—thy pretty page

Julian. Melfi.

627

He, whom thou call’st—

Julian.

628

Wilt thou not say the

ing?

Melfi.

629

Young Theodore.

631

Of what hath chanced. ’Twas well to bring him hither

632

And keep him at thy side. He shall away

633

To Spain with thee, that Theodore—Forget

634

All other titles. He’ll be glad of this.

636

To lie in summer gardens, in the shade

637

Of orange groves, whose pearly blossoms fall

638

Amidst his clustering curls, and to his lute

639

Sing tenderest ditties

—such his happy lot.

,—such his happy lot;

640

Whilst I—

go,

Go,

bring thy wife.

Julian.

641

He is the

ing.

Melfi.

642

Call lady Annabel.

Julian.

643

The

king, I say!

King, I say,

644

The rightful

king! The only king!

King, the only King!

I’ll shed

645

The last drop in my veins for

king Alfonso!

King Alfonso.

Melfi.

646

Once I forgave thee. But to beard me thus,

647

And for a weak

and peevish youth, a faintling,

648

A boy of a girl’s temper

;

one who shrinks

649

Trembling and crouching at a look, a word,

650

A lifted finger, like a beaten hound

Julian.

651

Alas! poor boy

he hath no other friend

652

Since thou, who should’st defend him,—

Father! Father!

Father, Father,

653

Three months have scarcely passed since thy dear brother,

654

(Oh, surely thou loved

’

st him!) with the last words

655

He ever spake, besought thy guardian care

656

Of his fair child. Next upon me he turned

657

His dying eyes, quite speechless then, and thou

—

658

I could not speak, for poor Alfonso threw

659

Himself upon my breast

with such a

gust

gush

660

Of natural grief, I had no utterance—

661

But thou didst vow for both protection, faith

662

Allegiance; thou did

’

st swear so fervently,

663

So deeply, that the

Spirit flew to heaven

spirit flew to Heaven

664

Smiling

—

I’ll keep that oath.

Melfi. Julian.

666

Urge not that thought

upon

me. ’Tis a fire

667

Here in my heart

; my brain. Bethink thee, father,

, my brain. Bethink thee, Father,

668

Soldier, Statesman

Soldier or statesman

, thine is the first name

669

Of Sicily, the General, Regent, Prince,

671

What could that little word a

ing do more

672

For thee?

Melfi.

673

That little word! Why

that

is fame,

674

And power

and glory! That shall fill the world

675

Lend a whole age its name, and float along

676

The

Stream of Time

stream of time,

with such a buoyancy,

677

As shall endure when palaces and tombs

678

Are swept away like dust. That little word!

679

Beshrew thy womanish heart

that cannot feel

680

Its spell!

Guns without

Guns and shouts are heard without.

681

Hark! Hark! The

Guns! I feel it now

guns! I feel it now.

682

I am proclaimed. Before I entered here

683

’Twas known throughout the

City

city

that I lived,

684

And the boy-king was dead.

Hark! King Rugiero.

Guns, bells, and shouts again.

685

Dost hear the bells, the shouts? Oh

’tis a proud

686

And glorious feeling thus at once to live

687

Within a thousand bounding hearts, to hear

688

The strong out-gushing of that present fame

689

For whose uncertain dim futurity

690

Men toil, and slay, and die! Without a crime—

691

I thank thee still for that—

without a crime,—

Without a crime—

692

For he’ll be happier

,—I am a king!

—I am a King.

Shouts again.

693

Dost thou not hear

, Long live the King, Rugeiro!

Long live the King Rugiero?

Julian.

694

The shout is weak.

Melfi.

695

Augment it by thy voice.

696

Would the words choak

Prince Julian? Cannot he

697

Wish long life to his

ather?

Julian.

698

Live, my

ather!

699

Long live the Duke of Melfi!

Melfi.

700

Live the King!

Julian.

701

Long live the

king,

King

Alfonso!

Melfi.

702

Now, by

eaven,

703

Thou art still brainsick. There is a contagion

704

In the soft dreamy nature of that child,

705

That thou, a soldier—I was

over proud

overproud

706

Of thee

and thy young fame

, that

. That

lofty brow

707

Seemed made

Seem’d form’d

to wear a crown. Chiefly for thee—

708

Where is the

age?

Julian.

709

ather, once again

710

Take pity on us all! For me! For me!

711

Thou hast always been to me the kindest, fondest

—

712

Preventing all my wishes— I’ll not reason,

713

I’ll not contend with thee. Here at thy feet

714

Prostrate in spirit

as in form

I cry

715

For mercy! Save me from despair

from sin!

Melfi.

716

Unmanly,

rise!

est in that slavish posture

717

I treat thee as a slave.

Julian.

719

Thy words

strike deeper, to the very core.

pierce deeper, to the very core!

721

I do conjure thee

by that name, by all

722

The boundless love it guerdons, spare my soul

723

This bitterness

Melfi.

724

I’ll reign.

Julian.

725

Aye,

reign, indeed!

reign indeed;

728

I’ve ever loved thee as a son,

—Do this,

, do this

729

And I shall worship thee. I will cling to thee

;

730

Thou shalt not shake me off

Melfi.

731

Go to

—Thou’rt mad!

; thou art mad.

Julian.

732

Not yet; but thou may’st make me so.

Melfi.

733

I’ll make thee

734

The heir of a fair crown.

Julian.

735

Not all the power

736

Of all the earth can force upon my brow

737

That heritage of guilt. Cannot I die?

738

But that were happiness

! I’d ~~make thee~~rather drag

. I’d rather drag

739

A weary life

beneath the silent rule

740

Of the stern Trappist, digging my own grave

;

741

Myself a living corse

cut off from the sweet

742

And natural kindness that man shews to man

;

743

I’d rather hang, a hermit, on the steep

745

Rather than sit

, a crowned and honoured prince,

a crown’d and honour’d prince

746

Guarded by children, tributaries, friends,

747

On an

surper’s throne.

Shouts and guns without

Guns without.

Melfi.

748

I must away.

749

We’ll talk of this anon. Where is the boy

Julian.

750

Safe.

Melfi.

751

Trifle not with my impatience, Julian

;

752

Produce the child.

However

Howe’er

thou may deny

753

Allegiance to the king, obey thy father.

Julian.

754

I had a father.

Melfi.

755

Ha!

Julian.

756

But he gave up

757

Faith, loyalty,

& honor

and honour

, and pure fame,

758

And his own son.

Melfi.

759

My son!

Julian.

760

I loved him once

761

And dearly. Still too dearly! But with all

762

That burning, aching, passionate old love

763

Wrestling within my breast

, even face to face,

; even face to face;

764

Those eyes upon me

;

and that trembling hand

765

Thrilling my very heartstrings—Take it off

766

In mercy, take it off

! Still I renounce thee,

!--Still I renounce thee.

767

Thou hast no son—I

Thou hast no son. I

have no father. Go

768

Down to a childless grave.

Melfi.

769

Even from the grave

770

A father’s curse may reach thee, clinging to thee

771

Cold as a dead man’s shroud, shadowing thy days,

772

Haunting thy dreams, and hanging, a thick cloud

773

’Twixt thee and

heaven. Then when,

Heaven. Then, when

perchance thine own

774

Small prattling pretty ones shall climb thy knee

775

And bid thee bless them, think of thy dead father,

776

And groan

as thou dost now.

Guns again

777

Hark! ’tis the hour

778

I must away. Back to thy chamber, son,

779

And chuse if I shall curse thee.

Exit

Exit Melfi.

Julian.

after a pause

780

Did he curse me?

781

Did he? Am I that withered, blasted wretch?

782

Is that the fire that burns my brain?

not yet,—

Not yet!

783

Oh, do not curse me

yet—

yet!

He’s gone. The boy!

784

The boy!

Exit

Rushes out.

End of Act 2d.

END OF THE SECOND ACT

Act 3d.

ACT III

Scene 1

SCENE.

The interior of a magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the foreground, with steps round it, and the figure of an old Warrior on the top,

A Magnificent Cathedral. A Gothic Monument in the Foreground, with Steps round it, and the Figure of an old Warrior on the top.

D’Alba, Leanti, Valore, Calvi, and other nobles. Calvi.

785

Where stays the

ing?

Leanti

786

He’s robing

to assume

787

The Crown.

Calvi.

788

What a gloom reigns in the Cathedral!

789

Where are the people

who should make and grace

790

This pageant?

Valore.

791

’Tis too sudden.

D’Alba.

792

Saw ye not

793

How coldly, as the slow procession moved,

794

Men’s eyes were fixed upon him? Silently

795

We passed amid dull silence. I could hear

796

The chink of money, which the

eralds flung,

797

Reverberate on the pavement. They

who stooped

798

To gather up the

coin

, looked on the impress

799

Of young Alfonso, sighed

and shook their heads

800

As ’twere his funeral.

Calvi.

