[]
THE CAPTIVES, A TRAGEDY; As Performed at the THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
By the Author of THE ROYAL SUPPLIANTS.
LONDON: Printed for T. CADELL, in the Strand.
M DCC LXXXVI.
ADVERTISEMENT.
[]THE Captives are at length releaſed from the theatre, where they have been confined for more than three months; and now they hope to find a ſanctuary in the cloſet. It was the inten⯑tion of the author, throughout his piece, to make experiment of a ſtyle and diction, different from what are uſual in modern Tragedy. Over-wrought ornaments, and pompous verſification, he thought, ill ſuited to the manners of thoſe early times, in which the action of his Tragedy is ſuppoſed to have paſſed. In a word, he was of opinion, that the language of ſimplicity would beſt accord with the ſubject and the characters: but whether a plain, intelligible, and unaffected ſtyle, would be acceptable to the public taſte, was what he had ſtill to learn. The experiment has been made; and the author retires with the ſatisfaction of having, at leaſt, intended well.
March 12, 1786.
PROLOGUE,
[v]The Speaker Mr. BANNISTER, jun. in the Character of a diſtreſſed and diſappointed Poet, peeping in at the door, looks round the houſe.
ARE you all ſeated—may I venture in?
Noiſe behind.
Huſh—be quiet—ſtop your unfriendly din—
Whilſt I—with more than common grief oppreſs'd,
A tale unfold—juſt burſting from my breaſt.
Advancing, points to the Pit doors.
But firſt—are both your pit doors ſhut, I pray?
Or noiſe will drown, my ſtrictures on the play,
Noiſe from front boxes opening doors and calling places.
Do you hear—how very hard my caſe is—
Inſtead of bravo, bravo—places—places—
mimicking.
Your ſeat, my Lord, is here—your La'ſhip's there,
Indeed it quite diſtracts both bard and player.
Truce then with your confounded clank of keys,
And tell theſe fair diſturbers of our eaſe,
At church, perhaps, 'tis no ſuch mighty crime,
But here—quite vulgar to be out of time.
Noiſe from front boxes repeated.
Again—why ſure the devil's in the clown,
Do pray Sir Harry knock that fellow down.—
pointing.
And you, ye Gods—it were a dreadful ſhock,
If thrown from thence—a Critic's head is rock.—
the pit.
So keep your centres, and my bus'neſs know;
I am a bard, as theſe my Acts will ſhew.
Pulling out plays from each coat pocket.
But then the managers—aye! there's the curſe
Which makes us patient bear the ſad reverſe,
[vi]To hear, they've ſeveral pieces to peruſe,
And when I call, all anſwer they refuſe?
But ſay, is't fit, that mine be laid aſide,
To gratify their preſent author's pride?
Who comes with nature, and ſuch idle ſtuff,
As pleaſe my friends above there well enough—
the galleries.
When I, more bold and daring, quit all rules,
In the pompous burleſque of Tragedy.
And ſcorn to draw from Claſſics and the Schools;
But bid the dreadful ſurges from a grave,
To ſink the merchant "in the bankrupt wave."
Or when I long for fair Aurora's light,
"I am witch-ridden by the hag of night."
Thus always keep ſublimity in eye,
And ſometimes hand in hand—ſimplicity.
New traps, new paſſages for ever raiſe,
With ſtarts and attitudes to gain your praiſe,
Try every incident of trick and art,
To mend, at once, the drama and the heart.
Such is my ſtyle, and ſuch each nervous line,
Which all my friends who read pronounce divine;
And yet theſe hoſtile doors their barriers keep,
And all my labours—in my pockets ſleep.
Pointing to them.
Revenge my cauſe, aſſert each critic right,
And damn, with me, the author of to-night,
Whoſe play, tho' yet unknown, untried, unſeen,
Has felt in paragraphs an author's ſpleen.
But hark!—I'll tell you a ſecret—'twas I,
Who drew the ſhaft, and forg'd th' envenom'd lie,
To cruſh this ſimple nature which he boaſts,
Drawn from the manners of the northern coaſts;
For ſhould his hope your generous plaudits meet,
I ſhall be found aboard—the Lighter Fleet.
Advances forward and kneels.
Then hear a malefactor in blank verſe,
Nor be led captive, by his Gothick Erſe,
But urge my vengeance, in the cat-call's curſe.
Going ſtops, and looks around the houſe.
[vii]Yet, hold; methinks my words ſeem loſt in air,
And ſmiles of candour for the bard declare;
For here no ſecret influence e'er was known,
But merit triumphs in herſelf alone
As all who know ye, muſt in this agree,
A Britiſh audience ever will be free.
Dramatis Perſonae.
[]MEN.
- CONNAL, Mr. BARRYMORE.
- ERRAGON, Mr. SMITH.
- HIDALLAN, Mr. BENSLEY.
- EVERALLIN, Mr. KEMBLE.
WOMEN.
- MALVINA, Mrs. SIDDONS.
- MINLA, Mrs. KEMBLE.
- VIRGIN, Miſs TIDSWELL.
SCENE, Morven in Caledonia.
THE CAPTIVES.
[9]ACT I.
A Veſtibule. At the End of it a Tomb.
ERRAGON, with a drawn Sword.
ERRAGON.
TURN not, upon thy life! inhuman wretch!
Fate hovers o'er thy head. Another blow,
Thou worſe than ſavage! ſinks thee to the tomb.
—And yet too honourably would'ſt thou fall.
Enter MINLA.
ERRAGON.
Nay, gentle lady, ſtart not; there's no danger.
Self-preſervation drew my vengeance down
On yon relentleſs ruffian; who, in ſcorn
Of hoſpitality's moſt ſacred laws,
Aſſail'd a ſhip-wreck'd ſtranger. My ſword's ſheath'd;
And thou behold'ſt a ſuppliant, who intreats
To know upon what ſhore a ſtorm hath caſt him;
And of whoſe charity he may implore
Mere ſuſtenance for life.
MINLA.
Thy deſperate act
Strikes me with terror, and, didſt thou conceive
[10]Thy danger, thee alike would terrify.
But hard neceſſity, that breaks all bounds,
Extenuates all offence. I mourn thy lot;
And my heart longs to lighten what it mourns.
Know then, poor ſtranger, that this northern part
Of Caledonia, ridged with rocky hills,
Is Morven called; where Connal rules ſupreme
In Selma's royal palace!
ERRAGON.
Connal!
MINLA.
Connal,
Whoſe father's ſepulchre thou there behold'ſt,
The venerable Oſcar.
ERRAGON.
Tell me yet—
MINLA.
Nay riſk no further parley. Whence thou comeſt,
I know not. If from Lochlin, as thy veſt
And helmet ſeem to note; fly hence with ſpeed,
Whilſt flight is in thy power. The ſtorm that wrecked thee,
Is not more mercileſs than Morven's king,
To every wretch from thence. Oh! then be warned.
ERRAGON.
Thanks, gracious lady.—Yet, an outcaſt here,
Roving o'er pathleſs wilds, may hardly hope
The like fair courteſy he finds in thee.
MINLA.
The rivulet, winding round yon ſhrub-clad hill,
Cloſe by a cave, within a rifted rock,
Will lead thy ſteps; whoſe tenant, ſhould'ſt thou mention
The name of Minla, will with food ſupply thee,
And friendly ſhelter, till thou ventur'ſt forth,
In midnight's mantle ſhrouded.
ERRAGON.
[11]For ſuch grace,
Spirits of goodneſs ever be thy guides,
And fortune thy companion!
Exit.
MINLA.
Oh, how ſorely
Miſchance lets fall her hand on this poor ſufferer,
To a wide world expoſed! Well may it fare,
And proſperouſly with thee. Whence that noiſe?
He is beſet. Yon baffled ruffian heads
A lawleſs band; and down the hollow glen
They follow faſt upon him. Hapleſs man!
Thy days, in this inhoſpitable land,
I fear are number'd.—Mine may number more;
But am I therein happier? Ah, Malvina!
I come to mourn thy lot, from him who feels
An intereſt there, too tender for my peace,
Thy Everallin. On me, wretched woman!
Colder of comfort than the north wind blows,
Falls every chilling glance. Yet my heart ſtill
Loves thee, Malvina; and my faithful tongue
Shall his kind meſſage bear.
A Door opening, diſcovers MALVINA kneeling at a Se⯑pulchre. Her VIRGIN advances.
VIRGIN.
What plaintive ſounds
Break on the ſilence of this aweful dome?
Was't Minla's voice I heard?
MINLA.
Led by my love,
I with Malvina came to ſympathize.
VIRGIN.
Lo, where ſhe kneels.
MINLA.
[12]How motionleſs!—ah me!
That burſting groan.
MALVINA.
Hear, venerable Oſcar!
Whom every ſorrowing heart in Selma mourns,
But chiefly thy ſad captive. From the grave
Hear! and thy ſon's licentious paſſion quell,
Which hourly wounds her ſpirit, whom from bondage
Thy gracious goodneſs promiſed to releaſe.
Quell it; or let this marble monument
Unfold, and ſwallow me.
MINLA.
My bleeding heart
Can bear no longer—deareſt lady!
MALVINA.
Minla!
MINLA.
Is't of neceſſity, thy ſoul ſhould heave
Th' eternal ſigh! ah, muſt Malvina live
Interr'd within the tomb?
MALVINA.
This tomb's my altar,
Th' aſylum a dead father lends my virtue,
Againſt a bold bad ſon; the ſole reſource
Of wretchedneſs, which hope itſelf forſakes.
MINLA.
Give to the winds theſe bodings of deſpair.
MALVINA.
Ye towers of Selma! and thou mournful flood,
Strumon! whoſe ſullen waves gloom round the rock,
Oft have you heard my anguiſh; heard me weep,
To the pale midnight moon, th' inteſtine broils,
That from my country drove me on the ſeas;
Where with brute rage, this royal plunderer
[13]Boarded, and ſunk my bark: but not the loſs
Of country; not captivity itſelf;
With its worſt horrors, Connal's hateful paſſion,
Have power to break this heart.
MINLA.
My errand will not,
I fear, bring comfort; kindly as it comes
From the king's brother.
MALVINA.
Generous Everallin?
Oh, how unlike that king? next thee, my Minla,
My beſt ſupport, whoſe conſolation oft
Has quieted this conflict.
MINLA.
Now no words
He ſends of conſolation to Malvina.
Dark doubts inſtead, and diſmal apprehenſions.
Now he forewarns thee to beware the worſt;
For he ſuſpects the worſt. A ſudden call
T' attend the king prevented his approach;
And he intreats thee not to quit this tomb,
Thy ſafeſt ſanctuary.
MALVINA.
What ſanctuary
Is ſafe from ſuch a king? he'll force me hence.
MINLA.
His fears won't ſuffer him. Th' incenſed people,
T' avert th' impending curſe, would headlong hurl
The tyrant from his throne, who dared ſuch outrage
On a ſepulchral monument. Be this
Malvina's comfort.
MALVINA.
For me, there's no comfort.
Ye waves, that bore me towards a friendly port,
[14]Ah, wherefore were you not that hour my grave!
Death I with tranſport would have claſped, to 'ſcape
That monſter's loathed love. Oh, my kind Minla,
If there's a wretch forlorn of every hope,
Who calls on cruel powers of earth and air,
And longs to give up life; tell her my tale,
And ſhe'll forget to weep her lighter lot.
MINLA.
Grief loves to dwell upon the gloomier ſide,
Still darkening each diſtreſs. The king, thou know'ſt,
With awful reverence my ſire reveres,
Th' inſtructor of his youth; and how my ſire
Venerates Malvina's virtues, her own heart
Wants not my teſtimony.
MALVINA.
Good Hidallan!
Might friendſhip's ſage and ſalutary counſel
Afford protection, I were ſafe in thine.
But three long days have paſt without his preſence.
The king perhaps forbids him to approach?
Thee he may next forbid. Oh, ere that hour,
Thou righteous father of an impious ſon,
Spirit of Oſcar! take me.
She retires to the tomb.
MINLA.
Go not back.
To thy own tomb, alas, theſe burſts of woe
Too ſurely will diſpatch thee.
