Re-enter father Bazil, Estella, &c.
Cæsa. Help! Oh! help! The princess dies!
I'll speed myself.——
Amel. [Detaining him.] No, no, thou must not leave me:
My hour of death is near, and thou must see it—
Cæsa. Distraction!
Amel. Must observe, how calm the transit,
How light the pain, how free death's cup from bitter,
When virtue soothes, and hope exalts the soul,
I've seen a sinner die; Last night I closed
Ottilia's lids, and 'twas a night of horror!
Each limb, each nerve was writhed by strange convulsions,
Clenched were her teeth, her eye-balls fixed and glaring;
She foamed, she raved, and her last words were curses!——
But look, Cæsario!—I can die, and smile!
[Sinks into Estella's arms.
Cæsa. [In despair.] My life!—My soul!——
Amel. [In a faint voice.] But while one moment's mine,
By all thy vows of love, by those I breathed,
And never broke through life, never, no, never,
I charge thee, I conjure thee——
[Starting suddenly forward.]
Powers of mercy,
Whence this so glorious blaze?
Cæsa. How her eyes sparkle!
Amel. Look, friends! Look, look!—My mother, my dead mother!
Rich in new youth, and bright in lasting beauty!
She floats in air; her limbs are clothed with light!
Her angel-head is wreathed with Eden's roses!
Heaven's splendours rove amid her golden locks,
While her blest lips and radiant eyes pour round her
Airs of delight and floods of placid glory!
She moves!—She smiles!—She lifts her hand!—She beckons!
World, fare thee well!—Mother, lead on!—I follow!
[Exit with Estella, &c.
Cæsa. [Alone.] My brain! my brain!—Oh! I ne'er knew till now,
How well I loved her!— [Following her.]
Enter Henriquez.
Hen. Turn, Cæsario, turn!
We're lost! Alfonso lives; e'en now his troops
Assail our walls.
Cæsa. Confusion! is all hell
Combined——
Enter Melchior.
Mel. Betrayed, betrayed! The gates are opened;
The townsmen join our foes; I saw the king
First in the fight.——
Cæsa. The king?—My brain is burning;
I'll cool it with his blood.—Forth, forth, my sword:
Forth, nor be sheathed till I return thee dyed
With royal gore—Away!