801

Methinks this place

802

The general tomb of his high

like,

line

doth cry

803

Shame on us! The mute citizens do mourn him

804

Better than we.

D’Alba

805

Therefore the gates are closed,

806

And none but peers of Sicily may pass

807

The guarded doors

Leanti.

808

Where is Prince Julian?

D’Alba.

809

Sick

810

Here comes the

mighty-one, and the great prelates,

Mighty One, and the great Prelates

811

That shall anoint his haughty brow; ’tis bent

812

With a stern joy

Enter Nobles, Bishops, ~~Abbots~~ &c. in procession. An Abbot, bearing the crown, and lastly Melfi, in royal robes.

Enter Melfi, in Royal Robes, preceded by Nobles, Officers, &c. bearing the Crown, Archbishop, Bishops, &c.

Melfi.

813

No! To no tapered shrine

! Here! This is my Altar;

814

The tomb of my great ancestor, who first

815

Won from the Paynim this Sicilian crown,

816

And wore it gloriously; whose name I bear

817

As I will bear his

honoured

honour’d

sceptre. Here,

818

At this most kingly

ltar, will I plight

819

My vow to Sicily, the nuptial vow

820

That links my fate to her

’

s. Here I’ll receive

821

Her Barons’ answering faith. Hear me, thou shade

822

Of great Rugiero, whilst I swear to guard

823

With heart and hand

the realm thy valour won,

824

The laws thy wisdom framed—brave legacy

825

To prince and people! to defend their rights

;

826

To rule in truth and justice

peacefully,

827

If peace may be; and with the aw

ful arm

828

Of lawful power to sweep the oppressor off

829

From thy blest Isle; to be the

peasants’ king,—

Peasants’ King—

830

Nobles, hear that!--the

peasant’s king and yours’

Peasants’ King and yours

831

Look down,

ancestral spirit

Ancestral Spirit

, on my oath,

832

And sanctify and bless it! Now the crown.

D’Alba.

833

What noise is that at the gate?

Melfi.

Archb.

Melfi.

D’Alba

Melfi.

834

Give me the crown,

835

And with a steady grasp it shall endue

836

These throbbing brows

that burn till they are bound

837

With that bright diadem.

Enter Julian quickly hurrying Alfonso along.

Enter Julian and Alfonso.

Julian

839

This is the King

the real, the only King!

840

The living King Alfonso!

Melfi.

841

Out, foul traitor!

842

’Tis an impostor.

Julian.

843

Look on him, Count D’Alba!

844

Calvi, Valore, look! Ye know him well.

845

And ye

that never saw him, know ye not

846

His father’s lineaments? Remove thy hand

847

From that fair forehead. ’Tis the pallid brow

848

Bent with pensiveness, the dropping eye

lid,

849

The womanish changing cheek

—his very self!

850

Look on him. Do ye know him? Do ye own

851

Your King?

Calvi.

852

’Tis he

D’Alba

853

The boy himself

Julian.

854

Now place

855

The crown upon his head

, and hear me swear

; and hear me swear

856

Low at his feet, as subject, kinsman,

rince,

857

Allegiance.

Alfon.

858

Rise, dear Cousin.

Julian.

859

Father, kneel,

860

Kneel here with me

thou, his first subject, thou

861

The guardian of the state, kneel first, and vow

862

Thy princely fealty.

Melfi. Julian.

to Alf.

Melfi

877

Off

cursed

Viper

viper

878

Off, ere I hurl thee on the stones!

Julian.

879

I’ve done

880

My duty. Was it not my duty?

Alfon.

881

Julian

882

Sit here by me

—

;

here on the steps.

D’Alba

883

Again

884

We must demand of thee,

Regent, once more,

my Lord of Melfi,

885

How chanced this tale of murder? Here’s our

rince,

886

Safe

and unhurt. But where’s the Assassin? Where

887

The regicide? Where he that wounded thee?

Melfi. Pointing to Julian

888

Demand of him.

D’Alba.

889

Where be

the

these

murderers?

890

Art sure thou saw’st them, Duke? Or was’t a freak

891

Of the deft Fay

Morgana? Did

’

st thou feel

892

The trenchant blade? Or, was the hurt thou talk’st of

893

A fairy wound, a phantasm? Once again

894

I warn thee

speak.

Melfi.

895

Demand Prince Julian, Sir,

896

This work is his.

D’Alba.

897

He speaks not. Little King,

898

What say’st thou?

Alfon.

899

Julian saved me.

D’Alba.

900

Saved! From whom?

901

From what

Alfon.

902

ing should have no memory

903

But for good deeds. My lords, an it so please you

904

We’ll to the

alace. I’ll not wear to-day

905

This crown

: Some fitting season,

. Some fitting season;

but not now.

906

I’m weary. Let us home.

D’Alba.

907

Aye, take him hence

908

Home with him, Count Valore. Stay by him

909

Till I come to ye. Leave him not

.—

Nay, Calvi,

910

Remain. Hence with the boy.

Alfon.

911

ousin Julian,

912

Wilt thou not go with us?

Julian.

913

I’ve done my duty

—

914

Was’t not my duty? But look there

look there!

915

I cannot go with thee. I am his now

916

All his

Alfon.

917

Uncle

—

Melfi.

918

Away,

bright worm

bright spotted worm

—

D’Alba

919

What

ho! the guard!

Alfon.

920

My lord, where Julian is

921

I need no guard. Question no more of this,

922

But follow us.

Exeunt

Valore, Alfonso,

Alfonso, Valore,

and other nobles.

Melfi.

923

I do contemn myself

924

That I hold silence. Warriors, kinsmen, friends,

925

Barons of Sicily, the valiant princes

926

Of this most fertile and thrice famous Isle,

927

Hear me! What yonder crafty Count hath dared,

928

With subtle question

and

derive

derisive

smile

929

To slide into a meaning, is as true

930

As he is false. I would be King

;

I’d reign

931

Over fair Sicily; I’d call myself

932

Your Sovereign, Princes; thine, Count D’Alba, thine,

933

Calvi, and old Leanti

:—We’ve been

—we were

comrades

934

Many a year in the rough path of war

935

And now ye know me all. I’ll be a King

936

Fit for this warlike nation, which brooks sway

937

Only of men. Yon slight fair boy is born

938

With a woman’s heart. Let him go tell his beads

939

For us

and for our kingdom

. I’ll be King,

, I’ll be King.

940

I’ll lend unto that title such a name

941

As shall enchase this bauble with one blaze

942

Of honour. I’ll lead on to glory,

ords,

943

And ye shall shine in the brightness of my fame

944

As planets round the sun. What say ye?

D’Alba.

945

Never!

Calvi and others.

Calvi, &c.

946

Never!

Melfi.

947

Say thou, Leanti, thou’rt a soldier

948

Worthy of the name

,—

a brave one! What say’st thou?

Leanti.

949

If young Alfonso—

D’Alba.

950

Peace

! Why,

. Why

this is well.

951

This morning I received a tale—I’m not

952

An over-believer in man’s excellence;

953

I know that in this slippery path of life

954

The firmest foot may fail; that there have been

955

Ere now

ambitious generals, grasping heirs,

956

Unnatural kinsmen, foul usurpers, murderers

!--

957

I know that man is frail, and might have fallen

958

Tho’ Eve had never lived

, albeit,

,—Albeit

I own

959

The smiling mischief’s potency. But this,

960

This tale was made up of such several sins,

961

All of them devilish, treason, treachery,

962

And pitiless cruelty made murder pale

963

With their red shame

. I doubt not readily,

,—I doubt not readily

964

When man and guilt are joined—but this the common

965

And general sympathy

that links our kind

966

Forbade to believe. Yet

, now,

now

before ye all,

967

His peers and mine, before the vacant throne

968

He sought to usurp, before the crown that fell

969

As conscious from his brow

I do arraign

970

Rugiero, Duke of Melfi, General, Peer,

971

Regent

and Prince, of

reason.

Melfi.

972

Treason! D’Alba

973

We quarrel not for words. Let these but follow

974

And bold emprise shall bear a happier name.

975

Sicilians, have ye lost your Island spirit?

976

Barons, is your ancient bravery tamed down

977

By this vain scoffer? I’ll to the people. They

978

Love their old soldier.

D’Alba.

979

Stop. Duke

I arraign thee

980

Of murder; planned, designed, attempted murder,

981

Though incomplete, on the thrice sacred person

982

Of young Alfonso, kinsman, ward, and

ing.

983

Wilt thou defend this too? Was’t a brave deed

984

To draw the

ssassin’s sword on that poor child?

985

Seize him!

Melfi.

986

Come near who dares! Where be thy proofs?

987

Where be thy witnesses?

D’Alba.

988

There’s one

Prince Julian,

989

Rouse thee!

He props himself against the tomb, as though

He sits erect and motionless

991

Rouse thee, and answer

as before thy

god.