Enter HIDALLAN.
MINLA.
Timely com'ſt thou,
My honoured ſire: ſee where, the live-long day,
Pondering ſhe ſits oe'r the lone ſepulchre.
Muſt her ſad tears for ever, ever flow?
HIDALLAN.
[15]I'm not familiar with the powers of fate,
To ſay how long, but without cauſe, my child,
Th' unhappy mourner weeps not.
MINLA.
The king cannot,
Bold as he is, profane his father's tomb?
HIDALLAN.
Who ſhall reſtrain him? what he will, he can.
And what licentious love may urge his will
To perpetrate, who knows?
MINLA.
But lives there not
(Sure I have heard my father ſay there lives)
A ſpark of fire ethereal in the breaſt,
That makes the ſpirit ſhrink appalled at guilt?
HIDALLAN.
Such fire diffuſed through nature I believe;
But dormant and inactive, it awakes not
At every ſlight rebuke: the blow muſt be
Of force, that ſtrikes it from a hardened heart.
MINLA.
And who ſo fit, with forcible effect,
To ſtrike it, as Hidallan? yes, the duty
Due to his ſage preceptor—
HIDALLAN.
Ah, my Minla,
Little will that avail, his towering paſſions
Bear all before them down with ſovereign ſway,
Diſdainful of controll.
MALVINA returns from the tomb.
MALVINA.
That well-known voice
With ſoothing ſound recalls me from the tomb.
[16]Thy gracious viſit, what may it import?
Oh ſay, what to this houſe of horror draws
The venerable Hidallan!
HIDALLAN.
That ſweet aſpect,
Thoſe gentle graces, lady, which the gales
Of grief ſcarce ruffle; nay thy grief itſelf,
So lovely in the looks of innocence;
Theſe, charming mourner! as they oft have drawn,
Might hither draw me now.—But ah, they do not.
The king—
MALVINA.
My boding boſom!
MINLA.
Speak, oh ſpeak!
MALVINA.
Something, not to be ſpoken, he hath heard.
I would not hear it. Ah, I dare not hear,
What, like the thunderbolt, would ſtrike me dead.
But would it ſtrike me dead? how joyfully
On the dread tidings ſhould I then repoſe,
As on the boſom of an only friend,
My weary ſoul to reſt!
HIDALLAN.
The king, Malvina,
Has order'd my attendance at the tomb.
Something untoward has chanced. The darken'd moon,
'Mongſt meteors of the night, looks not more gloomy,
Than Connal 'mongſt his chiefs. The cauſe I know not;
Nor could he well expreſs. But ſure his breaſt,
Like ocean's, in the laſt night's hurricane,
Is toſt with tumult.
MALVINA.
Ceaſeleſs may it toſs!
Yes, let his guilt, the horror of his guilt,
[17]Become my dread avenger! 'tis the laſh
Of conſcience, from the power within the ſoul.
HIDALLAN.
Yet, lady, liſten. Suddenly he called
A council; then forbade, and then recalled it.
Abruptly from the hall he broke away:
At once returning as abruptly back,
He bade me wait him here. Then, ſtarting, cried,
Malvina ſhall be mine!
MALVINA.
The monſter! his?
Shall I be his, ye miniſtering powers of air!
Who, on your dim clouds riding, ſaw the robber,
In the dread moment I became his captive,
Plunge in my father's breaſt his murd'rous ſword,
And whelm him in the waves?
HIDALLAN.
Unhappy lady!
Ne'er did the tidings of that tragic tale
Reach me till now.
MALVINA.
The tyrant knows it not,
Nor, to this hour, ſuſpects he who I am.
But as thou art too generous, good Hidallan,
To ſhrink from Virtue's ſide, howe'er oppreſſed;
Let not the midnight ruffian twice attempt
To violate my honour. Oh prevent
Our mortal meeting.
HIDALLAN.
He approaches; quell,
If poſſible, this glow of vehemence.
[18] Enter CONNAL.
CONNAL.
Where are thy ſmiles, Malvina? thoſe ſoft ſmiles,
And winning graces, beauty wears, t'allure
The eye of adoration? Sullen fair!
To lift thee to a lucid orb I came,
And make thee the world's gaze. Whence then thoſe glances
Of cold diſdain? Why trembles thy whole frame?
MALVINA.
And wonder'ſt thou that innocence ſhould tremble?
Wonder, that it ſhould look on thee and live:
On thee, whoſe words, like peſtilential vapours.
Strike all that's good and virtuous.
CONNAL.
Proud woman!
Whom a king's courteſy but makes more proud.
This thy return? my chiefs I had informed,
to Hidalla.
Would'ſt thou believe? that ſhe ſhould be my queen.
The feaſt of ſhells is ſpread; and thro' the hall,
To the ſweet voice of fair Malvina's praiſe,
A hundred harps are heard. I meant, Hidallan,
Spite of revolting royalty, I meant,
This evening ſun ſhould ſee me wed my ſlave.
MALVINA.
Let, let it not behold th' unſeemly ſight.
Not ſee your royalty abaſed ſo low.
No; for ſome nobler head reſerve your crown;
Some nobler heart.—
CONNAL.
Preſumptuous!
MALVINA.
Scorn, reject me.
[19]I aſk no honours; I no peace can feel,
Till far from Morvan—
CONNAL.
And from Morvan far,
Back to thy native nothing ſhould'ſt thou go;
But that my pride forbids. In thy own ſpite,
Thou ſhalt be mine. Prepare the nuptial rites.
MALVINA.
If ever pity touched thee—
CONNAL.
Am I heard?
MALVINA.
The loſs of liberty, the drops of anguiſh,
Wrung from a bleeding heart, I pardon thee.
He heeds me not, inhuman!—Then to thee,
Spirit of Loda! my ſole guardian now,
Burſts my ſad ſoul: if at thy ſtone of power,
I've bent with reverent awe; in clouded thunder,
Riſe, terrible ſhade! and from the monſter's graſp,
Save, ſave thy Erragon's diſtracted wife!
CONNAL.
The wife of Erragon? recall thy words.
MALVINA.
Impoſſible. Here, here, they're regiſtered;
Never to be erazed.
CONNAL.
The prince of Sora!
My mortal foe! from whence? what country com'ſt thou?
MALVINA.
From Iniſtone.
CONNAL.
Confuſion! art thou then
Daughter of that proud chief, who rules the iſle,
[20]Morla? who leagues with Sora's haughty prince,
Againſt my kingdom?
MALVINA.
Morla was my father;
Who died, Barbarian! by the bloody ſword
That made me captive.
CONNAL.
Said'ſt thou? did he bow
His haughty creſt to me! thy Erragon,
Had he been there, had ſhrunk too; but his pride
Shall feel a different downfall.
MINLA.
Ah, ſhe faints,
Beneath the conflict.
Enter an Officer.
OFFICER.
Royal Sir, the veſſel,
Driven on the ſands, laſt night, from Locklin comes.
Moſt, who the ſtorm eſcaped, are priſoners made.
CONNAL.
To death with every one. Yes, let them fall
A ſacrifice for all the blood they've drawn
From Caledonia's ſons.
Exit Officer.
MINLA.
Oh quickly ſummon
Thy utmoſt powers; for thou need'ſt all, Malvina,
At this diſtreſsful hour.
CONNAL.
Mark me, Hidallan:
Moſt heedfully, before the waning moon
Darkens behind Carthmona's tower, give notice
That every rite is done. I've ſpoke; diſpatch.
Exit Hid.
[21]Meantime do thou with ſmiles of love, proud woman,
Prepare thee for the nuptials.
Exit CONNAL.
MALVINA.
Heard'ſt thou that?
With ſmiles of love prepare me for his nuptials;
Diſeaſes rather let me wed; and love
The terribleſt diſtreſs.
MINLA.
My anxious ſpirits,
That vainly would lend comfort, dread the worſt.
Wretches like him go on from guilt to guilt,
Till ſcornful malice laughs at at all remorſe.
MALVINA.
Minla, their laugh's a lie; they're cowards here—
Inward miſgivings gnaw the ulcer'd heart.
Theſe are the fiends that, in diſtracted ſlumbers,
At midnight haunt the man of murder. Theſe
Th' infernal torches flaring in his face.
Prepare me for his nuptials? No; I've ſworn.
MINLA.
He knows his power oppoſeleſs.
MALVINA.
Dreams he ſo?
Yet woes wrought up to this ſtupendous height
May chance to make him ſhrink.
MINLA.
That fearful ſmile
The tumult of a tortured ſpirit ſpeaks.
Like the red flame of lightning, that unfolds
The troubled breaſt of heaven.
MALVINA.
Faſt as thy love
Will ſpeed thee, my kind Minla, to his brother
Haſte, and intreat his preſence.
MINLA.
[22]Everallin's?
MALVINA.
Inſtantly, at his father's ſepulchre.
MINLA.
Yes; I obey your bidding.
Exit.
MALVINA.
Yet, alas!
How ineffectual every human aid!
The foreign veſſel, driven laſt night on ſhore,
Gave me ſome glimmering hope of an eſcape;
But Erin brings no tidings of its fate,
Or deſtination.—Mine comes on apace.
My marriage now is known. This dire extreme
Alone could pluck the ſecret from my breaſt;
For, like the grave, the tyrant hates my lord.
Yet am I ſtill his wife, living or dead.
But my heart bodes; unable to ſurvive
His country's loſs; and oh, the loſs of me;
He followed my poor father; and now lies
Buried, alas! within the billowy deep,
Unſeen, unknown. No bard ſhall chant his fate;
No moſſy ſtone ſhall riſe in his renown.
Oh, miſerable thought! Muſt I then live
Of both bereft? Huſband and father both!
This tyrant, deareſt Erragon! ſhall he
Wed thy loved wife? my father's murderer
Pollute his daughter's bed! No, bleſſed ſhades!
But how prevent?—has poiſon loſt its power?
Or yon ſteep crag, that headlong overhangs
Th' unſathom'd flood.
Enter ERIN.
MALVINA.
Oh, Erin, art thou come?
[23]Haſt thou enquired the ſtate of thoſe poor wretches
Caſt on the ſhore? their veſſel, will it again
Venture upon its voyage?
ERIN.
'Tis daſhed in pieces.
MALVINA.
Then farewel every hope of an eſcape!
Oh, I'm the ſport of fortune!
ERIN.
All the crew,
Ill fated men, are priſoners. He who found
Shelter in yonder cave, beſide the cliff,
Within this hour was ſeiz'd; and muſt abide
The lot of all from Lochlin.
MALVINA.
Lochlin! came
The ſhip from Lochlin! What's the priſoner's name?
ERIN.
His name I could not learn—their chief, no doubt,
For gallantly 'gainſt numbers did he fight.
Of ſome note too and rank; for 'mid th' encounter,
Struck from his head, a burniſh'd helmet fell,
Studded with four large gems; and, bold in front,
Towers a young eagle in embroidered gold.
MALVINA.
Fly—fetch it—kneel, intreat them for a moment
To truſt it hither.
Exit ERIN.
Should it prove my gift!
My ſoul dies in my boſom at the thought!
Juſt ſuch a helmet, with an eagle's form,
Broidered in gold, the work of my own hands,
Bright emblem of himſelf! when he went forth
To deal his vengeance on the rebel hoſts,
I gave to Erragon; my beſt beloved!
Should it prove that!—Oh, this ſuſpence is death!
[24]Yonder's the cave. Fate drives me on. I'll ſee it,
Though the dread ſight ſhould turn me into ſtone.
Exit.
End of the Firſt ACT.
ACT II.
SCENE continues.
ERIN and VIRGIN.
ERIN.
MALVINA not returned! Oh, that theſe lips
In ſilence had been ſealed, when I firſt mentioned
The ſhipwrecked ſtranger!
VIRGIN.
The moſt prudent cannot
Guard againſt all miſchance.
ERIN.
The clifted cave
Scarce had I reach'd, when ſhe, with breathleſs haſte
Before me ruſhed. At once ſhe ſaw, ſhe ſeized
The helmet and the ſword: the ſight whereof
Struck like a baſiliſk her ſtarting eye.
