She sinks gradually into his embrace, and he supports her on his breast in speechless tenderness.
Long. Detested sight! well, well, curses are weak revenge, and I’ll disdain their use.
Flor. Remove the monster to some sure confinement. The Count hereafter shall pronounce his punishment.
Long. Already I endure my heaviest curse. I view the objects of my hatred crown’d with joy. Come! to a dungeon!—darkness is welcome, since it hides me from exulting foes! Exit.
Ger. (advancing with tenderness.) Florian!—friend—ah! yet a dearer name—you rob me of a birth-right, still I must greet my new-found kinsman.
Flor. Geraldine! what means my love?
De Val. Florian! Heaven mysteriously o’er-watch’d thy hour of peril, and led a father through the desert, unconsciously to succour and redeem his child.
Flor. Ha! De Valmont’s glorious blood then circles in these veins!—My parent, my preserver! Ha! twice has existence been my father’s gift.
De Val. My pride thus long in humbleness!—my forest-prize! my foundling boy!—thou had’st my blessing ere I knew thy claim. Eugenia, greet our mutual image. Ah! wilt thou weep, sweet love. Thou bendest o’er his forehead e’en as a lily, brimming with clear dews, that stoops in beauteous sorrow to embathe its neighbouring bud. Thro’ many a storm of perilous and marring cares o’erborne, our long-benighted loves at last encounter on a sun-bright course, and reach the haven of domestic peace.
Thus Judah’s pilgrim—one whose steps in vain