God,

992

As there is truth in

heaven, did’st

Heaven. Didst

thou not see

993

Thy father’s sword at young Alfonso’s breast?

994

Lay not the boy

already dead with fear,

995

At his false guardian’s feet? Answer!

Melfi.

996

Aye, speak,

997

Prince Julian! Dost thou falter now?

On! On!

On, on,

998

And drive the dagger home

On, on, I say.

Calvi.

999

We wait your Highness’ answer.

Leanti. Julian. D’Alba. Julian. Calvi. D’Alba.

1018

summon Juan Castro thither. Hence!

1019

Why loiter ye?

Melfi.

1024

One

word with thee, Prince Julian.

1025

I pray ye, listen

; ’tis no treason, Lords.

, ’tis no treason, lords.

1026

I would but say, finish thy work

; play

. Play

well

1027

The part that thou hast chosen

; cast

. Cast

aside

1028

All filial yearnings

; be a gallant foe;

. Be a gallant foe.

1029

Rush onward through the fight

; trample me down:

. Trample me down.

1030

Tread on my neck

; be perfect in that quality,

. Be perfect in that quality

1031

Which thou call’st justice

; quell thy womanish weeping,

. Quell thy womanish weakness.

1032

Let me respect the enemy, whom once

1033

I thought my

son

Son

Julian.

1034

Once,

father

Father

Melfi.

1035

I’m no

father.

Father!

1036

Rouse not my soul to curse thee

Tempt me not

1037

To curse thy

mother. She,

Mother—She

whom once I deemed

1038

A saint in purity

. Be resolute.

; Be resolute,

1039

Palter

Falter

not with them. Lie not.

Julian.

1040

Did I ever?

—

Melfi.

1041

Finish thy work. On, soldiers

Exit, guarded.

Exit Melfi, guarded.

D’Alba.

1042

Answer,

rince!

1043

The Duke, as thou hast

heart

heard

, disclaims thee.

Julian.

1044

Dare not

1045

A man of ye say that. I am his son

—

1046

Tremble

lest my sword should prove me so

!--A

;—a

part

1047

Of his own being. He gave me this life,

1048

These senses, these affections. The quick blood

1049

That knocks so strongly at my heart is his—

1050

Would I might spill it for him! Had ye no fathers,

1051

Have ye no sons, that ye would train men up

1052

In parricide? I will not answer ye.

D’Alba.

1053

This passion is thy answer. Could’st thou say

1054

;

in that simple word were more comprised

1055

Than in a

word

world

of fiery eloquence.

1056

Can

’

st thou not utter No? ’Tis short and easy,

1057

The first sound that a stuttering babe will lisp

1058

To his fond nurse

; yet thy tongue stammers at it.

,—yet thy tongue stammers at it!

1059

I ask him if his father be at once

1060

Traitor and

murderer;

Murderer,

and he cannot say

1061

No!

Julian.

1062

Subtle

blood-thirsty fiend! I’ll answer

1063

To nought that thou can

’

st ask. Murderer! The

ing

1064

Lives. Seek of him. One truth I’ll tell thee, D’Alba,

1065

And then the record of that night shall pass

1066

Down to the grave in silence. But one sword

1067

Was stained with blood in yonder glen

—’twas mine

1068

was

the only guilty. This I swear

1069

Before the all-seeing God, whose quenchless gaze

1070

Pierced through that

twilight-hour

twilight hour

. Now condemn

1071

The Duke of Melfi

an ye dare

. I’ll speak no more

! I’ll speak

Leanti.

1073

Thou the guilty

1074

Thou!

Julian.

1075

I have said it.

D’Alba.

1076

I had heard a tale—

Leanti.

1077

This must be sifted.

D’Alba.

1078

In that twilight hour

1079

A mortal eye beheld them. An old Spaniard,

1080

One of the guard

. By heaven,

—By Heaven

it is a tale

1081

So bloody, so unnatural, man may scarce

1082

Believe it

Leanti

1083

And the

ing still lives.

D’Alba

1084

Why,

’

tis

1085

A mystery. Let’s to the

hall of Justice,

Hall of Justice

1086

And hear this soldier. Sir, they are ambitious,

1087

Father & son

.—We can pass judgement there:

—We can pass judgment there,

1088

This is no place

;

—Leanti, more ambitious

1089

Than thou can

’

st guess.

Julian.

1090

Aye, by a thousand fold!

1091

I am an

aglet born, and can drink in

1092

The sunlight, when the blinking owls go darkling,

1093

Dazzled

and blinded by the day. Ambitious!

1094

I have had

day

dreams would have shamed the visions

1095

Of that great

aster of the world, who wept

1096

For other worlds to conquer. I’d have lived

1097

An age of sinless glory, and gone down

1098

Storied

, and epitaph’d, and chronicled

and epitaphed and chronicled,

1099

To the very end of time

.—Now

. Now

—But I still

1100

May suffer bravely

—may die as a p

, may die as a P

rince,

1101

man.—Ye go to Judgement

Man. Ye go to judgment

. Lords, remember

1102

I am the only guilty.

Calvi

1103

We must needs

1104

On such confession

give you into charge

1105

A prisoner. Ho! Captain.

The Officer & Guards advance.

Leanti.

1106

Goes he with us?

D’Alba.

1107

No; for the

all is near, and they are best

1108

Questioned apart. Walk by me, good Leanti,

1109

And I will shew thee why.

Leanti.

1110

Is’t possible

1111

That Julian

and his father fought?

stabb’d his father?

D’Alba.

1113

They met as friends

. No! No!

; no! no!

Exeunt Calvi and other Lords Enter Annabel

(hastily)

. Annab.

1114

Where is he? Where?

1115

Julian!

D’Alba.

1116

Fair Princess

—

Annab.

1117

Stay me not

—My

. My

Julian!

D’Alba.

1118

how she sinks her head upon his arm!

1119

How her curls kiss his cheek!

nd her white hand

1120

Lies upon his

. The cold,

! The cold

and sluggish husband!

1121

does not clasp that loveliest hand!

doth not clasp that loveliest hand, which nature

Leanti.

1122

Count D’Alba, see

1123

We are alone

—Wilt

. Wilt

thou not come?

D’Alba.

1124

Anon.

1125

Now he hath seized her hand, hath dared to grasp

—

1126

He shall not hold it long.

Leanti.

1127

They’ll wait us, Count.

D’Alba.

1128

That white hand shall be mine

Exeunt D’Alba

and

Leanti Julian.

1129

My Annabel,

1130

Why art thou here?

Annab.

1131

They said—I was a fool

1132

That believed them

—Constance said she heard a cry

1134

That there had been a fray, that thou wast slain

:—

1135

But thou art safe, my Julian?

Julian.

1136

As thou

see’st

seest

1137

But thou

Thou

art breathless still.

Annab.

1138

Aye

—

I flew through the streets,

1139

Piercing the crowds like light

I was a fool

—

;

1140

But thou had’st left me on a sudden, bearing

Julian. Annabel. Julian.

1153

Say

1154

The King

the rightful, the acknowledged King!

Annab.

1156

no! no!

Jul.

Ann.

Julian.

1160

No. The pang

1161

Is mastered. Where?

e is a prisoner

1162

Before the States

—I am a prisoner here—

. I am a prisoner here.

1163

These are my guards

—Be calm, sweetest!

. Be calmer, Sweetest.

Rend not

1164

This holy place with shrieks.

Annab.

1165

They seek thy life

1166

They’ll sentence thee! They’ll kill thee! No

, they shall not;

! they shall not,

1167

Unless they kill me first. What crime

? Oh Heaven!

—O God,

Julian.

1170

Somewhat of yon sad night

1171

They know.

Annab.

1172

Where’s Theodore? The

age? The King?

Jul.

Ann.

Julian.

1174

Where would’st thou go?

Annab.

1175

To the States.

Julian.

1176

And there?

Annab.

1177

I’ll tell the truth, the truth,

1178

The irresistible truth! Let go

,—a

. A

moment

1179

May cost thy life

—our lives—

,—our lives.

Nothing but truth,

1180

That’s all thy cause can need

! Let go!

. Let go.

Julian.

1181

And he,

1182

My father?

Annab.

1183

What’s a thousand such as he

1184

To thee, my husband! But he shall be safe

;

1185

He is thy father

;

I’ll say nought can harm him.

—

1186

He was ever kind to me

; I’ll pray for him!

! I’ll pray for him.

1187

Nay, an thou fear’st me, Julian, I’ll not speak

1188

One word

.—

;

I’ll only kneel before them all,

1189

Lift up my hands, and pray in my inmost heart,

1190

As I pray to God.

Julian.

1191

My loving wife, to

him,

Him

1192

Pray

to him only. Leave me not my dearest.

, to Him only. Leave me not, my dearest;

Enter D’Alba, Calvi, Leanti and Nobles

1194

Ha! returned

1195

Already! This is quick. But I’m prepared.

1196

The sentence

Annab.