But when ſhe heard the ſtranger was born off
To ſuffer with the victims; oh, what words
[25]Have power to paint the agony, the frenzy,
With which ſhe bounded after him!
VIRGIN.
On the inſtant,
You ſhould have followed, ſhould have forced her back
From that inhuman ſcene—but Minla comes.
We muſt not now be queſtioned of Malvina.
Exeunt.
Enter MINLA.
MINLA.
The prince approaches; and my fluttering heart
Bounds, but not with delight! Oh, jealouſy!
That with one glance turn'ſt friendſhip to a thread
Touched by a flaming brand; hence from my breaſt.
It will not hence; and all Malvina's charms
Dart their envenomed ſtings into my ſoul.
She's the bright ſtar that darkens my dim light.
Yet, yet, ſhe cannot Everallin wed,
Her Erragon alive—ſhould he be dead?
I'll enter, to avoid the horrid thought;
And be the harbinger of my own fate.
Exit.
Enter EVERALLIN.
EVERALLIN.
Whence this tumultuous glow as I advance?
A ſepulchre ſhould gloomier thoughts inſpire;
Thoughts cold and comfortleſs. Divine Malvina!
Thy ſummons, thy dear ſummons, is the charm
That fires th' exulting ſoul of Everallin.
Who would not woo ſuch gentle vaſſalage?
Lighter than liberty are love's ſoft links,
That faſten ſoul to ſoul. And then ſo pure,
So perfect is her life, that every mortal
Goes mended from her preſence.
[26]MINLA enters.
EVERALLIN.
Wherefore trembles
Minla with ſuch emotion? where's Malvina?
MINLA.
Ah, where indeed! The mountain-cave I've ſearch'd▪
And where the ſea-fowl make their lonely haunt,
Cloſe by the lake. Malvina is not there.
No one is there to ſay which way ſhe went,
Or who hath forced her hence.
EVERALLIN.
Thou tortureſt me!
MINLA.
My lord?
EVERALLIN.
Thy every word is here a ſword.
Whither could ſhe betake her, hapleſs woman!
Unfriended and unguarded, her own fears
Would at the tomb confine her. Should the king
With deſperate hand have hurried her away?
But no; each guardian ſpirit would interpoſe.
Minla, no earthly thing was half ſo good,
Was half ſo lovely. Senſible, like thee,
To every charm; my heart, like thine, was lodged
Within her beauteous boſom. Something here
Impels me onward.—Gentle maid, once more
Wilt thou with me renew thy ſorrowing ſearch?
Exeunt.
Enter CONNAL, followed by Bards and Officers.
CONNAL.
Attend the reverend train at our command?
OFFICER.
A band, ſelected by their white-haired chief,
In ſlow ſolemnity, with lute and lyre,
Obey your royal bidding. Lo, they come.
CONNAL.
[27]Oh, ſhameful weakneſs! oh, indignity!
But 'tis a curſe that baffles all my powers.
Spite of myſelf, this effort I muſt make;
The only one untried.—Approach the tomb,
Sons of the ſong. Carril, and thou ſweet bard,
Melodious Ullin, ſtrike, ſymphonious ſtrike
The lyre of love; and ſad Malvina's ſpirit
Sooth, as ye may, with muſic's melting notes.
ODE.
I.
Sweet tenant of the tomb!
Who, on thy ſnow-white arm reclined,
Sit'ſt heark'ning! to the hollow wind;
Ah why, in youth's gay bloom,
Shroud that fair form, which might diſplay
New graces to the golden day,
In this ſepulchral gloom!
II.
Muſic's enchanting lyre,
Of power t' unbind the midnight ſpell;
Or ſouls in ſavages that dwell
To melt with ſoft deſire,
She heeds not. From your cloud above,
Burſt then, ſome ſpirit, who died of love,
And flaſh th' all-quick'ning fire.
III.
Oh, flaſh it through the gloom
Of her chill boſom. Let her feel
The wound her ſmiles alone can heal;
Then warm in youth's gay bloom,
With fluttering heart, and melting eye,
To light, and love, and Connal fly,
Sweet tenant of the tomb.
CONNAL.
[28]Enough, you may retire.
Exeunt Bards.
I'll enter now,
An try th' effect that harmony has wrought
On her fantaſtic mind.
Enter EVERALLIN and MINLA.
EVERALLIN.
Too true indeed,
Minla, thy tidings prove. All ſearch is vain.
She's gone, and with her Everallin's peace.
CONNAL.
What means he here?
EVERALLIN.
Connal! if thou haſt dared
To violate our father's ſepulchre,
And force Malvina from it; thy own life
Cannot atone the crime.
CONNAL.
What frenzy's this?
Hither I came to meet her.
MINLA.
Oh, ſhe's gone!
CONNAL.
Gone whither? is it thy conſpiracy?
Or thine, preſumptuous youth? who lov'ſt to croſs
Thy ſovereign; and ſhalt feel the vengeance due
To ſuch raſh inſolence.
MINLA.
Blameleſs, alas!
And ignorant of this unhappy chance,
Stand both of us.—Hero, at her own requeſt,
I left her, with dread doubts accompanied.
Fears and alarms, that with tumultuous rage
Shook her diſtracted mind.
EVERALLIN.
[29]And who ſhall ſay,
Whither they might tranſport her? o'er the wild
And deſart heath; or down yon deſperate rock,
Into the roaring waves?
CONNAL.
Thy boding ſpirit
Imaginary terrors conjures up:
Far off ſhe cannot be. Round let them ſearch,
Caverns and mountain-ſtreams.
MINLA.
Where-ever found,
I fear ſome dire diſaſter. Her high mind
Into th' extreme was hurried.
Enter HIDALLAN.
MINLA.
Ah, that look
Of conſternation, what may it portend?
HIDALLAN.
A tale of horror! Miserable Malvina,
So late the general wonder, is become
The melancholy ruin of herſelf;
Her reaſoning powers quite loſt.
EVERALLIN.
Diſtracting ſounds!
CONNAL.
Unfold at once, old man.
HIDALLAN.
Still doth ſhe ſtand
Before my frighted fancy. I ſtill ſee her,
As the laſt victim bled beneath the ſword,
Ruſh on the altar. Starting from her head,
Streamed her looſe hair; and round ſhe caſt her eyes
With frantic glare—Where is he? Lead, ſhe cried,
Lead me to Erragon! my life, my lord,
[30]My murder'd Erragon! then ſtruck her breaſt,
And down with anguiſh dropt. To her apartment
They raiſed, and bore her off.
EVERALLIN.
Again, behold her,
Pale, and in wild diſorder.
Enter MALVINA, with Virgins.
MALVINA.
Whither, whither
Drive theſe conflicting tranſports?—
—Hence! avaunt!
Seeing CONNAL.
Hills, hide me from the ſight! lo, where he ſtands,
Monſter of human kind! how baſe, how bloody!
No feature of a king is in that face!
Murder uſurps the place of majeſty!
CONNAL.
Words ſuch as theſe, what mortal but Malvina
Dares ſpeak!
MALVINA.
Bid night in tenfold darkneſs ſhroud thee,
Thou'ſt done a deed to make the fiends rejoice;
Killed every virtue that mankind reveres.
Meet me no more! or, if we needs muſt meet,
Come with that ſword which murdered Erragon,
And with it murder me.
Exit.
HIDALLAN.
Haſte, follow, Minla;
And try with every lenient art to calm
Her troubled ſpirit.
MINLA.
Some good power aſſiſt me.
Exit, with Virgins.
CONNAL.
What thus could ſhatter her diſorder'd mind?
EVERALLIN.
[31]The horror of her nuptials.
CONNAL.
Horror!
EVERRALLIN.
Horror.
Her ſoul, too ſenſible to bear the ſhock,
Took refuge in diſtraction.
CONNAL.
Strange conjectures
Wake here, at every word. Thy ſecret motives
I know not; would not gueſs. But ſuch alarms—
Say, wherefore do thy conſcious eyes meet mine,
As guilt lurked in them? guilt doth in them lurk—
Thou art confederate with her—the vile maſk
Of counterfeited madneſs is thy plot;
And each ſuſpicious ſymptom—
EVERALLIN.
If a life
Of friendly freedom, and fraternal love
Unſullied, thy ſuſpicion will not check,
My ſoul ſcorns further proof.
HIDALLAN.
Forbear, forbear.
EVERALLIN.
Forbearance urge to him, who would provoke
Patience itſelf paſt ſufferance.
HIDALLAN.
Such contention
'Tween brothers, who by Nature's tend'reſt ties
Of love ſhould be united, oh, it pulls
Here at my very heart-ſtrings.—Be yourſelves.
Be brothers.—Far, far off let royal Connal
[32]Baniſh ſuſpicion of a virtuous prince,
Whoſe friendſhip ne'er can fail him.
CONNAL.
The guilt's her's then,
Her's the vile artifice?
EVRALLIN.
Vile artifice!
Recall the inhuman taunt. Oh, never, never
Could art ſo nearly nature counterfeit;
Never in ſuch an agony of paſſion
Call forth th' affrighted ſoul; and ſo unfold
The ſhatter'd powers of reaſon.
CONNAL.
The laſt hour,
Her huſband lived a bar to other nuptials.
That huſband now is dead, by my command—
Oh, I were mad as ſhe affects to be,
Not to diſcern it.
EVRALLIN.
That her fears are falſe
As an unreal viſion, I not doubt.
Your hands are guiltleſs of her huſband's blood.
Yet what ſhe wildly raves, her heart believes.
Your pity then ſhe merits, not your wrath.
Her nuptials cauſed the frenzy.
CONNAL.
Still preſume▪
Thy arrogance? be gone.
EVRALLIN.
Yet ſhalt thou hear.
Honor, though baniſhed from the world beſide,
Still in the hearts of princes ſhould have place.
And this unkingly, this unfilial breach
[33]Of a dead father's promiſe makes me ſhrink,
In preſence of that tomb.—The majeſty
Of buried Morven frowns before my view.
His hollow voice groans forth Malvina's name.
I feel the awful ſound. Here, like a ſpirit,
It ſwells within my breaſt; like Oſcar's Spirit;
Which, while the memory of his promiſe lives,
Spite of a brother's, or a tyrant's threat,
Shall prove me Oſcar's ſon.
Exit.
CONNAL.
Upon thy life,
No more behold Malvina.—Curſe upon
This womaniſh folly! What! the more her pride
Should damp love's flame, the fiercer ſhall it blaze?
Where are thy arts to exorciſe this fiend?
to Hidallan.
To dim thoſe eyes, whoſe quick'ning fires might ſtrike
A genial ſpring through winter's frozen breaſt;
Hidallan, every word from thoſe dear lips
Raps me above myſelf; and one kind ſmile
Would make my life immortal.
HIDALLAN.
Ah, beware
Theſe ſudden tranſports of intemperate paſſion!
They're flaſhes from black clouds; and the more fierce
Th' effulgence that burſts from them, the more fearful
The diſmal gloom that follows. Would you hope
To bring back peace of mind? releaſe Malvina.
She never will be yours.
CONNAL.
She ſhall be mine.
Therefore deviſe ſome inſtant means—about it,
—There's not a look or voice, but thwarts my will.
Better rule o'er the eagle [...] of the cliff;
Or wolves that ravage 'mong the foreſt-oaks,
[34]Wild nature's commoners, than be ſuch a king.—
Well; haſt thou yet bethought thee?
HIDALLAN.
Every thought
Confirms my former counſel. Human laws,
And laws within the ſoul, with one dread voice.
Bid you releaſe Malvina.
CONNAL.
O'er my youth
A careleſs temper gives thee an aſcendant,
And thou preſum'ſt upon it. Hence to this woman,
Who liſtens to thy voice; and back return
With welcome tidings.—Go, without reply.
Ex. Hidal.
This ſage preceptor henceforth ſhall become
A ſtranger here. He is too cold and cautious.
I will proceed alone.—But how proceed,
In this dark labyrinth!
Enter an Officer.
OFFICER.
The man, dread ſir,
Wrecked in the laſt night's ſtorm, who ſcaped our ſearch,
We have ſurprized within the clifted cave;
Their chief from Lochlin. Muſt he ſhare the fate
His followers have endured?
CONNAL.
