Wert smiling then in peace, a happy boy, Dost thou deem That he still lives?-Oh! if it be in chains, Say but he lives-and I will track his steps Pro. Rai. From my mind Still dimly gathering round each thought of him, Pro. Raimond! doth no voice Speak to thy soul, and tell thee whose the arms Pro. Oh! this hour Makes hope, reality; for thou art all Rai. Pro. Because I would not link thy fate with mine, Pro. Here, in our isle, our own fair Sicily! In its deep silence mightier, to regain Rai. Can it be thus indeed ?-Thou pourest new life Pro. Thou shalt hear more! Thou shalt hear things which would—which will arouse The proud, free spirits of our ancestors Even from their marble rest. Yet mark me well! Be secret!—for along my destined path I yet must darkly move.-Now, follow me, And join a band of men, in whose high hearts Rai. My noble father! Doth rush in warmer currents through my veins, By the quick sun-stroke freed. Pro. Ay, this is well! Such natures burst men's chains!-Now, follow me. Ex. CCLI.-SECOND SCENE FROM THE VESPERS OF PALERMO. PROCIDA and RAIMOND. Procida. And dost thou still refuse to share the glory Of this, our daring enterprise ? Raimond. Procida! I too have dreamt of glory, and the word Hath to my soul been as a trumpet's voice, Whereby it was won, the high exploits, whose tale Pro. Every deed Hath sanctity, if bearing for its aim ID The freedom of our country; and the sword Searching, 'midst warrior-hosts, the heart which gave Of the still chamber, o'er its troubled couch, At dead of night. Rai. [Turning away.] There is no path but one For noble natures. Pro. Wouldst thou ask the man Who to the earth hath dashed a nation's chains, Rent as with Heaven's own lightning, by what means To that most bright and sovereign distiny Had led o'er trampled thousands, be it called A stern necessity, and not a crime! Rai. My soul yet kindles at the thought Of nobler lessons, in my boyhood learned Even from thy voice. The high remembrances And such be mine! Where thou didst plant them; and they speak of men Pro. Than hosts can wield against her?—I would rouse To its proud sphere, the stormy field of fight! Pro. Ay! and give time and warning to the foe To gather all his might !-It is too late. There is a work to be this eve begun, When rings the Vesper-bell; and, long before Of the Provençal tongue within our walls, As by one thunder-stroke, be silenced. Rai. What! such sounds As falter on the lip of infancy In its imperfect utterance? Pro. Since thou dost feel Such horror of our purpose, in thy power Are means that might avert it. How would those rescued thousands bless thy name, Rai. Pro. [After a pause.] Thou hast a brow From a long look through man's deep-folded heart; Ex. CCLII.-THIRD SCENE FROM THE VESPERS OF Raimond. PALERMO. PROCIDA and RAIMOND. My father!-wherefore here? I am prepared to die, yet would I not Fall by thy hand. Procida. 'Twas not for this I came. Rai. Then wherefore?-and upon thy lofty brow Why burns the troubled flush? Pro. Perchance 'tis shame. Yes! it may well be shame!-for I have striven Noting it thus. I have prepared The means for thy escape. Rai. What! thou! the austere, The inflexible Procida! hast thou done this, Deeming me guilty still? Pro. It is even so. Upbraid me not. There have been bolder deeds By Roman fathers done;-but I am weak. For the night wanes. Thy fugitive course must be In silence, and for ever. Rai. Let him fly Who holds no deep asylum in his breast, Pro. Art thou in love With death and infamy, that so thy choice Is made, lost boy! when freedom courts thy grasp? Rai. Father! to set the irrevocable seal ye Upon that shame wherewith have branded me, There needs but flight. What should I bear from this, My native land?-A blighted name, to rise And part me, with its dark remembrances, For ever from the sunshine!-O'er my soul Float in dim beauty through the gloom; but here, Pro. What high prerogatives belong to death. When I am gone, The mists of passion which have dimmed my name, Pro. Now, by just Heaven, |