1197

Tell it not! Ye are

its judges;

his Judges.

1198

Ye have the power of life and death

; your

. Your

words

1199

Are fate

—Oh! Speak not yet. Listen to me!

. Oh speak not yet! Listen to me.

D’Alba.

1200

Aye

, a long summer day.

; a long summer day!

What would’st thou?

Annab.

1201

Save him!

1202

Save him!

D’Alba.

1203

He shall not die.

Annab.

1204

Now

bless thee, D’Alba!

1205

Bless thee! He’s safe!

e’s free!

Julian.

1206

Once more I ask

1207

His doom, for that is mine. If ye have dared

1208

In mockery of justice, to arraign

1209

And sentence your great

uler, with less pause

1210

Than a petty thief

taken in the manner

—What’s

, what’s

1211

Our doom?

D’Alba.

1212

Sir, our great ruler (we

that love not

1213

Law’s tedious circumstance

may thank him) spared

1214

All trial by confession. He avowed

1215

Treason

& regicide,

and regicide;

and all that thou

1216

Had

’

st said

or might say, he avouched unheard

1217

For truth, then cried

;

as thou hast done, for

judgement.

judgment,

Julian.

1218

I can die

too.

Leanti.

1219

A milder doom

1220

Unites ye. We have spared the royal blood

D’Alba.

1221

Only the blood. Estates and

honors

honours

all

1222

Are forfeit to the

king. The Assembled States

King; the assembled states

1223

Banish ye

—The most holy church

; the most holy Church

declares ye

1224

Beneath her ban. This is your sentence, Sir.

1225

erald waits to read it in the streets

1226

Before ye

. And from out the city gates

, and from out the city gate

1227

To thrust ye

;

outlawed, excommunicate,

1228

Infamous amongst men. Ere noon to-morrow

1229

Ye must depart from Sicily; on pain

1232

Food, shelter,

comfort, so pass ye forth

comfort, speech. So pass ye forth

1233

In infamy!

Annab.

1234

Eternal infamy

1235

Rest on your heads, false

udges! Outlawed! Banished!

1236

Bereft of all state and title! Thou art still

1237

Best of the good, greatest

amongst

the great,

1238

My Julian! Must they die that give thee food

1239

And rest

and comfort? I shall comfort thee,

1240

thy true wife! I’ll never leave thee

, never!

. Never!

1241

We’ll walk together to the gate, my hand

1242

In thine, as lovers

—Let us forth.

. Let’s set forth.

We’ll go

1243

Together.

Julian.

1244

Aye

;

but not to-night. I’ll meet thee

1245

To-morrow

at the harbour.

Annab.

1246

, no,

! no!

no!

1247

I will not leave thee.

Julian.

1248

Cling not thus

! She trembles!

. She trembles.

1249

She cannot walk. Brave Sir, we have been comrades

;

1250

There is a pity in thine eye,

that

which

well

1251

Beseems a soldier. Take this weeping lady

1252

To King Alfonso

—

Tell the royal boy

1253

One, who was once his

kinsman,

Cousin

and his friend,

1254

Commends her to him. Go

To-morrow, dearest,

1255

We’ll meet again

—Now for this

. Now for the

sentence. Lords,

1256

I question not your power. I submit

1257

To all, even to this shame. Be quick! be quick!

Exeunt

End of Act 3rd

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

Act 4

ACT IV.

Scene 1

An Apartment in the

oyal Palace. D’Alba

Bertone. D’Alba.

1260

I’ve parted them at last. The livelong night

1261

The little King lay, like a page, before

1262

Her chamber door

;

and ever as he heard

1263

A struggling sigh within, he cried,

Alas!

alas!

1264

And echoed back her moan, and uttered words

1265

Of comfort. Happy boy

Bert.

1266

But he is gone

1267

Towards the gate

. Be sure, to seek

: be sure to meet

Prince Julian.

D’Alba.

1268

For that I care not, so that I secure

1269

The vision that once flitted from my grasp

Bert.

1270

Yet is Julian

1271

Still dangerous.

D’Alba.

1272

Why

after noon to-day

—

1273

And see the sun’s already high

! he dies,

!--he dies

1274

If he be found in Sicily. Take thou

1275

Two resolute comrades

to pursue his steps,

1276

Soon as the time be past. Did

’

st thou not hear

1277

The proclamation? Know’st thou where he bides

1278

And Melfi?

Bert.

1279

Good

my lord, ’tis said the Duke

1280

Is dead.

D’Alba.

1281

Dead!

Bert.

1282

Sure it is,

Certain ’tis

that yesternight

1283

He walked from out the

judgement hall,

Judgment Hall

like one

1284

Dreaming with eyes that saw not;

Dreaming, with eyes that saw not,

ears that heard

1285

No sound, staggering and tottering

, like old age,

like old age

1286

Or infancy

.—And

. And

when the kingly robe

1287

Was plucked from him, and he forced from the gate

1288

A deep wound in his side

, burst forth,

burst forth;

the blood

1289

Welled like a fountain.

D’Alba.

1290

And he died?

Bert.

1291

He fell

1292

Fainting

, and Julian, who had ~~treated~~tended him,

; and Julian, who had tended him

1293

Silently, with a spirit so absorbed

1294

His own shame seemed unfelt, fell on his neck

1295

Shrieking like maddening woman. There we left him,

1296

And there

, ’tis said,

’tis said

he hath outwatched the night.

D’Alba.

1297

There

on the ground?

Bert.

1298

So please you.

D’Alba.

1299

Thou hast known

1300

A softer couch, Prince Julian

Is the litter

1301

Prepared

,—and Julian’s groom?—

? And the old groom?

Bert.

1302

My lord, he waits

1303

Your pleasure.

D’Alba.

1304

Call him hither.

Exit Bertone.

1305

Blood welled out

1306

From a deep wound! Said old Leanti sooth?

1307

No matter

—Either way they’re guilty.

! Either way he’s guilty.

Re-

Enter Bertone,

enter Bertone

with Renzi.

1308

Ha! a reverend knave!

A reverend knave.

Wast thou

rince Julian’s huntsman?

Renzi.

1309

An please you, Sir, I was.

D’Alba.

1310

Dost know the

princess?

Princess?—

1311

Doth she know thee?

Renzi.

D’Alba.

1321

Dost thou love ducats, Renzi?

Flinging him a purse

Tossing him a purse.

1322

Can’st

Canst

thou grace

Renzi.

1324

Aye.

D’Alba.

1325

Go to the Princess

. Say

; say

thy master sent thee

1326

To guide her to him

; or the young Alfonso;

, or the young Alfonso,—

1327

Use either name, or both. Spare not for tears,

1328

Or curses. Lead her to the litter

. See

; see

1329

That Constance follows not. Bertone’ll gain

1330

Admittance for thee—Go.

Exit Renzi.

1331

Bertone seek me

1332

A supple churchman

;—

Know’st thou any? One

1333

Not scrupulous

, one, who loves gold, and laughs,

; one who loves gold, and laughs

1334

At conscience. Bring him to me. I must hasten

1335

Silently home. Let not the

rincess guess

1336

That I have left the palace.

Bert.

1337

No, my

ord.

Exeunt severally.

Scene 2d

SCENE II

The Country

just without the gates of Messina

, a hilly back-ground.

. A hilly back Ground.

Melfi lying on the Stage.

Melfi, lying on the Stage,

Julian. Julian.

1338

He wakes!

e is not dead! I am not yet

1339

A parricide

! I dare not look on him,

. I dare not look on him;

1340

I dare not speak

—

Melfi.

1341

Water! my throat is scorched.

Exit Julian.

1342

My tongue cleaves to my mouth.

Water!

Water! Will none

Exit Julian.

1344

Go fetch me water? Am I here alone

1345

Here on the bloody ground, as on that night

—

1346

Am I there still? No! I remember now

1347

Yesterday I was

ing; to-day, I’m nothing;

1348

Cast down by my own son

! Stabbed in my fame!

; stabbed in my fame;

1349

Branded

and done to death

! An Outlaw

; an outlaw

where

1350

I ruled! He, whom I loved with such a pride,

1351

With such a fondness, hath done this

, and I

; and I,

1352

Have

I have

not strength to drag me to his presence

1353

That I might rain down curses on his head,

1354

Might blast him with a look

Enter Julian. Julian.

1355

Here’s water

! d

. D

rink!

Melfi.

1356

What voice is that? Why dost thou shroud thy face?

1357

Dost shame to shew thyself? Who art thou?

Julian.

1358

Drink.

1359

pr’ythee,

pray thee

drink.

Melfi.

Julian.

1360

’Tis the pure

1361

And limpid gushing of a natural spring

1362

Close by yon olive ground. A little child

1363

Who stood beside the fount,

filled for me

watching the bright

1364

Her beechen cup

with her small innocent hand,

1365

And bade our

lady bless the draught.

Lady bless the draught!

Oh drink!