A moment's pauſe.
—Moſt opportunely comes he, and full oft
Thus doth it chance; that Fortune, in her mood,
Strikes out, what labouring Art in vain eſſays.
Bring him; and bid Hidallan here attend,
Before he ſees Malvina.—It muſt prove
Exit Officer.
Effectual, and it ſhall. In her delirium,
[35]She raves on her lord's death; and I ſtand forth,
Marked for the man of murder. On the inſtant,
I will th' advantage ſeize. This priſoner here,
Their chief, at once ſhall humour and remove
The fond illuſion. He on oath ſhall vouch,
That 'mid the ſhock of their inteſtine broils,
The prince expired beneath a ruffian's ſword.
To ſave his forfeit life, this ſhall he vouch;
Say, he beheld him fall. It may reſtore
Her wandering powers; evince my innocence;
Aye, and (ſo mutable is woman's will)
Convert her wayward paſſions to my purpoſe.
Enter ERRAGON and Officer.
CONNAL.
Thou comeſt from Lochlin?
ERRAGON.
Yes.
CONNAL.
And know'ſt the fate,
Thy followers here have found, prepared for thee?
ERRAGON.
Thy ſavage thirſt for human blood I know.
CONNAL.
Art thou ſo bold! thy blood indeed is forfeit;
But yet the power of life, as well as death,
Reſts in our hands. It may be, there are means,
By which thou may'ſt eſcape an imminent death.
Mark then my words. The prince of Sora—
ERRAGON.
Hah!
CONNAL.
Know'ſt thou the prince of Sora?
ERROGAN.
[36]Know him?
CONNAL.
Know'ſt thou
Prince Erragon?
ERRAGON.
If I ſhould ſay I did,
Were it a crime?
CONNAL.
Perhaps it were a crime.
He's hateful to my heart; and were he placed
Within my compaſs, he ſhould feel my hate.
But to my purpoſe. 'Tis our royal will,
The ſtripling's death in Selma be believed.
Wilt thou, young ſtranger, to preſerve thy life,
Confirm the death of Erragon on oath?
ERRAGON.
I ſcorn it.
CONNAL.
Say'ſt thou!
ERRAGON.
Upon ſuch baſe terms,
My ſoul diſdains it. The atrocious wretch,
Who, to preſerve a poor precarious life,
Dares violate an oath's dread ſanctity,
Should die for ever.
CONNAL.
Thou haſt lived too long.
Hence with him.
Exit Erragon, guarded.
'Tis the malice of my fate.
All, all conſpires againſt me. Elſe this priſoner,
Whom my leaſt breath could quell, would he thus dare
Death ſtaring in his face?
[37] Enter HIDALLAN.
CONNAL.
At what a moment
Comeſt thou to pry upon me? while my cheek
Glows with indignant bluſhes. Oh Hidallan,
This ſpirit, this proud ſpirit of a king,
Is weaker than a woman's. Every hour
Sees me ſtill more a ſlave; freſh trials brings,
To aggravate my ſufferings.
HIDALLAN.
Rouze, dread ſir.
At one bold effort gain the nobleſt conqueſt,
A triumph o'er yourſelf. And oh believe,
The ſacred ſorrow of repentant ſighs
Its own relief bears with it.
CONNAL.
Yon vile captive
From Lochlin; with the offer of his life
I would have bribed him to avouch the death
Of Erragon, on oath, in Sora's broils.
The deſperate wretch diſdain'd it. Go thou to him;
To yon dark tower, above Carthmona's bay,
My beſt Hidallan, go. His ſtubborn ſpirit
With every plauſive artifice eſſay.
Should he refuſe: one only courſe remains.
Should he aſſent; thy daughter may prepare
Malvina for the tidings. Speed away.
If not by fraud, by force ſhe ſhall be mine.
Exit.
HIDALLAN.
I muſt obey. Oh miſerable fate
Of favorites! dependence abſolute,
In its beſt form, is ſplendid ſlavery,
[38]Cramped with the galling weight of gilded chains.
I muſt obey. For ſooner to heaven's thunder,
Than to this king's wild rage, could I bid peace.
Spirits of goodneſs, then, with pity judge,
If ſinning, the leaſt ſinful means I chuſe
Malvina to relieve!—
Enter MINLA.
MINLA.
With heart o'erflowing,
Thy daughter comes t' implore thy guardian aid,
For her unhappy friend. But my fears tell me,
Something too ſtrongly ſhakes Hidallan's breaſt
For counſel now, or comfortable words.
HIDALLAN.
Minla, thy more than friendly warmth of ſoul,
Thy paſſion for Malvina I well know.
MINLA.
What means my father? let me ſhare the grief,
That ſtruggles thus for vent. What cruel dart
Has fortune now to throw at poor Malvina?
Connal has murdered her dear Erragon.
The tyrant cannot bid him bleed again,
A ſecond ſacrifice.
HIDALLAN.
The prince of Sora,
Whoſe fate, my child, at Selma, thou deploreſt,
I muſt unfold myſelf. There is a man,
From Lochlin newly come. With all thy powers
Prepare Malvina to receive that man.
The harbinger he is of her lord's death,
By a ſlave's hand, in Sora's civil broils.
Thou trembleſt; and thy eager ſpirits ſtart
Into thine eyes, as they would ſearch my ſoul.
[39]Minla, 'tis filled with anguiſh and deſpair.
A chaos of diſtraction! to appal
Minds caſt within a rougher mould than thine.
Yet muſt thou take one fearful glance.—This way
Leads to his priſon. As we paſs along,
By the blue waves of Lotha's ſounding ſtream,
Thy father's trembling tongue, faſt as it may,
Shall tell thee—Oh, unfortunate old man!
Exeunt.
End of the SECOND ACT.
ACT III.
[40]SCENE, A Tower.
ERRAGON alone.
ERRAGON.
A glorious opportunity once loſt,
Fate ſeldom will reſtore. Amidſt his guards,
With his own ſword, I ſhould have ſtabb'd the tyrant,
Then fallen a noble victim of revenge.
'Tis paſt; and Erragon's his priſoner.
To what infernal purpoſe would he turn
My rumour'd death?—It is not worth a thought.
Malvina gone, let him poſſeſs a world,
That holds no joy for me. Ah, beſt-beloved!
Where are our former ſweet deluſions fled?
My glittering ſpires, and airy caſtles ſink:
And I am left upon a lonely ſhore,
To find my weary way to death's dark houſe.
Here let me ponder then; where nought is heard,
But ſea-fowl, ſcreaming to the torrent's roar,
Till comes the deſtin'd hour.
Enter HIDALLAN.
HIDALLAN.
Sullen and ſad,
Lo, where he ſtands, And now I'll execute
[41]This king's injunction. But, for the world's wealth,
Not urge the unhappy wretch to a falſe oath.
ERRAGON.
Thou com'ſt fate's harbinger? Lead on; I follow.
HIDALLAN.
Stranger, commanded by the king I come,
With offer'd terms, that may prevent thy fate.
Swear to the death of Erragon, and live.
ERRAGON.
The king has heard my peremptory word.
But wherefore? to what purpoſe would he urge
So infamous a falſehood?
HIDALLAN.
To thee ſurely
Little imports the purpoſe; ſo thy life
Becomes the recompence. His happineſs
Depends upon it. The happineſs perhaps
Of one, whom dearer than his life he loves;
The beautiful Malvina.
ERRAGON.
What Malvina?
—My heart miſgives.
HIDALLAN.
The wife of Erragon;
Whom he made priſoner; and at once became
The captive of her charms.
ERRAGON.
Spirit of Loda!
—Made priſoner? within his palace lives ſhe,
Immured? devoted to his lawleſs will?
Thou haſt beheld her? miſerable woman!
Him too, the luſtful tyrant, thou'ſt beheld?
Feels his flagitious ſoul no viſitings
Of horror, of compunction?
HIDALLAN.
Whence theſe ſtarts?
ERRAGON.
[42]Thy reverend age is ſhocked. Thy cheeks turn pale.
Thy heart ſheds fellow-drops of blood with mine.
Thy virtue will ſave her's.
HIDALLAN.
Perhaps he means
To wed her?
ERRAGON.
Wed her? Erragon alive!
And will not every huſband's vengeful ſword
Down to the howling ghoſts th' adulterer plunge?
HIDALLAN.
Thy words burſt wildly forth. Theſe violent tranſports
Have more than common cauſe?—who art thou?—
Enter an Officer.
OFFICER.
Connal
Demands an inſtant anſwer from Hidallan.
Wherefore, I know not; but his mind's emotion
Gives cauſe of apprehenſion.
ERRAGON.
Huſh, my heart!
HIDALLAN.
Speak thy reſolve at once.
ERRAGON.
My deſtiny,
My deſtiny drives on! I muſt behold her.
HIDALLAN.
Wilt thou, in preſence of Malvina, ſwear
That Erragon is dead?
ERRAGON.
Lead to Malvina!
Exeunt.
[43] SCENE, MALVINA's Apartment. A ſword and helmet on a table.
MALVINA and VIRGIN.
MALVINA.
The ſanctuary! what's ſanctuary to me!
I'll no more thither. To the ſteep rock lead,
That frowns on that black flood. There, ſafe from Connal.
Deep in the watery world my ghoſt may reſt.
VIRGIN.
Still, ſtill would I fain hope.
MALVINA.
Turn thine eyes there!
Seeſt thou that ſword? oh, death to every hope!
That helmet?—it once graced my warrior's brow!
Where is he now?—And ſhall Malvina hope?
Leave, leave me to deſpair!
Exit Virgin.
Enter MINLA.
MALVINA.
That ſtifled groan,
Minla, without a word, proclaims the worſt!
MINLA.
Too ſuddenly I would not wound thy ear,
With what, however ſlow, muſt come too ſoon.
The worſt, alas, has chanced!
MALVINA.
He's dead?—I ſee
The fate of Erragon in that pale glare!
My huſband's murdered?—here I feel the wound,
Deep in my brain! it maddens! to behold
[44]His poor, wan phantom! lo, it paſſes on!
And ſhakes its ſhadowy ſword; and half uplifts
The helmet from its brow, purpled with blood!
MINLA.
Thy fancy forms vain fears. He's gone—
MALVINA.
I know it;
For ever gone; where ſpirits of paſt times,
Warriors and kings, his high-born anceſtors,
Meet, and all-hail their hero. While Malvina,
His miſerable Malvina!—lead me to him!
My eyes would gaze o'er every gaping wound;
My heart expire upon his breathleſs breaſt!
MINLA.
Ah, all at random drives thy mind, dear lady.
He died at Sora in the civil broils.
So ſpeaks the harbinger, who ſaw him dead.
Who ſaw; and oh, my boſom more than bodes;
Who did the murd'rous deed.—Your eyes are ſixt?
No words give utterance to your burſting heart!
MALVINA.
No words ſhould utterance give, if it would burſt.
But ah, it will not, Minla! in thy boſom
Let me ſuppreſs the reſt; thy friendly boſom,
That anſwers ſigh for ſigh. Say, has the villain,
Struck with remorſe and horror, own'd the crime!
For apprehenſive conſcience brings to light
Murders, that ſecret night had curtain'd cloſe.
Faſt as thy love can ſpeak, unfold the tale
Hidallan tells; for he has told thee all.
MINLA.
No, not in words directly told me all.
Yet, forcibly as words have power to vouch,
His whole behaviour warranted.—He ſpoke
[45]In ſuch ſtrange ſtarts of paſſion; with a voice
So broken; with ſuch caution; couched in words
Of ſuch alarming import—ah, Malvina!
This harbinger's the horrid murderer,
Sent by the ſavage Connal.
MALVINA.
Thy ſuſpicions,
Minla, ſtrike out a fearful flaſh of light,
That naked lays the heart of this black fiend.
Moſt mortal was his hate to Erragon.
MINLA.
Which he, by this inſidious villain's hand,
So fatally has wreaked.
MALVINA.
If it be ſo—
But then this ſword and helmet found i'th' cave!
MINLA.
The murderer's trophies, dropt in the affray;
Which ſtronger makes the charge. But oh! my father,
(Were more proof wanting), when he ſent me hither,
To warn, and to prepare thee for th' event,
Gave the dread tidings, by that ſole injunction,
An oath's full warranty.
