Bas. I will not tell thee what I think. Ros But I can guess it well, and it deceives thee. Leave this detested place, this fatal court, Where dark deceitful cunning plots thy ruin. A soldier's duty calls thee loudly hence. The time is critical. How wilt thou feel When they shall tell these tidings in thine ear, That brave Piscaro, and his royal troops, Our valiant fellows, have the enemy fought, Whilst we, so near at hand, lay loitering here? Bas. Thou dost disturb thy brain with fancied fears. Our fortunes rest not on a point so nice, That one short day should be of all this moment; And I might yet from some high towering cliff Some little spot that might her dwelling be; Ros. But with such hope, my friend, how stand thy fears? Are they so well refined? how wilt thou bear And hast a pleasure in the pain thou givest! Ros. No, not malignity, but kindness, Basil, Ros. God knows my heart! I would not give That fain would save thee from the yawning gulf, thee pain; But it disturbs me, Basil, vexes me Bas. What, is it possible thou hast beheld, Ros. So thinks each lover of the maid he loves, Thy words become disgusting to me, Rosinberg. Ros. Then, 'faith! 'tis fitting thou shouldst leave it now; Ay, on the instant. Is't not desperation That I should count and bargain with my heart, As little souls their base-bred fancies feed? Some deep impassable between us roll'd, Ros. Ah! have I then so long, so dearly loved thee; So often, with an elder brother's care, Thy childish rambles tended, shared thy sports; With boastful pride thine early rise beheld A second place, so I might serve with thee; To save his friend, for so they'll call me still; (Basil walks up and down in great agitation, then stops, covers his face with his hands, and seems to be overcome. Rosinberg looks at him earnestly.) O blessed heaven, he weeps! (Runs up to him, and catches him in his arms.) O Basil! I have been too hard upon thee. And is it possible I've moved thee thus ? Bas. (in a convulsed, broken voice.) I will renounce-I'll leave Let us depart, nor lose another hour. (Basil shrinks from his arms, and looks at him with somewhat of an upbraiding, at the same time a sorrowful look.) Ros. (hanging over him with pity and affection.) Alas! my friend! Bas. In all her lovely grace she disappear'd, Ah! little thought I never to return! Ros. Why so desponding? think of warlike glory. The fields of fair renown are still before thee; Who would not burn such noble fame to earn? Bas. What now are arms, or fair renown to me? Strive for it those who will-and yet, a while, Welcome rough war; with all thy scenes of blood; (starting from his seat.) Thy roaring thunders, and thy clashing steel! Welcome once more! what have I now to do But play the brave man o'er again, and die? Enter ISABELLA. Isab. (to Bas.) My princess bids me greet you you. Bas. Thank heaven for this! I will be there anon. Ros. (taking hold of him.) Stay, stay, and do not be a madman still. Bas. Let go thy hold: what, must I be a brute, A very brute to please thee? no, by heaven! (Breaks from him, and EXIT.) Res. (striking his forehead.) All lost again! ill fortune light upon her! (Turning eagerly to Isab.) And so thy virtuous mistress sends thee here To make appointments, honourable dame? Isab. Not so, my lord, you must not call it so: The court will hunt to-morrow, and Victoria Would have your noble general of her train. Ros. Confound these women, and their artful snares, Since men will be such fools! Isab. Yes, grumble at our empire as you willRos. What, boast ye of it? empire do ye call it? It is your shame! a short-lived tyranny, That ends at last in hatred and contempt. Isab. Nay, but some women do so wisely rule, Their subjects never from the yoke escape. Ros. Some women do, but they are rarely found. Bas. Nay, put me not to death upon the instant; There is not one in all your paltry court I'll see her once again, and then depart. Hath wit enough for the ungenerous task. Ros. See her but once again, and thou art ruin'd! | 'Faith! of you all, not one, but brave Albini, And she disdains it-Good be with you, lady! (Going.) Isab. O would I could but touch that stubborn heart! How dearly should he pay for this hour's scorn! [EXEUNT severally. SCENE IV.-A SUMMER APARTMENT IN THE COUN TRY, THE WINDOWS OF WHICH LOOK TO A FOREST. Enter VICTORIA in a hunting dress, followed by ALBINI and ISABELLA, speaking as they enter. Vict. (to Alb.) And so you will not share our sport to-day? 326 Alb. My days of frolic should ere this be o'er, But thou, my charge, hast kept me youthful still. I should most gladly go; but since the dawn, A heavy sickness hangs upon my heart; I cannot hunt to-day. Vain, fanciful, and fond of worthless praise; Vict. I'll stay at home and nurse thee, dear Al- The sober dignity of virtue wear not, bini. Alb. No, no, thou shalt not stay. I cannot follow to the cheerful horn And such a 'witching mien thy follies show, Nay, but I will. And smile it to disgrace. Not very sick. Alb. Rather than thou shouldst stay, my gentle child, I'll mount my horse, and go e'en as I am. Vict. Nay, then I'll go, and soon return again. Meanwhile, do thou be careful of thyself. What shall I do with thee?