Poems

by George Pope Morris

Scene I.

The stage represents part of the Castle of Spandau, and is arranged as follows: On the left, is a large rock; above which, in the distance, is the Tower. A large grated door opens upon a platform, surrounded by iron railing.—COUNT LANISKA is discovered leaning upon them. On the right, is an arched cell, with part of the wall jutting from the side, behind which is a secret door. Above this is a fine view of an open country, and a clear, blue, starlight sky. SOPHIA is seated in the cell, at a table.—The whole scene is so managed that, while the AUDIENCE have a full view of everything, the PRISONERS, although they hear, can not see each other.—Time, near midnight.—The curtain rises slowly to music.

DUET—SOPHIA and COUNT.

SOPHIA.
This gloomy cell is my abode at last;
The sole reward for all my perils past.
'Tis strange that love within the breast should dwell,
When hope, dejected, bids the heart farewell!

COUNT.
What sounds are these? No human form is near,
And yet that well-known voice I faintly hear,
'Twas sure the fancied music of the mind,
Whose breathings mingled with the midnight wind.

BOTH.
Yes!—'Tis lost!—'Tis gone!—Hark! it comes again,
Like distant echoes of a melting strain:
In melody {her/his} spirit floats around!—
That voice!—These walls are vocal with the sound.
I hear its music near me still!—'Tis there!
Sure 'tis some gentle spirit of the air!

(During the duet, the moon has been gradually rising, and the light falls through the grated windows of the Prison.)

(enter JAILOR, from the Tower, to COUNT LANISKA.)

JAILOR.
Count Laniska—a friend, with an order form the king.

COUNT.
I attend him. [Exit Count LANISKA.

(Jailor closes the iron door over the grated window, locks it, and retires.)

SOPHIA.
'Twas but a dream!—'Tis past, and all is still again!

[The bell in the tower strikes twelve

BRAVURA—SOPHIA
Hark! 'tis the deep-toned midnight bell,
That bids a sad and long farewell
To the departed hour;
How like a dirge its music falls
Within these cold and dreary walls,
Where stern misfortunes lower!

Ah! vainly through these prison-bars
Glide the pale beams of moon and stars,
To cheer this lonely tower;
From evening's close to dawn of day,
Hope's star sheds not a single ray
To light the solemn hour!

Alas! what pangs must guilt conceal,
When innocence like mine can feel
So crushed in such an hour!
I know not whether love be crime—
But if it is, in every clime
'Tis woman's fatal dower!
I can find no clew to this most cruel treachery.

What fiend in human shape has plotted my destruction? (Sound of chains—prison-door is unlocked.) Ah! Karl here!

(Enter KARL, who secures the door through which he came in. He takes a position on the opposite side of the stage, and regards SOPHIA attentively.)

KARL. Well, Sophia, we meet at last where we can confer without the possibility of interruption. I came to save you.

SOPHIA.
My life would not be worth preserving, owing anything to you.

KARL.
Subdue this unavailing anger, and listen to your friend.

SOPHIA. Not to you. The enmity of such a man is a tribute paid to honesty. Friend! (scornfully.)

KARL.
I came to give you liberty.

SOPHIA.
How?

KARL.
By flight.

SOPHIA.
Where?

KARL.
To Saxony.

SOPHIA.
With whom!

KARL.
The only one who loves you.

SOPHIA.
Name him.

KARL.
Behold him at your feet!

SOPHIA.
What mockery is this? Mark me, Karl: I am a weak, friendless, unprotected girl.
If your sex is strong, mine is resolute. Abandon your present designs—give up this
useless suit, and cease to persecute the innocent.

KARL.
I have heard you! Now listen to me. You are my destiny.

SOPHIA.
Wretch!

KARL. I can not and I will not live without you. To secure, if not your love, at least the possession of your person, I have periled everything. You are mine by right, and I will have my own.

SOPHIA.
Yours by right!—

KARL.
Yes.

SOPHIA.
What right?

KARL.
The king gave you to me.

SOPHIA.
I was not his to give.

KARL.
You were his bondwoman.

SOPHIA.
And his bondwoman spurned you, as she ought!

KARL.
With scorn you did!—I have not forgotten it.

SOPHIA.
And does so now again.

KARL.
You love another!

SOPHIA.
I'll not deny it.

KARL.
Torture! (Draws his dagger.)

SOPHIA (greatly terrified.)
Karl, you would not stain this prison-floor with blood!

KARL. I would, to strike my rival's heart through yours!—But words make the blow unnecessary. (Puts up his dagger.) Hear me, Sophia. Till I saw you, I never felt the pangs of love!—I never shed a tear! From manhood's early dawn, my savage nature could not brook reproof; nor friend nor foe had power over me. Your smile alone subdued this callous heart. Sophia, save me!—Save a repentant, wretched man!

SONG—KARL.
(German air.)
Once, mild and gentle was my heart!
My youth from guile was free!
But when love's bonds were torn apart,
What joy had life for me?
No words, no threats could daunt my soul,
My reckless spirit spurned control
Till swayed by smiles from thee!

A wanderer o'er the desert sand,
And outcast on the sea,
An exile from my native land—
What's all the world to me?
Each friend misfortune proved a foe:
I scorned the high—despised the low—
Till swayed by smiles from thee!

(At he conclusion of the song, enter, by the secret door, HAROLD, with a carbine, conducting in ALBERT and WEDGEWOOD stealthily.)

HAROLD (aside.)
I knew that I was right.

ALBERT (aside.)
Silence—on your lives!

WEDGEWOOD (aside.)
If it is convenient! [They conceal themselves.

SOPHIA.
It is in vain!

KARL. Then you must away with me this very night, this very hour, or perish here! (KARL advances and takes her by the wrist. ALBERT keeps WEDGEWOOD and HAROLD off.)

SOPHIA.
Villain, forbear! Oh, help me, Heaven!

KARL (drawing his dagger.) You call in vain! Your doom is sealed!—Die! (As he is about to stab SOPHIA, WEDGEWOOD seizes his arm.)

WEDGEWOOD.
You lie, you infernal scoundrel!

KARL. Ha! betrayed!—Have at you, then! (A struggle ensues between KARL and WEDGEWOOD, in which the former is overcome, and thrown upon the ground. SOPHIA rushes into ALBERT's arms in great agitation. HAROLD advances to the center of the stage, and aims his carbine at KARL. At the same moment, WEDGEWOOD, who has had a desperate struggle with KARL, exclaims—)

WEDGEWOOD Your dagger! your dagger! (Wrests it from him.) Now yield, or die!—(Rises, places his foot upon KARL, and holds the dagger up)—If it is convenient!

(Tableau.—Scene closes.)

[Exit.