MALVINA.
More horribly,
Each moment, glares the truth. And will no bolt,
Down to the centre, the aſſaſſin hurl!
Enter VIRGIN.
VIRGIN.
A ſtranger, juſt arrived from Locklin, lady,
Intreats an interview.
MALVINA.
[46]Minla, 'tis he!
His tongue would tell the tidings of that murder,
Which his hands perpetrated.—Hence, hence with him!
Let the wild ocean's waves between us roll!
More dreadful than the glare of midnight-ghoſt,
His preſence would appal me! ſtop, forbid
His fatal entrance.
MINLA.
Vain were the attempt.
Commiſſioned by the king, th' aſſaſſin comes;
Whoſe force defies reſiſtance. He muſt enter.
MALVINA.
Inhuman! would'ſt thou have my eyes meet his;
Behold the barbarous hand that did the deed,
Red with my huſband's blood? firſt ſhall his ſword—
His ſword? Yet, yet a moment's pauſe.
MINLA.
Some anſwer
Muſt be diſpatched.
MALVINA.
His ſword!—ah, whither drives
The tranſport of that thought?—I'll ſee th' aſſaſſin,
Confront him; ſearch his ſecret ſoul; and then—
I am wrought up! go, Minla; give him entrance.
Now for a deed of dreadful juſtice! love
Exit Minla.
Marſhals me on! vengeance and love! hark, hark!
'Tis Minla. She comes forth. She points towards me,
And with her the aſſaſſin! ſee, ſhe leaves him;
And this way doth he move. Why ſhrinks my heart!
Muffled he comes, like murder! now, dear ſhade!
Ghoſt of my martyr'd lord! behold thy wife,
Beyond the weakneſs of a woman dare,
And give thee blood for blood!
[47] Enter ERRAGON.
ERRAGON.
Be ſtill, my ſoul—
MALVINA.
Infernal monſter!—
offering to ſtab him, ſhe ſtarts back.
—Ah! ſupport me! ſave me!
Tremendous power of Loda!—if thou comeſt
to Erragon.
The ſpirit of my huſband, from the tomb—
ERRAGON.
I am thy husband. Be compoſed, my love;
Thy Erragon.
MALVINA.
My Erragon! earth open;
And hide me from his ſight!
ERRAGON.
Down, dreadful thoughts!
That make my blood run chill. While I have power
To hear thee, oh, unfold the cauſe. Thou ſpeak'ſt not!
Thy pale lips tremble! let thy huſband's arms
Warm thee to life and love.
MALVINA.
Not till thus humbled,
I have implored forgiveneſs for th' attempt
Gainſt thy dear life, and called the ſpirits of earth,
And air to witneſs, that I thought thee dead;
Murder'd, alas! and at thy murderer aim'd,
Miſtaking, the raſh ſword.
ERRAGON.
From lips like thoſe,
Breathing ſincerity; and truth, and love.
[48]Wants there another word to win conviction?
No, I at once behold the tyrant's hand,
Work darkly on to his infernal purpoſe,
Marriage with thee. But never would Malvina
Wed ſuch a wretch, whom every human heart
Muſt ſhudder at with horror?
MALVINA.
Wed him! oh
Lived there no man but he; to ſhun his arms,
Fearleſs I'd plunge myſelf from the ſteep rock,
To the wild ocean's monſters.
ERRAGON.
Stop thy tears.
They find the way into thy huſband's heart,
The well-known way, Malvina.
MALVINA.
Such a tale
I could unfold to thee. But let it die.
Believe me, oh believe! Malvina hates him
Worſe than the midnight-fiend; and thee enſhrines
Here in her ſoul, with every gracious act
Thy love's dear monuments,
ERRAGON.
I do believe;
Thy anxious ſpirit, ſtarting from thy eyes,
Proclaims the truth. In this embrace, my love,
Be all forgotten.
MALVINA.
Still in dark diſorder
A thouſand queſtions croſs upon my mind.
Scarce can I aſk thee, how thou hither cam'ſt,
Scarce, ſcarce believe thee here.
ERRAGON.
[49]Since our ſad parting,
Fortune I've met in all her ireful moods,
In my long ſorrowing ſearch of thee, Malvina;
Till laſt night's tempeſt caſt me on this coaſt,
Where all our woes will end. From Connal now,
Of my own death to tell thee I am come.
MALVINA.
Oh deſtiny! thy dealings ſtill I dread.
Paſt perils gallantly o'er earth and ſeas,
Thou haſt ſuſtained, like ſome good ſpirit of light.
So my love whiſpers. But my fears, the while,
My ominous fears forebode thou haſt ſuſtained them,
Only to find fate here. Thus while with hope
Thy unſuſpicious heart exulting bounds,
Gleams fearfully behind thee a drawn ſword.
Flight, only flight, can ſave thee. Then be gone,
Though the dread word is death to thy Malvina,
Be gone, my deareſt huſband.
ERRAGON.
And leave thee?
Thy unprotected virtue leave expoſed
To the dark wiles of this inſidious king?
MALVINA.
Full of diſtruſt are guilty minds, like his.
And thine, alas, too open: on the leaſt,
Slighteſt ſuſpicion, Erragon, thou dieſt.
Then may thy wife indeed the tyrant wed.
But no; the ſelf-ſame hour ſhall death's cold hand
Cloſe our ſad eyes.—He comes! the monſter comes!
Oh, my dear lord! my terrors will deſtroy thee.
[50] Enter CONNAL.
CONNAL.
Stand off. Theſe arms alone ſhall lend her aid,
At this alarming hour: Connal alone
Breathe life into her lips.—Ah, could he too
Breathe love!
ERRAGON.
Down, ſwelling heart!
Aſide.
MALVINA.
Withhold me not—
CONNAL.
Nay, gentle lady, ſhrink not. To condole,
Not to inſult thy ſorrow, Connal comes.
Such frowns of fate the boldeſt may appal.
But there's an hour, which all, like Erragon,
Much reach, and ſleep within the narrow tomb.
Thy tears have graced the warrior's memory.
And now, that tribute paid, my ſuit perhaps
May entrance find to cars ſo deaf before.
MALVINA.
Never—
CONNAL.
Oh, how enchanting to the love
Within my boſom, this reluctance ſpeaks;
This ſweet confuſion, melting tenderneſs,
Though for a rival's death. Deareſt of women!
Fan not a blazing fire.
ERRAGON.
Still, ſtill be calm!
Aſide.
CONNAL.
Too far at this nice moment I'd not preſs;
Yet would my fond heart hope, ere the moon runs
Her monthly round, that Selma's bards might hail
Malvina Connal's queen.
MALVINA.
[51]It may not be—
CONNAL.
It muſt.
MALVINA.
Impoſſible!
CONNAL.
How tremblingly
Thy timorous eyes glance round, on mine, on his,
As if his preſence pain'd thee!—Is it ſo?
Speak; and he's hence for ever.
MALVINA.
Give me way—
Exit.
CONNAL.
She's gone. Inſenſible as the cold tomb,
To which ſhe flies from me.—Yet ſhall my love
Not quite deſpair. — Pondering thou ſtand'ſt; as all
Were not well done? thy tidings, were they not
Too ſudden, too abrupt? didſt thou relate them
So craftily, that not a doubt remain'd?
ERRAGON.
The tale I've told has baniſhed every doubt.
CONNAL.
She loved this Erragon; deſtruction on him!
She doated, ſhe ſtill doats upon his charms.
What to my importunity may yield
Is forced by fear.—Well, be it forced by fear:
I will enjoy the triumph. Expectation!
How thou buoy'ſt up my ſpirit! 'tis not love,
But every madening paſſion met in one,
That ſwells my ſoul's full tumult.—Yet I'll fix
All ſure; and quaſh, at preſent, future fears.
—Mark me; thus far our bidding thou haſt done,
And ſaved thy life. Another deed remains,
[52]The which if thy bold hand will execute,
I from thy low eſtate will lift thee high,
Above thy loftieſt wiſhes.
ERRAGON.
Name the deed
That I appall'd ſhall ſhrink from.
CONNAL.
Dares thy ſword?—
But we are interrupted. Minla comes.
This way, and I'll unfold to thee my purpoſe.
Exeunt.
Enter MINLA, with a Letter.
MINLA.
Not one ſtep further.—Give thee to Malvina,
Thou fearful paper! in a thouſand atoms,
Firſt to the raving whirlwinds!—on their wings,
Oh, that I too were hurried;—falſe, falſe prince!
Yet why? he never gave one flattering hope.
And ſhe has eyes, whoſe ſparkling fires might quicken
A ſoul more dead than winter.—But why truſt
The fatal ſecret of his flight to me?
Why am I ſingled forth to bear Malvina,
To bear my rival, news will break my heart?
"At twelve the ſhip weighs anchor; to the port
"Safe may Malvina come; where Everallin
"Is ready to receive her,"—aye, and with her
To fly from Minla to the furtheſt ſhore.
And ſhall I give this paſsport? ſpeed their flight?
Am I ſo fond of miſery? horrid thought!
That I ſhould court it for my mortal foe?
[53] Enter CONNAL.
CONNAL.
That daring ruffian ſeems by nature formed
For every deſperate purpoſe.—This point gained,
What, if I now indulge my longing eyes
With one more farewell? ah, I muſt perforce.—
Minla ſtill here?
MINLA.
But why my mortal foe?
not ſeeing the king.
Her gentle nature never, even in thought,
Hath done me wrong. Nor doth ſhe wrong me now.
'Tis jealouſy, that works me to betray,
Murder, perhaps, the nobleſt of her kind.
For who ſhall ſay how far the king's revenge —
CONNAL.
Revenge on whom?—thou makeſt me no reply?
But in confuſion turn'ſt. Of dangerous import,
Something's engendering there. Conjure not up
Unfavorable thoughts. What is that paper?
And wherefore do thy trembling hands ſecrete it,
As guilt were therein folded? On thy duty,
Give me the paper.
MINLA.
Gracious Sir; this paper—
Beneath the ſeal of ſecrecy 'twas given.
And to betray that ſacred confidence—
CONNAL.
Give it!
MINLA.
If thy peace of mind—if Everallin—
CONNAL.
His name a thouſand apprehenſions wakes.
The paper—
MINLA.
[54]Yet forbear, thus let me rend—
CONNAL.
Minla, upon thy duty—
MINLA.
Take it then.
The fatal paper, that deſtroys thy peace;
And in one general ruin ſwallows all!
Exit.
CONNAL.
My hands refuſe t' uncloſe, my eyes to read
Words that may blaſt their ſight.—Come, horrible ſcroll!
Though like a ſpectre every letter glare,
Thus I unfold thee. "From the port, this night,
"At twelve, the ſhip weighs anchor"—with the ſhip,
Deep in th' unfathomed ocean mayſt thou ſink,
Traitor! and with thee thy vile paramour!
I'll inſtantly confront her with the letter;
Then caſt her from my kingdom; from my heart
For ever caſt the ſorcereſs. Yet this brother—
Better he firſt ſhould feel a brother's fury.
Vengeance firſt cries on him! and jealouſy,
With its gaunt brood of horrors, goads me on,
To cruſh the ſcorpion that would ſting my ſoul!
Exit.
End of the Third ACT.
ACT IV.
[55]SCENE, the Tomb.
MALVINA alone.
MALVINA.
What deſolation one night's rage hath done,
O'er ſea and land! it daſhed my Erragon
Upon a rock; uprooted yon tall pines;
And rived the tough arms of the gnarled oaks.
The coot that braves the ſtorm; the cormorant,
And ſcudding roe that ranges the wild heath,
In the cloſe umbrage, round this ancient vault,
Took ſhelter, where, in mournful muſings wrapt,
I've looked for my dear lord. He comes not yet.
The tyrant's jealous eye ſtill ſcans him o'er.
Each moment with a thouſand dangers teems,
That raiſe a thouſand terrors. Surely love,
Imperious love, within the gentleſt heart,
Moſt highly ſets his throne.
Enter VIRGIN.
MALVINA.
Why loiters Minla,
My truſtieſt friend, at this alarming hour?