1366

Have faith in such a blessing!

Melfi.

1367

Thou should’st bring

1368

Nothing but poison. Hence, accursed cup!

Dashing the cup to the ground

1369

I’ll perish in my thirst. I know thee, Sir.

Julian.

1370

Father!

Melfi.

1371

I have no

Son. I had once

son. I had one once

1372

A gallant gentleman

, but he... What,

; but he—What,

Sir,

1373

Did you

Didst thou

never hear of that Sicilian Prince,

1374

Who made the fabulous tale of Greece a truth,

1375

And slew his father?

The old Laius fell

He stabbed, and stabbed, and stabbed.

1376

And the poor wretch cannot die.

Julian.

1377

I think my heart

1378

Is iron

that it breaks not.

Melfi.

1379

I should curse him—

1380

But

And

yet—Dost thou not know that I’m an outlaw

1381

Under the ban? They stand in danger, Sir,

1382

That talk to me.

Julian.

1383

I am an outlaw

too.

—

1384

Thy fate is mine

, our

. Our

sentence is alike.

Melfi.

1385

What! have they banished thee?

Julian.

1386

I should have gone,

1387

In very truth, I should have gone with thee

1388

Aye

to the end of the world.

Melfi.

1389

What

banish thee!

1390

Oh, foul ingratitude!

weak,

Weak

changeling boy!

Julian.

1391

He knows it not. Father, this banishment

1392

Came as a comfort to me, set me free

1393

From warring duties and fatiguing cares,

1394

And left me wholly thine. We shall be happy

;

1395

For she goes with us, who will prop

thy

steps,

1396

As once the

aid of Thebes, Antigone,

1397

In that old tale. Chuse thou whatever land

—

1398

All are alike to us

—but

. But

pardon me!

Melfi.

1399

My virtuous son!

Julian.

1400

thanks to thee

, and heaven! He sinks! He faints!

and Heaven! He sinks; he’s faint;

1401

His lips wax pale

I’ll seek the spring once more

1402

’Tis thirst.

Melfi.

1403

What music’s that?

Julian.

1404

I hear none.

Melfi

1405

Hark!

Julian

1406

Thou art weak and dizzy.

Melfi

1407

Angels of the air,

1408

Cherub

and

Seraph

sometimes watch around

Julian.

1409

I have heard so.

Melfi.

1410

Aye;

1411

But they were just men, Julian

;—they were holy;

! They were holy.

1412

They were not traitors.

Julian.

1413

Strive against these thoughts

—

1414

Thou wast a brave man,

father! Fight

Father!--fight

against them,

1415

As ’gainst the Paynims

thy old foes. He grows

1416

Paler and paler. Water from the spring

,—

;

1417

Or generous wine

. She will be here anon.

;—I saw a cottage near.

1418

Rest thee, dear

ather, till I come.

Exit Julian. Melfi.

1419

Again

1420

That music! It is mortal

. It

; it

draws nearer.

1421

But if men should pass, must I lie here

1422

Like a crushed adder? Here in the highway

1423

Trampled beneath their feet

?—

So! So! I’ll crawl

1424

To yonder bank

—Oh,

. Oh

that it were the deck

1425

Of some great Admiral, and I alone

1426

Boarding amidst a hundred swords! the breach

1427

Of some strong citadel, and I the first

1429

for the common undistinguished death

1430

Of battle, pressed by horse’s heels, or crushed

1431

By falling towers! And thing but to lie

1432

Here like a leper

Enter Alfonso,

Calvi, & Valore

Valore, and Calvi

. Alfon.

1433

’Tis the spot where Julian—

1434

And yet I see him not

—I’ll pause awhile

. I’ll pause awhile;

1435

’Tis likely he’ll return. I’ll wait.

Calvi. Alfonso. Valore. Alfonso. Calvi. Alfonso. Valore. Calvi. Alfonso. Calvi. Alfonso. Melfi.

1472

I fain would kneel to thee

1473

For pardon.

Calvi

1474

Listen not, my liege. The

tates

1475

Sentenced the Duke of Melfi

. Thou

; thou

hast not

1476

The power to pardon. Leave him to his fate.

Valore.

1477

’Twere best your

ighness came with us.

Alfon.

1478

Avoid

1479

The place! Leave us, cold, courtly lords! Avoid

1480

My sight! Leave us, I say. Send instant succour

1481

Food, water, wine, and men with hearts, if courts

1482

May breed such. Leave us

Exeunt Calvi and Valore. Melfi.

1483

Gallant boy!

Alfon.

1484

Alas!

1485

I have no power.

Melfi.

1486

For all I need thou hast.

1487

Give me but six feet of Sicilian earth,

1488

And thy sweet pardon.

Alfon.

1489

Talk not thus. I’ll grow

1490

At once into a man, into a king,

1491

And they shall tremble, and turn pale with fear

1492

Who now have dared—

Enter Julian.

1493

Julian!

Julian.

1494

Here’s water. Ha!

1495

Alfonso! I thought

pity had been dead.

Pity had been dead.

1496

I craved a little wine, for the dear love

1497

heaven, for a poor dying man,

Heaven, for a poor dying man;

and all

1498

Turned from my prayer. Drink,

father!

Alfon.

1499

I have sent

1500

For succour.

Julian.

1501

Gentle heart!

Melfi.

1502

The time is past.

1503

Music again

Alfon.

1504

Aye; ’tis a shepherd’s pipe

1505

From yonder craggy mountain. How it swings

1506

Upon the wind

now pausing, now renewed,

1507

Regular as a bell

Melf.

1508

A passing bell.

Alfon.

1509

Cast off these heavy thoughts.

Melfi.

1510

Turn me.

Alfon.

1511

He bleed

1512

The blood wells out.

Melfi.

1513

It eases me.

Julian.

1514

He sinks!

1515

He dies!

—Off!--He’s my father!

Off! he’s my father.

Rest on me.

Melfi.

1516

Bless thee

Julian

1517

No!

Oh,

no! no! no! I cannot bear

1518

Thy blessing

! Twice to stab! and twice forgiven!

. Twice to stab, and twice forgiven—

1519

! curse me,

curse me

rather!

Melfi.

1520

Bless ye both!

Dies

Alfon.

1521

He’s dead

;

1522

And surely he died penitent. That thought

1523

Hath in it a deep comfort. The freed spirit

1524

Gushed out in a full tide of pardoning love.

1525

He blest us both, my Julian

—

;

even me

1526

As I had been his son. We’ll pray for him

1527

Together, and thy Annabel shall join

1528

Her purest orisons. I left her stretched

1529

In a deep slumber. All night long she watched

1530

And wept for him and thee; but now she sleeps.

1531

Shall I go fetch her? She, better than I,

1532

Would soothe thee. Dost thou hear? He writhes as though

1533

The struggling grief would choke him. Rouse thee

, Julian!

. Julian,

1534

Calm thee

! Thou frighten’st me!

. Thou frighten’st me.

Julian.

1535

Am I not calm?

1536

There is my sword

—

Go.

Alfon.

1537

I’ll not leave thee.

Julian.

1538

King!

1539

Dost thou not see we’ve killed him? Thou had’st cause

;

1540

But I, that was his

son—

Son.—

Home to thy

alace!

1541

Home!

Alfon.

1542

Let me stay beside thee

;

I’ll not speak,

1543

Nor look, nor move. Let me but sit

and drop

1544

Tear for tear with thee.

Julian.

1545

Go.

Alfon.

1546

ousin Julian—

Julian.

1547

Madden me not. I’m excommunicate,

1548

An exile, and an outlaw, but a man

1549

Grant me the human privilege to weep

1550

Alone o’er my dead father. King, I saved

1551

Thy life

, repay

. Repay

me now a

thousand fold.

thousand-fold,—

1552

Alfon. Enter Paolo. Paolo.

1554

My liege,

1555

The

Lady Annabel.—

lady Annabel—

Julian.

1556

What

! Is

? is

she dead?

1557

Have I killed her?

Alfon.

1558

Speak, Paolo. In thy charge

1559

I left her.

Julian.

1560

Is she dead?

Paolo.

1561

No. Heaven forefend!

1562

But she hath left the

alace.

Julian.

1563

’Tis the curse

1564

Of blood that’s on my head

, on all I love!

; on all I love.

1565

She’s lost

Alfon.

1566

Did she go forth alone?

Paolo.

1567

My liege,

1568

Prince Julian’s aged

untsman, Renzi, came

1569

Sent, as he said, by thee, to bear her where

1570

Her

ord was sheltered.

Julian.

1571

Hoary traitor!

Paolo.

1573

Had gone, but D’Alba’s servants closed the gates,

1574

And

, then,

then

my heart misgave me.

Julian.

1575

Where’s my sword?

1576

I’ll rescue her! I’ll save her!

Alfon.

1577

Hast thou traced

1578

Thy

honoured

lady?

Paolo.