-It grieves me much, O! I could hate her for that poor ambition Isab. Hark, hark! the shrill horns call us to the I felt the like-1 did not feel it long: field: Your highness hears it? Vict. (Music without.) Yes, my Isabella; I hear it, and methinks e'en at the sound Isab. I tore it soon, indignant from my breast, As that which did degrade a noble mind. SCENE V.-A VERY BEAUTIFUL GROVE FOREST. [EXIT IN THE Music and horns heard afar off, whilst huntsmen and dogs appear passing over the stage, at a great distance Enter VICTORIA and BASIL, as if just alighted from their horses. Vict. (speaking to attendants without.) Lead on our horses to the further grove, And wait us there.(To Bas.) This spot so pleasing, and so fragrant is, 'Twere sacrilege with horses' hoofs to wear Its velvet turf, where little elfins dance, And fairies sport beneath the summer's moon; I love to tread upon it. Bas. O! would quit the chariot of a god Alb. Fy reigns that spirit still so strongly in For such delightful footing! thee, Which vainly covets all men's admiration, And is to others cause of cruel pain? O! would thou couldst subdue it! Vict. Vict. My gentle friend, thou shouldst not be The sunbeams on the bright'ning foliage play, (Turning round, and perceiving that he is gazing at her.) Vict. O no! that will not be! 'twill peace re- But thou regard'st them not. Ah! frown not thus! I cannot see thee frown. I do repent me that I led thee here. But 'twas the favourite path of a dear friend: (Basil starts.) Bas. His favourite path-a friend-here arm in arm Bas. (looking after her for some time.) See with what graceful steps she moves along, (Clasping his hands, and raising them to his Her lovely form, in every action lovely! head.) Then there is such a one! If but the wind her ruffled garment raise, (Drooping his head, and looking distractedly Which adds new grace. Or should some small upon the ground.) Vict. I have, my lord, been wont to think it cheerful. mishap, Some tangled branch, her fair attire derange, The distant landscape; now methinks she walks Bas. I thought your highness meant to leave this With doubtful lingering steps-will she look spot? Vict. I do, and by this lane we'll take our way; Vict. And is Count Basil so uncourtly grown, That dear, that loving friend of whom you spoke, I could weep o'er him now, shed blood for him! (Walks up and down with a hurried step, tossing Is it indeed your brother? back? Ah no! yon thicket hides her from my sight. Bas. Mess. Yes, conquer'd; taken the French king Vict. It is indeed: what thoughts disturb'd thee Who, like a noble, gallant gentleman, so? Fought to the last, nor yielded up his sword Bas. I will not tell thee; foolish thoughts they Till, being one amidst surrounding foes, were. Heaven bless your brother! Vict. Ay, heaven bless him too! I have but him; would I had two brave brothers, Bas. I would fly from thee to earth's utmost Were I thy brother And yet methinks, I would I had a sister. His arm could do no more. Bas. What dost thou say? who is made pri- Mess. I cannot catch their sense-the battle's o'er? Vict. And wherefore would ye so? Bas. The soft companion of thy hours to prove, Bas. They bravely fought, whilst we lay lingering O! what a fated blow to strike me thus ! Bas. Would I were laid a red, disfigured corse, Amid those heaps! they fought, and we were absent ! ACT V. SCENE I-A DARK NIGHT; NO MOON, BUT A FEW Bas. No sound is here: man is at rest, and I No streaming light doth from her chamber beam, (Walks about distractedly, then stops short.) And bless her still. All now is dark for me! Who sent thee here? Mess. Piscaro sent me to inform Count Basil, I will to quarters, narrow quarters go, Mess. I'll follow after him; he is distracted: Enter VICTORIA as if frightened, followed by ISABELLA. Vict. (to Isab.) Didst thou not mark him as he pass'd thee too? (Pauses for some time and looks upon the graves.) In some lone spot must lay my unburied corse, Isab. I saw him pass, but with such hasty steps I The haunt of damned sprites. O cursed wretch! had no time. Vict. I met him with a wild disorder'd air, In furious haste; he stopp'd distractedly, And gazed upon me with a mournful look, In the fair and honour'd field shouldst thou ha died, Where brave friends, proudly smiling through their tears, But pass'd away, and spoke not. Who art thou? Had pointed out the spot where Basil lay! (To the Messenger.) I fear thou art a bearer of bad tidings. (A light seen in Victoria's window.) But ha! the wonted, welcome light appears. Mess. No, rather good as I should deem it, How bright within I see her chamber wall! madam, Although unwelcome tidings to Count Basil. Our army hath a glorious battle won; Athwart it too, a darkening shadow moves, Ten thousand French are slain, their monarch cap- That drooping head? alas! is she in sorrow? tive. Vict. (to Mess.) Ah, there it is! he was not in Whose voice was gladness, and whose presence Mess. Nay, lady, by your leave, you seem not In some dark den from human sight conceal'd, |