Review of Conscience, or the Bridal Night. the latter being in the power of Alfero, who threatened to denounce him instantly, unless he moved the senate in his favor; this the other could not do, and to avoid a public punishment, both had fled. This answer, however, did not satisfy the guard, who insisted on his accompanying them to the duke to answer for his conduct, to which Lorenzo consents. When he is about to depart, Elmira enters, and is informed of the circumstances; she demands what he had done with her father, and, apprehending violence had been used towards him, vows never to know Lorenzo 'till he is restored to her. Lorenzo is then led off, guarded. Julio returns to the castle, where he meets Rodolpho and Elmira ; shortly after a messenger enters from the senate to require the immediate presence of Elmira, on whom suspicion lay of having conspired against Arsenio's life. She is horrorstruck at the charge, but instantly obeys the order. This, however, was but a stratagem of the Duke's, that by accusing Elmira he might induce Lorenzo to declare the truth. The artifice succeeded; Lorenzo, to save his wife from the foul charge of murder, commands Julio to release her father and Alfero, and bring them to the city. Alfero is ordered to execution, but, with his dying breath, accuses Lorenzo of having given poison to Rinaldo. Elmira meets her father, and entreats him not to prosecute the charge against her husband; he is still hardened against her supplications, when she draws a dagger, and vows that it shall drink her blood if he refuses to comply with her request. He contrives, however, to get the dagger from her, and swears that nothing shall delay his vengeace against the murderer of his brother. Elmira, finding all vain, solemnly vows, that neither food nor drink shall pass within her lips if he persist in his purpose against her husband, and Arsenio, at length, is conquered by her resolution, when Lorenzo and Julio enter. She flies to his arms, tells of her father's forgiveness, and bids him be happy. He turns on her with a mournful look, and tells her 'tis too late; to avoid the shame of a public trial, he had taken poison, and already he began to feel its effects. Elmira faintly asks if he is guilty of the charge against him, and, being answered hesitatingly by Lorenzo, she dies, broken-hearted, in his arms. The poison had now reached the vitals of Lorenzo, and he drops dead by the side of his hapless bride, which concludes the Tragedy. We have little to add in addition to what we have already said respecting this work; that it has particular merits Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. we will not deny, but our general objection is a tameness and dulness in the dialogue, and a want of originality in the plot, and of interest in the incidents. The language is plain and unconstrained; unadorned by any fanciful imagery, and never approaching to the sublime, though frequently sinking beneath the level of ordinary composition. In its representation it obtained a degree of estimation, to which, on perusal, we could not subscribe. We shall never be influenced by any adventitious circumstances to waver in our opinion, or hesitate in pronouncing it; and no matter how that opinion may differ from others, we will not be deterred from fulfilling our duty according to those principles of candour and justice, which shall ever form the basis of our conduct as impartial Reviewers. Poetry. ISABEL. A DRAMATIC POEM. (Concluded from p. 321.) A large ACT 2d.-Scene 1st.-A Gothic Hall in Lindenberg Castle. window at the extremity, through which the distant country is visible ;the moon sheds a faint light on Agnes, who stands gazing on it intently.— A pause AGNES. Petrarch and Tasso, what illustrious names Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. A thousand forms and shapes appear, whom none Sweet dream of life!-thou art enchantment all!— Pervading my whole thought, words, actions, being- Shrin'd in the blue and infinite expanse, Scatter'd through the Earth's desert!-that sweet font Thou wert the spring whence flow'd that mighty stream Melts in the arms of roses;—or that ruin O'er which the world doth weep ;-or that which is Of the Earth's creatures, as their shuddering sight Isabel, & Dramatic Poem.. Lay couched upon the narrow way, and rustled And all my spirits felt thy plastic sway. (Lindenberg enters at the back.) Lin. I've left the revellers-their lawless shout (Sees her) Now by thy radiant eye, more worth to me So soon, and sudden your own Lindenberg ? Agnes. Why-why reproach me thus-I cannot move, Lin. And kindness at your heart you speak as gently [interrupts her hastily] Do I not speak so now ? No pause from pain which we ourselves create : When we would praise, or thank, or play the lover, Isabel, a Dramatic Poem. Which sometimes cross my mind-fugitive thoughts- My soul was with thee-who can part us now? Through battle, and through danger, and despair, [4 moan is heard as proceeding from a distance-Lindenberg approaches the casement, and watches earnestly-a pause of mutual agitation—in a few moments a voice as if struggling against pain is distinguished :] A voice from the clouds on Martha fell, Oh! had she died when the blasting ray She might have lain in her mountain bed,- But she was doomed, and she roams the world, She has no refuge from anguish now, [Lindenberg continues to gaze on the terrace and woods below- Agnes, grasps his arm.] |