Didſt thou deliver my impatient meſſage?
Intreat an inſtant interview? Her kindneſs
[56]Ever till now outwent my warmeſt wiſh;
And now can ſhe be changed?
VIRGIN.
In ſuch a time,
Never did I behold ſo ſad a change.
Mute and amazed ſhe ſtood with tearful eyes.
Her looks ſtaid not on any object long;
And quick from red to pale her colour turned.
Trembling and hoarſe and broken was her voice,
As ſhe groaned forth your name. Then all at once
She ſtarted from my ſight.
MALVINA.
Virgin, thy words
Strike terror through my boſom. Every friend
Catches th' infection of Malvina's woe.
Even Erragon perhaps—he comes, he comes;
Leave me.
Enter ERRAGON.
MALVINA.
Oh, never to my eyes more welcome!
Thy preſence baniſhes a thouſand fears.
Yet art thou ſafe from Connal's jealouſy?
ERRAGON.
Earth never groaned beneath a blacker monſter.
Would'ſt thou believe? his horrid love, Malvina,
Would make me my own murderer. I'm reſolved—
MALVINA.
On what?
ERRAGON.
I'll inſtantly unfold myſelf.
The terror of an injur'd huſband's eye
May ſtrike him with diſmay. A mighty fear
Has power to quell the confidence of luſt,
And bold imperious ſin.
MALVINA.
[57]Oh, if there lived,
Within his ſavage breaſt; one generous ſpark,
Not quite extinct;—but virtue's hallowed fire
Burns not upon ſuch altars. Truſt thee rather
To the gaunt wolf, that prowls for midnight prey.
His ravening rage of pity ſavours more,
Than this barbarian's. Ah! my Erragon
Fears, like myſelf, our fortune at the worſt,
Deſperate of what may follow.
ERRAGON.
Different ways
Doſt thou diſtract my mind. In this diſguiſe
If peaceably my paſſion reſts, the tyrant
Drags my dear wife to his adulterous bed.
Should it flame forth in vengeance—Ah, Malvina,
I'm driven with thee to the dread precipice;
And headlong both muſt down. I'll call him forth.
MALVINA.
On death thy fury drives thee.—
ERRAGON.
Die I muſt.—
Whether this preſent hour, or what comes next,
Weighs not with me.
MALVINA.
But, who alas! remains
Malvina's guardian then? robb'd of my lord,
The rocks in vain would echo back my cries.
Thou know'ſt him not as I do, Erragon;
Elſe would'ſt thou fear the fellneſs of his wrath.
ERRAGON.
Fear!—tho' his wrath could hurl a thunderbolt,
Thy Erragon's proud heart would ſcorn to fear.
Ceaſe to perſuade. My honor is at ſtake;
[58]Let not thy apprehenſions for my life
Rob me of that,—the all that's left me now.
MALVINA.
No; by my love! Malvina's awful vow!
Dead with thee in the grave I'd rather lye,
Thus honoured as thou art: for we were born
Heirs of illuſtrious praiſe. Yet ſpent, o'erpower'd,
And hurried to th' extreme; thro' Fortune's cloud
One glimmering ray I ſpy. Yes, Erragon,
There is a man.
ERRAGON.
What man!
MALVINA.
Speak not ſo raſh.
In Selma I have found one faithful friend;
The brother of this king; good Everallin.
Fain would Malvina reſt a trembling hope
On that brave prince.—And lo, where he approaches.
Retire, my Erragon. Perhaps—alas!
My thoughts are all bewilder'd; my heart bodes
I know not what. But deſtiny's at work,
And ſoon will finiſh;—one tremendous hour
Teems with the fate of both.
Exit Erragon.
Enter EVERALLIN.
EVERALLIN.
Abruptly thus
To break upon Malvina's privacy
Requires the kind indulgence of her pardon.
But Minla, whom I ſecretly diſpatched
Upon an embaſſy of ſuch nice moment,
No anſwer yet returning—
MALVINA.
[59]Everallin!
Art thou my friend? I truſt thou art. That look
Confirms my truſt; and I will try thee home.—
Oh, Everallin!
EVERALLIN.
With the ſmalleſt doubt
Wrong not my friendſhip, whoſe ſincerity
This inſtant hour of trial ſhall prove true.—
I will reſtore Malvina's liberty.
MALVINA.
Thou promiſeſt, alas! thou know'ſt not what.—
Wilt thou indeed reſtore my liberty?
EVERALLIN.
Friends, brother, country, I for thee renounce.
MALVINA.
Oh!
EVERALLIN.
Wound me not with ſuch another ſigh.
Inſenſible were I as the brute earth,
Did not that countenance rouze every power,
To miniſter relief. By each good ſpirit!
To ſave ſuch ſuffering virtue, I would die.—
Still can Malvina doubt?
MALVINA.
No, Everallin;
Miſtruſt in friendſhip is diſhonourable.
I'd rather be deceived.
EVERALLIN.
Hear then in brief,
Sweet mourner; and, if poſſible, be happy.
By private means I have prepared a veſſel,
Which by the moon's auſpicious light ſhall bear us,
At midnight's ſecret hour, ſecure from Selma.
MALVINA.
[60]Thy friendſhip ſinks into my very ſoul.
Leave, leave me, while 'tis friendſhip.
EVERALLIN.
While 'tis friendſhip?
MALVINA.
Oh Everallin! I was born the bane
Of all that I moſt honour. Thou beholdeſt,
Proſtrate the loſt Malvina thou beholdeſt
Before that tomb; a ſanctuary no more
For two the moſt forlorn of humankind.
EVERALLIN.
Nay, lady, riſe.
MALVINA.
But when I've ſpoke the ſecret;
Have truſted thee with what my happineſs,
My more than life itſelf, depends upon;
Then, Everallin, ſure thou wilt not then,
(How ſharp ſoe'er the trial!) wilt not part
With every ſoft ſenſation that does grace
And honour to thy heart, thy feeling heart;
Thou wilt not then betray me?
EVERALLIN.
Wrapt in wonder,
My ſpirits all ſtand liſtening.
MALVINA.
—He who brought
Tidings that Erragon in Sora died—
Fain would I ſpeak the reſt; but my fears check
My fault'ring tongue. Ah, then prepare thine eyes
For ſuch a ſcene of wonder.—Now come forth,
Thou whom thy wayward deſtiny hath brought
To this high hour of peril.—Everallin,
Turn thee on who comes here!
[61] Enter ERRAGON.
In him behold
My life, my lord, the huſband of my heart!
EVERALLIN.
Hah! Erragon?
MALVINA.
Alas! that fearful ſtart!
—Oh my dear lord! Malvina has undone thee!
Yes we muſt periſh both!
ERRAGON.
Malvina, no;
We muſt not periſh both. Forth from the eyes
Of this brave prince a generous ſpirit beams,
Bright from the ſoul of honour. — By that honour!
That ſacred honour! I conjure thee, ſave
A virtuous matron! ſave a dear-loved wife!
MALVINA.
Who lives but in her lord! that ſolemn promiſe
Of freedom, from a dying father's tongue,
Let filial duty pay! to his bleſt manes,
Reverent I bow me.—Venerable ſhade!
Hear from thy ſepulchre Malvina's ſighs,
At this dread hour!
ERRAGON.
Or if the chains of death
Hold thee incapable; do thou inſpire,
Tremendous ſpirit of Loda! this young prince,
Whoſe virtues emulate his father's virtues,
To execute that father's will; and reſcue
His captive from diſhonour!
MALVINA.
Yet he ſpeaks not;
Looks not; indignantly aſide he turns.
ERRAGON.
[62]Then there's no more but this.—Here thou beholdeſt us,
Huſband and wife, to the extremeſt verge
Of deſperation driven. If, in defiance
Of the red thunderbolt, the tyrant dares
This laſt aſylum violate, we ſwear,
A ſword ſhall here decide our mutual doom.
MALVINA.
Yes, will die both!
ERRAGON.
O'er thy dead father's aſhes
Our blood ſhall ſtream; his tomb ſhall be our tomb.
Outrage eternal to his honoured ſhade.
If not to Sora, we'll together go
To death. I've ſpoke, our fates are in thy hands.
Live we? or do we periſh?
EVERALLIN.
Thy demeanour,
Thy gallant ſpirit, thy high turns of fortune,
Paſſing the change and chance of mortal lots,
Strike me with wonder. But at once to quiet,
Far as I can, your apprehenſive hearts,
From me fear nothing. Everallin's powers
All ſhall go forth t' oppoſe a brother's will,
And execute a father's. You're both free,
If I can give you freedom.
MALVINA.
Thy words quicken
A dying heart within me.
EVERALLIN.
Heedfully,
Brave prince, attend my words. By my command
A veſſel's ready. Go thou to that veſſel,
[63]Which cloſe to thy own wreck at anchor lyes,
And ſhew this ſignet, at the midnight hour:
There I'll Malvina lead: and while the morn
Lights the white ſails upon the wave of night,
May that propitious ſpirit, who rides the ſtorms,
Secure from every peril, hence convey you,
To Sora's happy haven.
ERRAGON.
Gratitude,
That ſhould inſpire with thanks, makes mute my tongue.
Thy feeling heart muſt ſpeak for Erragon.
Exit.
MALVINA.
And oh, for his Malvina!—from th' abyſs,
Where fortune deep had plunged us, by thy hand
Both are upraiſed to life and liberty;
The creatures of thy providential care.
EVERALLIN.
'Twas a hard ſtruggle! I've ſtrained every nerve,
And to thy virtues ſacrificed indeed!
'Tis paſt Whate'er the colour of my fate,
May thine for ever flouriſh!—Ah, Malvina!
Another fear were fatal.
Enter CONNAL attended.
CONNAL.
See my eyes
As they are wont? or to their doubtful ſight
Forms ſome illuſive ſpirit of the clouds
A falſe preſentment?—can this be Malvina?
The model this of matron modeſty,
Inſolded with that traitour? Seize him, guards;
Who, in defiance of his king's command,
Preſumes on ſuch bold conference. Inſtantly
To priſon with him and his paramour.
EVERALLIN.
[64]If I've preſumed againſt my king's command,
On me let fall thy rage. But harm not her,
Whoſe innocence is pure as unſunn'd ſnow.
CONNAL.
Whoſe innocence? Raſh man, cloſe I beheld you
In amorous dalliance. Still the guilty bluſh
Is crimſon on her cheek. But that proof needs not,
What ſubterfuge has power to cancel this?
While thy own hand bears witneſs to thy treaſon.
ſhews a letter.
What further will thy bold tongue ſpeak?
EVRALLIN.
The truth;
That ſcorns all ſubterfuge. I own, at once,
And glory in the truth. Malvina's charms,
Her virtues, her misfortunes, in my breaſt
A friendſhip raiſed, firm and immutable.
And the brute rage of thy licentious paſſion
Urged me to ſnatch the nobleſt of her ſex
From tyranny's foul graſp. Within the bay,
A ſhip, by my command, this night had borne her
For ever from thy reach; and this laſt conference,
Here at my father's awful ſepulchre,
Was our eternal farewell.
CONNAL.
Falſe; 'tis falſe.
You both are leagued in black conſpiracy;
For which you both ſhall ſuffer.
MALVINA.
He is leagued
In no conſpiracy.—wonder a while,
And conſternation, mute have held my tongue;
But from the very ſtones a voice would break;
Should mine be longer ſilent; and not vouch
[65]The words of this good prince; that, from this night,
He and Malvina never would have met
In this world more.
CONNAL.
And never ſhall you meet.
This very hour, an everlaſting bar
I'll fix between you; if a dungeon's gloom
For life be ſuch a bar; with wary watch
On all the traitour's motions. While for thee
A different ſcene ſhall open.
Enter ERRAGON guarded.
ERRAGON.
Will no one lend a ſword,
To rid me of theſe ruffians?
EVERALLIN.
Erragon!
aſide.
MALVINA.
Oh, death to every hope!—
aſide.
CONNAL.
Why bring'ſt thou hither
That man a priſoner?
OFFICER.
By your royal order,
We ſeized the veſſel anchored in the bay;
Which, with fierce menace and aſſault of arms,
He would have forced from us.