1579

No; but

No, my liege. But

much I fear—

1580

Certain

a closed and guarded litter took

1581

The way to the western suburb.

Julian.

1582

There, where lies

1583

The palace of Count D’Alba

. Stained! defiled!

! Stained—defiled—

1584

has

hath

thee now, my lovely one! There’s still

1585

A way—Let me but reach thee! One

Asylum!

asylum—

1586

One bridal bed

! one resting place!--

—One resting place.

All griefs

1587

Are lost in this

! Oh!

. Oh

would I lay as thou,

my father!

1589

For dogs to mangle

He was once a

rince.

—

1590

Farewell!

Alfon.

1591

Let me go with thee.

Julian.

1592

No. This deed

1593

Is mine.

Exit Julian. Alfon.

1594

Paolo

stay by the corse. I’ll after

1595

He shall not on this desperate quest alone.

Paolo.

1596

Rather, my liege, seek D’Alba

. As

:—

I deem

1597

He still is at thy

palace. So may the sweet lady

Palace. Watch him well.

1598

Be rescued, and Prince Julian saved.

Alf.

Exeunt.

Scene

Scene III

A Gothic Apartment. A recess in which is a niche window closed, but so constructed, as light may be thrown in. Near the recess, a small arched door, thro’ which is seen an inner chamber.—

Annabel is brought in by Servants, and follow’d by Count D’Alba.

D’Alba, Annabel, Guards.

D’Alba.

1599

Leave her with me. Guard well the gate; and watch

1600

That none approach the tower.

Exeunt Servants.

Exeunt Guards.

1601

Fair Annabel!

Annab.

1602

Who is it calls? Where am I? Who art thou?

1603

Why am I here? Now

heaven preserve me

D’Alba!

1604

Where’s Julian? Where’s

rince Julian? Where’s my husband?

1605

Renzi, who lured me from the palace, swore

1606

It was to meet my husband.

D’Alba.

1607

Many an oath

1608

First sworn in falsehood

turns to truth. He’s here.

1609

Calm thee, sweet lady.

Annab.

1610

Where? I see him not.

1611

Julian!

D’Alba.

1612

Another husband.

Annab.

1613

Then he’s dead!

1614

He’s dead!

D’Alba.

1615

He lives.

Annab.

1616

Heard I aright? Again!

1617

There is a deafening murmur in mine ears,

1618

Like the moaning sound that dwells in the

sea-shell;—

sea shell,

1619

So that I hear nought plainly. Say’t again.

D’Alba.

1620

He lives

Annab.

1621

Now, thanks to

heaven! Take me to him!

Heaven! Take me to him.

1622

Where am I?

D’Alba.

1623

In an old

and lonely tower

1624

At the end of my poor orchard.

Annab.

1625

Take me home.

D’Alba.

1626

Thou hast no home.

Annab.

1627

No home! His arms! his heart!

1628

Take me to him

D’Alba.

1629

Sweet Annabel, be still.

1630

Conquer this woman’s vain impatiency,

1631

And listen

.—Why,

. Why

she trembles as I were

1632

Some bravo

! Oh,

. Oh

that man’s free heart should bow

1633

To a fair cowardice! Listen. Thou know’st

1634

The sentence of the Melfi?

Annab.

1635

Aye, the unjust

1636

And wicked doom

that ranked the innocent

1637

With the guilty. But I murmur not. I love

1638

To suffer with him.

D’Alba.

1639

He is banished

;

outlawed,

1640

Cut off from every human tie

;—

Annab.

1641

Not all.

1642

I am his wife.

D’Alba.

1643

Under the

church’s ban!

Church’s ban.

1644

I tell thee, Annabel, that learned

riest,

1645

The sage Anselmo, deems thou art released

1646

From thy unhappy vows

;

and will

to-night

to night

—

Annab.

1647

Stop

I was wedded in the light of day

1648

In the great church at Naples. Blessed day!

1649

I am his wife

;

bound to him ever more

1650

In sickness, penury, disgrace. Count D’Alba,

1651

Thou dost misprize the world, but thou must know

1652

That woman’s heart is faithful, and clings closest

1653

In misery.

D’Alba.

1654

If the

hurch proclaim thee free

—

Annab.

1655

Sir, I will not be free

. And if I were,

; and if I were

1656

I’d give myself to Julian o’er again

—

1657

Only to Julian

Trifle thus no longer.

1658

Lead me to him. Release me.

D’Alba.

1659

Now

by heaven,

1660

I’ll bend this glorious constancy. I’ve known thee

1661

Even from a little child, and I have seen

1662

Thy stubborn spirit broken:;

That stubborn spirit broken:

not by fear

1663

That thou can’st quell

, nor interest, nor ambition,

; nor interest; nor ambition;

1664

But love! love! love! I tell thee, Annabel,

1666

This very night

—I will procure a priest

1667

And dispensations, there shall nothing lack

1668

Of nuptial form

—Wed me, or look

to hear

1669

Of bloody justice.

Annab.

1670

My poor father, Melfi!

D’Alba.

1671

The Regent

He is dead.

Annab.

1672

Heaven

God

hath been merciful.

D’Alba.

1673

Is there no other name? no dearer?

Annab.

1674

Ha!

D’Alba.

1675

Had

’

st thou such tender love for this

high

proud

father,

1676

Who little recked of thee, or thy fair looks

;

—

1677

Is all beside forgotten?

Annab.

1678

Speak

D’Alba.

1679

Why, Julian!

1680

Julian, I say!

Annab.

1681

He is beyond thy power.

1682

Thanks, thanks, great

heav’n

God

! He’s ruined, exiled, stripped

1683

Of name, and land, and titles. He’s as dead.

1684

Thou hast no power to harm him. He can fall

1685

No deeper. Earth hath not a lowlier state

1686

Than princely Julian fills.

D’Alba. Annab.

1689

What? But thou hast not the power!

1690

Hast thou? Thou

can’st not! Oh,

canst not. Oh

be pitiful!

1691

Speak

.—

I conjure thee, speak!

D’Alba.

1692

Didst thou not hear

1693

That he was exiled, outlawed, banished far

1694

From the Sicilian Isles, on pain of death

1695

If, after noon to-day, he e’er were seen

1696

In Sicily? The allotted bark awaits;

1697

The hour is past

;

and he is here.

Annab.

1698

Now

heaven

1699

Have mercy on us! D’Alba, at thy feet

1700

Upon my bended knees—Oh pity! pity!

1701

Pity and pardon! I’ll not rise. I cannot.

1702

I cannot stand more than a creeping worm

1703

Whilst Julian’s in thy danger. Pardon him!

1704

Thou wast not cruel once. I’ve seen thee turn

1705

Thy step from off the path

to spare an insect;

1706

I’ve marked thee shudder, when my falcon struck

1707

A panting bird

;

—though thou hast tried to sneer

1708

At thy own sympathy. D’Alba, thy heart

1709

Is kinder than thou knowest

.—

Save him, D’Alba!

1710

Save him!

D’Alba.

1711

Be mine.

Annab.

1712

Am I not his?

D’Alba.

1713

Be mine

;

1714

And he shall live to the whole age of man

1715

Unharmed.

Annab.

1716

I’m his.—Oh

, spare him! only

—Oh spare him!--Only

his.

D’Alba.

1717

Then

it is thou

that dost enforce the law

1718

On Julian

—Thou

; thou

, his loving wife, that guid’st

1719

The

fficer to seize him

where he lies

1720

Upon his father’s corse

.—Thou,

; thou

that dost lead

1721

Thy husband to the scaffold

—Thou, his wife!

;—thou his wife,

1722

His loving wife! Thou yet may’st rescue him.

Annab.

1723

Now,

heav’n

God

forgive thee, man! Thou torturest me

1724

Worse than a thousand racks. But thou art not

1725

So devilish, D’Alba

Thou hast talked of love

;

—

1726

Would’st see me die here at thy feet? Have mercy!

D’Alba.

1727

Mercy! Aye, such as thou hast shewn to me

1728

Through weeks

and months

and years. I was born strong

1729

In scorn, the wise man’s passion. I had lived

1730

Aloof from the juggling world, and with a

~~string~~ shrug

string

1731

Watched the poor puppets ape their several parts

;

1732

Fool, knave, or madman; till thy fatal charms,

1733

Beautiful mischief, made me knave and fool

1734

And madman; brought

Revenge, and Love, and Hate

revenge and love and hate

1735

Into my soul. I love

and hate thee, lady,

1736

And doubly hate myself for loving thee.

1737

But, by this teeming earth, this

glorious heaven,

starry Heaven,

1738

And by thyself

the fairest

, stubbornst thing,

stubbornest thing

1739

The fair stars shine upon, I swear to-night

—

1740

Thou shalt be mine. If willingly, I’ll save

1741

Prince Julian

. But

;—but

still mine. Speak. Shall he live?

1742

Can

’

st thou not speak? Wilt thou not save him?

