SCENE I.——A chamber in the palace.
Enter Ottilia and Inis.
Otti. Was it so sudden?—What, no cause assigned,
And so severe a shock too?—Trust me, Inis,
Thy tale alarms me.
Inis. On the earth we found her
Senseless and cold: we raised and bore her hither,
Where she revived only to sigh and sorrow,
Wring her fair hands, and shriek her father's name.
Otti. 'Tis wondrous strange,—Mourning my own afflictions,
This rumour reached me; straight all else forgotten,
Hither by love and duty urged I sped,
Nor come I trust in vain,——this phial holds
Drops of most precious power.—Good Inis take it,
And in your lady's drink infuse this liquid:
My life upon her cure.
Inis. Obedience best
Will speak my thanks, nor doubt——Lo, where approaches
My lady's ghostly father, holy Bazil.
Enter Father Bazil.
Bazil. Pardon that rudely thus I break your parley,
But from the king I come, to bid the Infanta
Attend him here.——Good Inis lead me to her.
Inis. Here lies our way—Again I thank you, lady;
Ere night I'll use your gift. [Exit with Bazil.
Otti. And if thou dost,
Go ring a funeral knel, and get thee mourning,
And gather flowers to strew thy lady's grave:
Thou'lt gather none so sweet as that I wither,
—Hark! 'twas her voice.——How at the sound seemed ice
To seize my every vein!—My victim comes!
—I cannot bear her sight!—So young to die!
So young, so fair, so gentle, and so good!
With such an angel's life, and my soul's quiet—
Oh, God! Cæsario, thou art purchased dearly.
[Exit.
Enter Amelrosa, Bazil, Estella, Inis, and attendants.
Bazil. No passion flushed his cheek; his voice, his manner,
Though solemn were not stern; and when he named you,
A tear gushed forth, ere he could turn him from me.
Then droop not thus, nor doubt paternal love.—
Amel. Oh! 'tis that love distracts me, for his love
Was love so great! 'Twas but this morn he termed me
The only tie which chained him still to life!
And I have broke that tie!
Bazil. Nay, gentle princess!
Amel. Perhaps have broke his heart too! from his lips
Have dashed joy's last poor lingering drop, and shown him,
His only prop was frail as all the former!
Could I but think he felt like common parents,
That when he found my fault, affection died,
Then I were blest! then I alone should suffer,
And when his hatred broke my heart, could seek
Some lone sad place, and lay me down and die!
Alas! alas! I know I was his darling!
Know by the joy I gave him once, too well
How sharp the grief must be, I cause him now!
Bazil. That partial love which cherished thus your virtues,
Will now absolve your fault.
Amel. But when he frowns?
I ne'er yet saw him frown,—but sure he's dreadful!
Oh! ere I meet those eyes (which yet ne'er viewed me
But their kind language spoke uncounted blessings)
And find them dark with gloom, and dread with lightnings,
Closed be my own in death!—Hark! hark! he comes
In all his terrors, comes to spurn and drive me
For ever from his sight.—His frown will kill me!
Shield me, Estella, shield me!
Alfonso enters, followed by Ricardo and courtiers.
Alfon. [Aside, looking at Amelrosa.] Can it be!
Can she too have deceived—!—Retire awhile.