CONNAL.
Who ſent thee thither!
to Errragon.
How dar'dſt thou to aſſault them?
OFFICER.
To that queſtion
Inſultingly he anſwered by this ring.
EVERALLlN.
[66]Then all's diſcovered.
aſide.
MALVINA.
Miſerable Malvina!
CONNAL.
That ring? give me the ring—'tis my own ſignet;
Which, Everallin, thou alone could'ſt lend.
Treaſon is round me—you are traitours all.
—But thee, whoſe forfeit life my mercy ſpared,
to Erragon.
What could tempt thee, in ſuch a daring plot,
To riſe againſt me?
ERRAGON.
Liberty! the right,
The natural right of man. That ſtrikes a fire
Thro' the cold coward's heart; and gives the ſlave
To turn upon the tyrant.
CONNAL.
Kill him, guards;
And ſet his ſlaviſh ſoul at liberty.
MALVINA.
Kill him!
CONNAL.
How's this? why, wherefore theſe emotions?—
Their eyes are riveted!—haſt thou betray'd me?
to Erragon.
Thy inſolent raſh daring at the ſhip;
That wild diſorderd mien—oh, if thou haſt!
A Villain, who art thou?
ERRAGON.
One, whoſe lighteſt look
Thy ſpirit ſhould appal! while vengeance thus,
Like heaven's own fire flames on thee!
Snatches a ſword to ſtab him, and is diſarmed.
CONNAL.
[67]Curſed ſlave!
But my ſword ſhall not end thee. Bring the tortures.
MALVINA.
Barbarian! tortures? at the horrible act,
Nature would ſhrink! the midnight-ghoſts of murder
Turn thy brain wild! and in a frantic ſtart
Make thee th' avenger, with thy own life-blood,
Of my dear lord, my tortured Erragon?
CONNAL.
How! Erragon?
MALVINA.
Diſtraction! ah, my frenzy,
My frenzy has undone him!
CONNAL.
Erragon!
Is't poſſible? again let me behold thee.
Turn'ſt thou aſide in ſcorn? inſolent man!
Connal ſhall make thy haughty ſpirit ſhrink.
ERRAGON.
That thou canſt never do.—Behold again!
Search, with thy ſharpeſt eye, if thou canſt ſee
The ſhadow of a fear. No; tho' unarmed,
And manacled, with all thy guards around,
I'll brave thee ſtill. My wrongs ſhall call for juſtice!
Shall thunder in thy ears, Reſtore my wife!
Whom thy adulterate luſt would violate.
Tyrant! reſtore my wife! or I'll ruſh on thee,
And daſh theſe deſperate chains!
CONNAL.
On thy firſt motion,
Thou dieſt.
MALVINA.
[68]Theſe arms ſhall ſnatch him from the blow;
Or we'll together die
CONNAL.
Aſunder force them.
MALVINA.
He is my huſband! dread the burſting bolt!
CONNAL.
Villains, beware.
MALVINA.
Yet, deareſt Erragon!
My life's in my own power.
CONNAL.
Away; and watch her,
With ſtricteſt guard.
MALVINA.
A little while, farewell!
We ſoon ſhall meet, my love, in yonder clouds,
'Mid troops of bleſſed ſouls; where fiends like him
Can never come to part us!
Exit guarded.
EVERALLIN.
Yet recall her!
Anguiſh like hers would melt a ſavage heart!
CONNAL.
To priſon bear the rebel.
EVERALLIN.
Aye, to death.
A welcome ſanctuary from ſuch a king!
Exit guarded.
CONNAL.
And now, proud man, prepare thee.
to Erragon.
ERRAGON.
Tyrant, yes.
I mark thy fiery eyeballs; ſee my death
Dark in thy gloomy breaſt! come, with my murder
Finiſh the bloody ſcene. While from the deſart,
[69]Night-ghoſts ſtart forth, and fix the fated hour,
To ſink thy ſoul in all its full-blown crimes!
Till when; hung round with horrors, think on me!
And live the general curſe!
Exit guarded.
CONNAL.
What ſtarts are theſe?
And throbs, unfelt before? Methinks, his curſe
Takes place already. Night and her grim ſpectres
Seem to inveſt me—what! ſhall womaniſh dreams,
And fabled ghoſts fright Connal?—hence, remorſe!
Vain phantaſms, again I am a king.
And conſcience, tyrant conſcience, ſhall obey.
Exit.
End of the Fourth ACT.
ACT V.
[70]SCENE, an old Tower.
HIDALLAN alone.
HIDALLAN.
Some evil ſtar ſcowls o'er our battlements,
And menaces their downfall. Every eye
Is darken'd with diſmay. Minla has caught it;
She flies Malvina's preſence; and beneath
Yon mould'ring tower ſighs her ſad hours away.
Enter MINLA.
MINLA.
Come, with thy vengeful terrors, conſcience, come!
Wring with remorſe her heart, who could adore
The minion of renown and murder him.
I merit every pang.
HIDALLAN.
Compoſe, my child,
Thy ruffled mind to peace.
MINLA.
No peace for me.
For Morven none. Into a wilderneſs
Of wretches I have turned this happy land.
Thouſands ſhall rue the deed Minla has done;
And execrate the murdreſs! if my father
Saves not the innocent victim of her frenzy.
HIDALLAN.
[71]How ſtrangely rave thy thoughts!
MINLA.
I loved the prince!
Even to diſtraction Everallin loved.
And in a frantick ſtart of jealouſy,
His ſecret plan, entruſted to my hands,
To bear Malvina off, gave to the king;
Whoſe warrant lies upon his noble life.
HIDALLAN.
Unhappy child!
MINLA.
Oh, had my father ſeen him!
Mute and diſconſolate, a priſoner bound,
He paſſed; his looſe hair flowing from his helm
A gloomy guard behind.—
HIDALLAN.
The ſoldiers' hearts
Beat high for their loved general. His life's ſafe.
Would I could hope the life of Erragon
Half ſo ſecure.
MINLA.
Of Erragon?
HIDALLAN.
The Stranger,
Thou thought'ſt his murderer, is Erragon;
Malvina's huſband.
MINLA.
Wretched, wretched Minla!
I've ſinn'd beyond all pardon! ah, ſhe comes!
Her anguiſh ſinks my ſoul. I hope, to death!
Exit.
[72] Enter MALVINA.
MALVINA.
Where's now my boaſted courage? every wind
That blows, the voice of Connal's followers bears.
At my own voice I tremble. As I paſt
By the black umbrage of the ruſtling oaks,
Methought I heard a night-ghoſt ſhriek! and ſaw
Meteors of death ſhoot croſs me! never more,
Living ſhall I behold my Erragon.
HIDALLAN.
Stay hapleſs lady! whither thus forlorn
And trembling flieſt thou?
MALVINA.
Lead me, lead me to him!
Nay pauſe not; while I've ſenſe and heart to follow,
Lead me to Erragon.
HIDALLAN.
Bleſt were Hidallan,
Could he obey Malvina. But alas,
Connal's intemperate paſſion has nor eyes,
Nor ears in its wild rage. If right I augur,
This evening ſun may make a bloody ſet.
With patience wait th' event.
MALVINA.
Thy words that counſel
Patience, with tenfold agitation ſhake
My heart for Erragon. Even now perhaps
Cold in his boſom lies the cruel ſword;
And can I patient wait? this moment go;
Or, as I am, defenceleſs and alone,
I'll to the priſon; burſt thro' every bar;
Kiſs his pale lips, and die!—hah! who comes here?
Swallow me, earth! ye everlaſting rocks,
[73]Fall on me! cruſh me from that monſter's ſight,
More terrible than death!
HIDALLAN.
Safe from ſurpriſe,
There ſcreen thyſelf, within yon mould'ring arch.
Exit Malvina.
Enter CONNAL and Guards.
CONNAL.
Spread wide th' alarm! and let the horn of battle
Sound louder yet, and louder. Strike the ſhield.
Light up the warning fire on Cona's top.
Here's my fixt ſtation.—Hear'ſt thou not, old man,
The wild uproar? that calmly thus thou meet'ſt me,
While all's at wreck.
HIDALLAN.
My lord?
CONNAL.
A thouſand ſwords,
Unſheathed at once, flame o'er the heath. Loud Carril
Raiſed on the moſſy rock the battle's ſong;
And the deep ſound of death is on his harp.
HIDALLAN,
Yet might Hidallan, at this fearful hour,
Preſume—
CONNAL.
The rebel rout, confuſion on them!
Have burſt the gates, and turned forth Everallin!
Who now would bathe his hands in brother's blood.
HIDALLAN.
Ah, let not paſſion, with a whirlwind's rage,
Tranſport my royal lord.
CONNAL.
But I'll have vengeance!
—That wily ſorcereſs too! 'tis ſhe has witched him.
[74]Malvina's charms have drawn the traitor's ſword;
And ſhe ſhall feel my fury. To the ſoldier,
Who guards her Erragon, this ſignet ſhew;
Bid him, at ſight on't, as his life is dear,
A poniard plunge into his heart.
Enter MALVINA.
MALVINA.
Mine firſt!
Barbarian! plunge it firſt in mine!
CONNAL.
Malvina
Scaped from her guards! Hidallan, how is this?
By what confederacy? who lent her courage
For ſuch a daring act?
MALVINA.
Deſpair! deſpair!
And frantic love! that towers above all danger.
Thus hurried me with headlong violence;
Thus lowly at thy feet, for her dear lord,
Proſtrates the wretchedeſt of womankind!
CONNAL.
Plead to the rocks, proud ſcorner! they are not
More deaf to thee than Connal. Inſtantly
See Erragon diſpatched.
MALVINA.
He ſhall not.
CONNAL.
How!
MALVINA.
He ſhall not, till thy bloody ſword hews off
Theſe trembling hands! I'll hold him—
[75] Enter an Officer.
OFFICER.
They have ſtormed
The citadel; and Everallin's name
Rends all the air. The madding multitude
Call him their king.
CONNAL.
A brother's curſe fall on him!
Unnatural traitor!
Enter another Officer.
SECOND OFFICER.
Everallin, ſir—
CONNAL.
Have the guards ſeized him?
SECOND OFFICER.
Marching at the head
Of ſhouting thouſands, he freed Erragon;
Who ſnatched a lance; and from the priſon ruſhed
Like lightning to the war.
CONNAL.
With tenfold fury
My vengeance ſhall arreſt him!—But, Malvina—
Perdition on the traitreſs! ſhall ſhe 'ſcape?
—Mark me, thou hoary wretch! Guard well Malvina
Till my return.—Hark, hark! their ſhouts redouble—
Cloſe let me find her kept; or, by the fire
That flames within my boſom, thy old age
From torture ſhall not ſave thee.
Exit with Officers.
MALVINA.
Such a monſter
The ſun of heaven ſhould darken to behold.
Thou heard'ſt his menace?
HIDALLAN.
[76]Do not yet deſpair.
Whate'er Hidallan, even at life's laſt riſk,
Can execute, Malvina may command.
In this extreme no moment muſt be loſt.
What's thy reſolve?
MALVINA.
To die!
HIDALLAN.
Hah!
MALVINA.
Die, Hidallan,
As I have lived, my Erragon's chaſte wife!
Enter ERRAGON, with a broken lance.
ERRAGON.
Thou never could'ſt have failed at a worſt time,
Vile weapon! ſtill th' abhorred Connal lives
To perpetrate freſh crimes. He flies me ſtill.
Villains are always cowards.
MALVINA.
'Tis himſelf!
The tyrant has not ſhed his precious blood!
Oh, we will part no more!
ERRAGON.
Malvina? Cloſe,
Cloſe to my heart! that throbs, even while I claſp thee,
With horrible miſgivings. By what wonder,
Soul of thy Erragon! haſt thou eſcaped?
MALVINA.
My ſpirits all come crowding to unfold—
But thus to meet!—the ſudden, dear ſurprize,
O'ercomes my faultering powers,
ERRAGON.
[77]Securely here,
Lay every rude inquietude to reſt.
In this one moment loſe a thouſand woes.
Soon o'er the tyrant ſhall my beſt-beloved
Triumphantly exult.—Hark! hark!