Annab.

1743

No.

D’Alba.

1744

Did she die with the word!

Did’st

Dost

hear me, lady?

1745

I asked thee

would

’

st thou save thy husband?

Annab.

1746

No.

Not so! not so!

D’Alba.

1747

’Tis well

Exit Count D’Alba.

Exit D’Alba.

Annab.

1748

Stay! Stay! He’s gone.

1749

Count D’Alba!

ave him! Save him! D’Alba’s gone

1750

And I have

sentenc’d him!

sentenced him.

After a pause

1751

He would have chosen so

1752

Would rather have died a thousand deaths

, than to

than so

1753

Have lived

. Oh,

! Oh

who will succour me, shut up

1754

In this lone tower! none but those horrid guards,

1756

Poor Annabel is hidden

. No

; no

man cares

1757

How she may perish

.—Only one,

—only one—

and he—

1758

Preserve my wits! I’ll count my beads

. It will calm me—

; ’twill calm me:

1759

What

if I hang my rosary from the casement?

1760

There is a brightness in the gorgeous

Jewels

jewel

1761

To catch men’s eyes, and

haply, some may pass

1762

That are not

merciless

pitiless

. This window’s closed;

1763

But in yon

hamber—Ah, ’tis open! There

1764

I’ll hang the holy gem, a guiding star,

1765

A visible prayer to man and

god. Oh,

God. Oh

save me

1766

From sin and shame! Save him! I’ll hang it there.

Exit. End of the Fourth Act

Act 5th

ACT V.

Scene 1st

SCENE.

Same as the last.—The small door nearly closed.—A light from the setting sun thro’ the window

The same as the last; the arched Door nearly closed.

Annabel (alone)

Annabel.

1767

I cannot rest

, I wander to & fro’

. I wander to and fro

1768

Within my dreary prison, as to seek

1769

For comfort

and find none. Each hour hath killed

1770

A hope that seemed the last. The shadows point

1771

Upward

—The Sun is sinking. Guard me, Heaven,

. The sun is sinking. Guard me, heaven,

1772

Thro’

Through

this dread night!

Gun heard.

A gun is heard without.

1773

What evil

sounds?

sound—

All sounds

1774

Are evil here

!--

Is there some murder doing?

1775

Or wantonly

in sport

—

Enter Julian

Thro’ the small door.

through the arched Door.

Julian.

1776

Annabel!

Anna.

1777

Julian!

Julian.

1778

My wife!

rt thou still mine?

Anna.

1779

Thine own

Julian.

1780

She smiles!

1781

She clings to me! Her eyes are fixed on

mine

1782

With the old love, the old divinest look

1783

Of innocence! It is yet time. She’s pure

1784

She’s undefiled

.—Speak to me, Annabel!

!--Speak to me, Annabel.

1785

Tremble not so

Anna.

1786

’Tis joy

.—Oh,

. Oh

I have been

1787

So wretched! And to see thee when I thought

1788

We ne’er should meet again

!--How did’st

! How didst

thou find me?

Julian.

1789

The

osary! the blessed rosary

1790

Shone in the

Sunbeam like a beacon fire;

sun-beam, like a beacon fire,

1791

A guiding star

.—Thrice holy was the

! Thrice holy was its

light

1792

That led me here to save—

Anna.

1793

blessings on thee!

1794

How? Where? what way?

the iron door is barred.

The iron door is barred!

1795

Where

did’st thou enter, Julian?

didst thou enter Julian!

Julian.

1797

Of yonder chamber.

Anna.

1798

What

, that grim ascent?

? that grim ascent!

1799

That

aweful depth? Did’st

awful depth! Didst

thou dare this for me?

1800

And must I

—? But

?—But

I fear not. I’ll go with thee.

1801

I’m safe of foot, and light

—

I’ll go.

Julian.

1802

Thou can

’

st not.

Anna.

1803

Then go thyself, or he will find thee here,

1804

, and his ruffian band—

and his ruffian band.

Let us part now.

1805

Kiss me again

!--

Fly, fly from Sicily!

—

1806

That fearful man

! But he is all one lie,

—but he is all one lie—

1807

Told me thy life was forfeited.

Julian.

1808

He told thee

1809

A truth.

Anna. Julian.

1811

My Annabel

1812

The bloodhounds that he laid upon the scent

1813

Have tracked me hither

.—Did’st

. Didst

thou hear a gun?

1814

For once the ball passed harmless.

Anna.

1815

Art thou hurt?

1816

Art sure thou art not?

Julian.

1817

Yes

, but

. But

they who aimed

1818

That death

are on the watch

—

Their quarry’s lodged.

1819

We can escape them—one way—only

one way.

one!

Anna.

1820

How? What way?

Julian.

1821

Ask not.

Anna.

1822

Whither?

Julian.

1823

To—

my father.

Anna.

1824

Then he’s alive

!--Oh,

—Oh

happiness! They told me

1825

That he was dead

.—

Why do we loiter here?

1826

Let’s join him now.

Julian.

1827

Not yet.

Anna.

1828

Now

now! Thou know’st not

1829

How horribly these walls do picture to me

1830

The several agonies whereof my soul

1831

Hath drunk

to-day.—I

to day. I

have been tempted, Julian,

1832

By one—a fiend!

—Tempted ’till

tempted till

I almost thought

1834

To save me, and my pulse beats high again

1835

With love

and

hope. I am light-hearted now,

1836

And could laugh

like a child—only these walls

1837

Do crowd around me with a visible weight

1838

Of a palpable

pressure,

A palpable pressure;

giving back the forms

1839

Of wildest thoughts,

Of wildest thoughts

that wandered through my brain

1841

And

Note: Two words in this line and the next are completely illegible under the blot in the manuscript photofacsimile.

great unreal

And fear the Great Unreal!

—Take me hence!

1842

Take

Note: From the context of the lines and the 1823 text, the two words hidden by the blot damage are almost certainly “me away."

Take me away

with thee!

Julian.

1844

Thou sweetest wretch! I cannot

—Dotard! Fool!

1845

I must

—not yet, not yet.

. Not yet! not yet!

—Talk to me, Annabel;

1846

This is the hour when thou wast wont to make

1848

That woke thy spirit into joy

.—

Once more

1849

Talk to me, Annabel

Anna.

1850

Aye, all day long

1851

When we are free. Thy voice is

choaked,

choked;

thy looks

1852

Are not on me; thy hand doth catch

and twitch

1853

And grasp mine painfully

—that gentle hand!

Julian.

1855

Take thy lips from it!

Anna.

1856

Can

’

st thou save me, Julian?

1857

Thou always dost speak truth

.—Can’st save thyself?

Note: The first three letters are visible as “thy,” but the rest is obscured under the blot. We supply “thyself?” from comparison with the 1823 edition.

. Canst save thyself?

1858

Shall we go hence together?

Julian.

1860

One home

Anna.

1861

Why that is bliss

!--We shall be free

. We shall be poor

—

1862

Shall we not, Julian? I shall have a joy

1863

I never looked for

;

I shall work for thee,

1864

Shall tend thee, be thy

page, thy all!

Page, thy ’Squire, thy all,—

1865

Shall I not, Julian

Julian.

1866

Annabel, look forth

1867

Upon this glorious world! Look once again

1868

On our fair Sicily, lit by that sun

1869

Whose level beams do cast a golden shine

1870

On sea, and shore, and city, on the pride

1871

Of bowery groves

, on Etna’s smouldering top!

; on Etna’s smouldering top;—

1872

bright and glorious world!

nd thou of all

1873

Created things most glorious, tricked in light

1874

As the stars that live in Heaven!

Anna.

1875

Why dost thou gaze

1876

So sadly on me

Julian.

1877

The bright stars

how oft

1878

They fall, or

seem to fall!--The Sun—Look, look,

seem to fall! The Sun—look! look!

1879

He sinks, he sets in glory.

—Blessed orb

Blessed orb,

1880

Like thee

,—like thee. Dost

—like thee—Dost

thou remember once

1881

sat by the Sea-shore,

sate by the sea shore

when all the Heaven

1882

And all the

cean seemed one glow of fire

?—

1885

A spirit sailing in that flood of light

1886

Straight to the Eternal Gates, did

’

t pray to pass

1887

Away in such a glory

.—Annabel,

. Annabel!

1888

Look out upon the burning sky, the

Sea

sea

1889

One lucid ruby—

’Tis

’tis

the very hour!

1890

Thou’lt be a Seraph at the

fount of light before—

Fount of Light

Anna.

1891

What

must I die? And wilt thou kill me?

1892

Can

’

st thou? Thou cam’st to save—

Julian.

1893

To save thy

honor.

honour!

1894

I shall die with thee.

Anna.

1895

Oh, no! no!

Live! Live!

live! live!

1896

If I must die—Oh

it is sweet to live,

1897

To breathe, to move, to feel the throbbing blood

1898

Beat in the veins

,—

to look on such an earth

1899

On such a Heaven

,—

to look on thee! Young life

1900

Is very dear

Julian.