MALVINA.
Ah me!
ERRAGON.
That ſounding horn proclaims him.
MALVINA.
Erragon,
Hear me! oh hear!
ERRAGON.
'Tis he!—Spirit of Loda!
New-nerve my arm! and you, ghoſts of my fathers!
Who hover on your clouds at fate's black hour,
Bend, and behold your ſon! Behold him draw
Th' avenging ſword of juſtice!
MALVINA.
Oh, if ever,
In the dear hour of love, Malvina's voice
Had power to ſtay thee, hold!
ERRAGON.
He towers along,
With fierce and frantic vaunts.—Turn, tyrant, turn!
'Tis Erragon, all terrible in wrongs,
That dares thee point to point.—He ſtops! he turns!
—Mock me not eyes! his guards, his guards fly from him!
Rout and confuſion all!—In wild diſmay,
Precipitate he comes—
MALVINA.
My heart dies in me!
[78] Enter CONNAL.
CONNAL.
Tenfold deſtruction ſeize them!—Oh ſhame, ſhame!
Betrayed—deſerted—every ſword flies forth
For Everallin!—At the traitor's nod
They would uncrown their king!—Hah, Erragon!
ERRAGON.
Monſter of nature! yes.
CONNAL.
His curſt accomplice!
Hateful as he.—The ſcorpion I would cruſh,
Here, in that minion's ſight.
ERRAGON.
Thou bloodier villain
Than words can give thee forth!—But blows, not words,
Horrible wretch! ſhall anſwer.
MALVINA.
Hold, I charge you!
On the bare earth implore you!—Or ſheath here
Your murderous ſwords!—Malvina is the cauſe!
Let me the victim bleed!
CONNAL.
There ſhield thyſelf,
Vile braggart!
ERRAGON.
On thy love, Malvina, hence!
As thou regard'ſt my honour!—
CONNAL.
Coward!
ERRAGON.
Coward?
Infernal villain! deep as to the lungs
Take back the lie.
MALVINA.
[79]Diſtraction!
CONNAL.
Thus I take it.
—Hah! Everallin's horn!—But both! come both!
A horn ſounds.
ERRAGON.
No; not for worlds! I'll fight with thee alone.
Though even a brother's ſword reeked with thy blood
My wrongs would ſtill cry vengeance!—Here's thy fate!
This, tyrant! this devotes thee to the fiends!
Exeunt fighting.
MALVINA.
Oh, horror beyond words!—ſpeak!—comfort me!
Thou doſt not ſpeak! Hidallan, in thy eyes
There looks no comfort. Bear me to my huſband!
HIDALLAN.
No; not for worlds, Malvina! From a ſcene,
That might appal the boldeſt, let my prayers,
My tears, reſtrain thee. Move not from this tower
Till from theſe lips thou hearſt the voice of fate.
Exit.
MALVINA.
Tremendous interval!—My lord! my love!
He hears not.—Will he ever hear me more?
Thou that goeſt forth to battle with the brave,
Dim phantom of the mountains! with thy ſhield,
And ſhadowy ſpear, turn wide the murderous ſword
That menaces his life in whom I live.
—What ſudden ſhout of horror! round the tower
The battle's darkneſs gathers!—ſtay I dare not.
Yet whither to eſcape?—Remorſeleſs Connal!
Few be thy ſteps, and ſpeedy to the grave!
Exit.
[80] Enter EVERALLIN, Officers, &c.
EVERALLIN.
This way went Erragon, burning in wrath,
To croſs upon the king. Bard of the battle,
Follow with ſpeedieſt ſtep: ſay to the prince,
We here attend him—ſilence that loud horn:
Slaughter hath done its work. O'er heaps of dead,
And dying friends, the routed ſoldiers fly.
And tyranny, confounded with the ſhock,
Ne'er in theſe walls of freedom ſhall unfurl
Its crimſon flag.—The fight's renewed!—they ſhout!
That general uproar is a nation's groan!
—At once a horrid ſilence!
Enter HIDALLAN.
EVERALLIN.
Hah! Hidallan!
Say, wherefore with that face of horror comes
My venerable friend?
HIDALLAN.
Forgive my tongue,
Whoſe dreadful tidings ſhall appal thy ſoul.
My royal maſter's dead.
EVERALLIN.
Dead!
HIDALLAN.
Erragon,
And Connal, both are dead. Furious they met;
They fought; and both together lifeleſs fell;
A mutual ſacrifice to mortal ire.
EVERALLIN.
Oh, dire relation!
HIDALLAN.
[81]The guards bear along
The royal corſe, by crowds accompanied,
With ſorrow and with conſternation ſtruck.
EVERALLIN.
No more, no more. From off the ſcene of blood
Slowly to Selma's hall, with ſilent ſtep,
See, the mute ſoldiers follow. While, at diſtance,
With every ſolemn inſtrument of war,
The gray-haired bards attend; Carril, and Ryno,
Ullin, and all the mournful ſons of ſong.
A blow of fate, like this, makes victory weep.
Nor with them ends the terrible diſmay.
As great a pang our heart muſt feel for thee,
Moſt virtuous, moſt unfortunate Malvina!
Enter MINLA.
MINLA.
Unfortunate indeed! only Malvina,
Much injured prince, could lift my eyes to thine.
Her ſorrows only looſe my tongue.
EVERALLIN.
Unfold,
Faſt as thy grief will let thee, gentle maid,
What terrible diſaſter—
MINLA.
All at once,
Ere I beheld her near, with trembling hand
Eager ſhe claſped my arm; then ſtartingly,
Not knowing where, preſſed on; of all enquiring,
Who, who hath ſeen my Erragon? when under
The branching oaks ſhe met a breathleſs body,
Born by two men. She gazed, ſhe ſhrieked, ſhe fell,
[82]On her dead huſband. Bleſt had been her fate
Ne'er to riſe more. But who hath power to ſpeak,
Or hear the ſtory? There, alas! I left her
On the bare rivulet's bank: the ghaſtly head
Of her dead lord ſuſpended on her knee.
No tear falls down her cheek; her eyes are fixed
In ſtedfaſt gaze upon his mangled body.
Speechleſs ſhe fits, and motionleſs as he,
And almoſt of a piece.
HIDALLAN.
The prince is moved.
His generous heart no longer can contain.
He turns, he wipes away the ſtarting tear.
EVERALLIN.
Lead, Minla, to the melancholy ſcene.
Exeunt.
SCENE, a grave by the river-ſide.
MALVINA ſupports the dead body of ERRAGON, attended by Virgins.
VIRGIN.
Ah, look not, ſigh not thus!—Can looks or ſighs
Breathe vital warmth into his clay-cold breaſt?
Nor eye hath he to ſee, nor ear to hear
Thy unavailing woe. Or, if he had,
Ah, wherefore would'ſt thou vex his gentle ghoſt?
Enter EVERALLIN, HIDALLAN, MINLA, &c.
MINLA.
There, prince, behold what paſſes all report!
EVERALLIN.
Was ever ſight ſo mournful!—In what words,
At this dread hour, ſhall I addreſs thy woes,
Ill-fated fair! yet may thy ſorrowing ſoul
Some melancholy conſolation find!
[83]The warrior lies not there a common corſe;
He died in the defence of a dear wife;
Admired and wept by all. Check then, ſad mourner,
This violence of grief; and freely aſk,
Beſt, and moſt worthy of the worthieſt lord!
Whate'er my power can give.
HIDALLAN.
She hearkens not;
But, like ſome monumental image fixed,
Hangs pondering o'er the dead.—Ah, what a ſigh!
EVERALLIN.
Nay, interrupt her not. That burſt of grief
May more relief afford her, than our vain
Condolements all.
MALVINA.
This is a ghaſtly ſight!
Still looking at the body.
One hour ago, one little hour ago,
Freſh as an April morning he went forth
Gallant to battle.—Then he did not wear
Theſe bloody marks of murder!
MINLA.
Hold, hold, heart!
MALVINA.
This manly face was not diſtorted then!—
HIDALLAN.
Some pitying power aſſiſt!
MALVINA.
Then his ſtrained eyeballs
Started not from their ſpheres!—Look there! look there!
How clotted! how congealed!
EVERALLIN.
Nature muſt fail
In ſuch conflicting tranſports.
MALVINA.
[84]We were once;
Or was't illuſion? Once, my Erragon,
We were the happieſt pair love ever joined;
One heart, one mind.—Thy death has broke the charm,
And the ſhort viſion's vaniſhed.—Hark! I heard
His gentle ſpirit call.—Riſe, my loved lord!
Riſe, and in pity take Malvina's ſoul!
Good Everallin ſhall in Selma ſee
Our rites performed, and all due honours done.
Yet happy, oh, thrice happy had we been,
Had Selma ne'er beheld us!—Fooliſh eyes!
What would ye weep for?—Safe the ſlumberer lays,
From the loud ſtorms of fortune; and with this
Takes his ſword.
Points me to the ſame haven.—Lo, I come!
Thus, thus, exulting come!
Stabs herſelf.
Oh faithful ſword!
Lord of my love! I'm thine—in Connal's ſpite—
In cruel Connal's ſpite—for ever thine!
Dies.
HIDALLAN.
Oh horror, horror!
EVERALLIN.
This ſurpaſſes all!
MINLA.
Cruel Malvina! thou haſt killed thyſelf;
And ah, thy wretched Minla!
She faints.
EVERALLIN.
Haſte, aſſiſt!
She faints, poor maid! deſirous, even in death,
To join her friend. Theſe tributary drops,
Nobleſt of human kind! from Everallin
Take, and farewell!—And you, attendant ſhades!
Who, couched in clouds and whirlwinds, oft behold
Virtue, unſullied as the morning ſtar,
[85]Making this melancholy cloſe! oh lead,
To the dark land of ſhadows lead along
This pair unparalleled. There (while our bards
Strike o'er their tomb the trembling lyres of woe),
Each heart-felt groan, mortality's hard lot,
To ſongs of joy triumphantly ſhall turn
'Mid kindred ſpirits of the great and good.
Exeunt.
End of the FIFTH ACT.
Appendix A EPILOGUE.
[87]AT length our bark has reached the wiſhed-for ſhore,
The winds are huſh'd—but is all danger o'er?
The trembling bard ſtill hovers o'er the main—
Still dreads the dancing waves that laſh in vain;
Clings like th'affrighted ſailor to the maſt,
And ſhudders at the dangers he has paſt.
Dangers indeed—for who, in times like theſe,
Would launch his ſhip to plough dramatic ſeas?
Where growling thunders roll, and tempeſts ſweep
Such crouds of bold adventurers to the deep.
O'er his poor head the winds of malice blow,
And waves of angry cenſure rage below.
Critics, like monſters, on each ſide appear,
Herald, the whale; and ſhark, the Gazetteer—
If theſe he chance t' eſcape, there comes a ſquall
From Lloyd's, St. James's, London, or Whitehall;
Here Chronicle, like Scylla, guards the coaſt,
There foams Charybdis—in the Morning Poſt.
Mark how they break his rudder, cut his cable,
Tear up plan, diction, ſentiment, and fable;
Their order is—an order they enjoy,
To ſeize, to burn, to ſink, and to deſtroy.
What wonderous chance our author ſhould ſurvive,
That in ſuch boiſterous ſeas his bark's alive?
[88]But fond Ambition led the bard along,
And Syren Muſes tempted with a ſong;
Fame, like another Circe, beck'ning ſtood,
Waved her fair hand, and bade him brave the flood.
Who could reſiſt, when thus ſhe ſhewed her charms,
Soothed his fond hopes, and wooed him to her arms?
Half-rigg'd, half mann'd, and leaky, as you find,
He tricked his frigate out, and brav'd the wind.
Your partial favour ſtill may ſwell his ſails,
And fill his veſſel with propitious gales;
Though peppered with ſmall ſhot, and tempeſt toſſed,
You ſtill may land him on this golden coaſt;
Convinced that thoſe the ſureſt path purſue,
Who truſt their all to candour and to you.
FINIS.
- Citation Suggestion for this Object
- TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 3816 The captives a tragedy as performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane by the author of The royal suppliants. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-57DF-8