1901

Would’st live for D’Alba?

Anna.

1902

1903

I had forgot

.—I’ll die.—Quick! quick!

. I’ll die. Quick! Quick!

Julian.

1904

One kiss!

1905

Angel, dost thou forgive me?

Anna.

1906

Yes.

Julian.

1907

My sword

—

1908

I cannot draw it.

Anna.

1909

Now

!--I’m ready!

! I’m ready.

Enter Bertone and 2 others armed.

Enter Bertone, and two Murderers.

Bert.

1910

Seize him!

1911

Yield thee, Prince Julian

!--Yield thee! Seize the lady!

! Yield thee! Seize the lady.

Julian.

1912

fatal, fond delay

!--Dare

! Dare

not come near us

1913

Stand off! I’ll guard thee, sweet

. But

, but

when I fall

1914

Let him not triumph.

Bertone.

1915

Yield thee!

1916

Strike him down

! Now!

The two men have now advanced close to Julian, and one of them strikes at him with his Sword. Annabel rushes before Julian, receives the wound aimed at him, & falls dead at his feet.

Jul.

The two murderers have now advanced close to Julian.

Bertone.

One of the murderers strikes at Julian with his sword; Annabel rushes before him, receives the wound aimed at him, and falls at his feet.

Anna.

(before she is wounded).

Then after.

dies.

Anna.

Rushing forward.

after she is wounded

Dies.

Julian.

1923

Fiend

! hast

, hast

thou slain her? Die! die! die!

Kills him.

Bertone.

1925

Call instant help

! Hasten the Count!

Exit the other bravo

Exit the other murderer.

Julian & Bertone fight,

and

Julian kills him

Julian.

1926

Wife

wife

1927

My murdered

Wife

wife

! Doth she not breathe? I thought—

1928

My sight is dim—Oh

, ho!

no!

she’s pale, she’s cold,

she’s pale! she’s cold!

1929

She’s still!--If she were living

she would speak

1930

To comfort me.

—She’s mute, she’s stiff, she’s dead!

She’s mute! she’s stiff! she’s—dead!

1931

Why do I shiver at the word

? I

, that am

1932

Death’s factor

? Peopler of unhallowed graves?

, peopler of unhallowed graves,

1933

Slayer of all my race

? Not

! not

thee! not thee!

1934

Heaven, in its

God, in his

mercy, guided the keen sword

1935

To thy white bosom.—I could not.

—Lie there!

Lie there.

covering her with it.

1938

Will veil thy beauty next.

—One kiss! She died

One kiss!--She died

1941

Is he not coming?—I will chain in life

1942

Till I’ve avenged thee

!--

;

I could slay an army

1943

Now, in my strong despair

.—But that were mercy.—

. But that were mercy.

1944

He must wear daggers in his heart

—

He loved her;

—

1945

I’ll feed his hopes, and then—Aye

, ha, ha, ha!

—ha! ha! ha!

1946

That will be a revenge to make the fiends

1947

Laugh—

ha, ha, ha!--

ha! ha! ha!

I’ll wrap me in this cloak

taking one belonging to the dead bravo.

1948

And in the twilight—So!

—

He will not know

1949

My voice—

frightens me!--I have not hidden

1950

Thee quite, my Annabel

—

There is one tress

1951

Floating in springy grace

—as if—she’s dead!

1952

She’s dead

!--

I must not gaze, for then my heart

1953

Will break before

it’s

its

time.

—He comes!--

He comes.

The stairs

1954

Groan at his pressure.

Enter D’Alba, speaking to an Attendant.

Enter D’Alba.

D’Alba.

entering to an Attendant

1956

All’s tranquil. Where’s the traitor?

Julian.

1957

Dead

D’Alba.

1958

Who slew him?

Julian.

1959

D’Alba.

1960

And the

Lady

lady,

—where is she?

Julian.

1961

At rest.

D’Alba.

1962

Fair

gentleness

Gentleness

! After this perilous storm

1963

She needs must lack repose.

—

I’ll wait her here.

1964

Friend

thou hast done good service to the state

1965

And me

—We’re

; we’re

not ungrateful

—

Julian’s sword

1966

Fails him not often

;

and the slave who fled

1967

Proclaimed him Victor.

Julian.

1968

He slew two.

D’Alba.

1969

And thou

1970

Slew’st him? Aye

there he lies in the ermined cloak

1976

Call me ungenerous

.—

Roll him in his ermine

1977

And dig a hole without the city gate

1978

For him and the

great Regent.—Quick! I’ll have

proud Regent. Quick! I’d have

1979

The funeral speedy

.—Ah,

. Ah!

the slaughtering sword

1980

Lies by him, brown with clotted gore.

—Hence! Hence!

Hence! hence!

1981

And drag the

Carrion with thee!

carrion with thee.

Julian.

1982

Wilt thou not

1983

Look on the

Corse

corse

D’Alba.

1984

I cannot wait her waking.

1985

I must go feast my eyes on her fair looks—

1986

Divinest Annabel!

—my widowed bride!

My widowed bride!--

1987

Where is she?

Julian.

uncovering the body

1988

There

Now gaze thyself to Hell!

1989

Gloat with hot love upon that beauteous dust!

—

1990

She’s safe! She’s dead!

D’Alba.

1991

Julian!

Julian.

1992

But touch her not

1993

She’s mine.

D’Alba.

1994

perfectest and loveliest thing!

1995

Eternal curses rest upon his head

1996

Who murdered thee!

Julian.

1997

Off! off!

ollute her not!

1998

She’s white!

she’s pure!--Curses! Pour curse for curse

She’s pure!--Curses! Now curse for curse

1999

On the foul murderer

, on

! On

him who turned

2000

The sweet soul from her home, who slew her father,

2001

Hunted her husband as a beast of prey,

2002

Pursued, imprisoned, lusted, left no gate

2003

Open

save that to Heaven

—Off! gaze not on her!

2004

Thy look is profanation!

Throwing himself on the body.

Enter Alfonso, Leanti,

Valore & Guards.

Valore, &c.

Alfon.

Entering.

2007

This way!

—Oh,

sight of horror! Julian! Julian!

Valore.

2008

The Princess dead!

—Why,

Why

D’Alba—

Leanti.

2009

Seize him

guards

;

2010

Lead him before the States

.—

This bloody scene

2011

Calls for deep vengeance

D’Alba.

2012

If I were not weary

2013

a world that sweats under a load of fools

—

2014

Old creaking vanes

that turn as the wind changes

—

2015

Lords, I’d defy ye!

I’d live on for ever!

2016

And I defy ye now

.—

For she is gone—

2017

The glorious vision!--

nd the Patriarch’s years

2018

Were valueless

.—

Do with me as ye will;

—

2019

Ye cannot call back her.

Leanti.

2020

Off with him!

Exit D’Alba guarded. Alfon.

2021

Julian!

Wilt thou not speak?

Julian.

2022

I have been thanking

eaven

2023

That she is dead.

Valore.

2024

His wits are gone.

Alfon.

2025

My Julian

2026

Look on me

.—

Dost thou know me? I’m thy Cousin,

2027

Thy comforter

Julian.

2028

She was my

omforter!

2029

And now—

but I do know thee, thou’rt the King,

But I do know thee; thou’rt the King;

2030

The pretty boy I loved

.—She loved thee too.—

—She loved thee too!

2031

I’m glad thou’rt come to close my eyes.

—Draw nearer,

Draw nearer

2032

That I may see thy face

.—

Where art thou?

Alfon.

2033

Here!

Julian.

2034

Poor child

he weeps! Send for the

honored

honoured

dead

2035

Beside the city gate

—he pardoned me!

2036

Bury us in one grave

—all in one grave!

2037

I did not kill her

—

Strew her with white flowers,

2038

For she was innocent

Leanti.

2039

Cheer thee! Take hope!

Valore.

2040

Raise up his head

Alfon.

2041

My Julian!

Julian.

2042

He forgave me,

—

2043

Thou know’st he did.—White flowers

—nothing but white.

! Nothing but white!

Dies.

Leanti.

2044

He is

He’s

gone!

Alfon.

2045

And I am left in the wide world

2046

Alone

.—

My Julian!

End of the Play.

THE END.

Textual Notes

Line number 1168

Line number 1838

Line number 1841

Note: Two words in this line and the next are completely illegible under the blot in the manuscript photofacsimile.

Line number 1842

Note: From the context of the lines and the 1823 text, the two words hidden by the blot damage are almost certainly “me away."

Line number 1843

Note: The large blot on the manuscript image most likely covers the words “yet, not” as given in the 1823 publication. A descender that would match the letter “y” is just visible.

Line number 1857

Note: The first three letters are visible as “thy,” but the rest is obscured under the blot. We supply “thyself?” from comparison with the 1823 edition.

Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.