The while Destruction gathers up itself, To crush him with its concentrated force. 1st Man. What's this about? Man of the crowd. Philip has set us free! But Heaven confounds whom it forebodes to ruin! The damned collector stripped us, dead and living: Philip and Gaston 'neath its castle gates, 2d Man. Gaston I do not like. These strange adventurers Start up in troublous times, as crawling things 2d Man. His voice is like a trumpet! Never heard I so rich, so full a voice I've seen men moved when but its tones were heard. 1st Man. Thus was it then!-They that were cold at first, Or fixedly determined 'gainst his purpose, Wedged close, like a thick swarm of summer bees; 2d Man. He will be great!And were he sundered from that foreign patriot, As all good men desire, might bless the state By his ascendance o'er the tyrant's fall. 1st Man. Trust me, a mighty engine is at work, To undermine rock-rooted tyranny,— And I bless God that we shall be free-men, As did each tongue of those assembled thousands, Until the morning-heavens gave back the shoutAnd yet each man returned unto his home Without impediment! 2d Man. They might not now, For now he is awake; and terrible Has his awakening been! The bloody rack Doth every hour its work; and armed bands Scour through the silenced streets, or trample down Whoever dare oppose them - men or women, Or little helpless children—and make search In the house of each suspected citizen. 1st Man. Poor impotence of power!-where one is with him, A thousand are against him! A wild crowd of people come up. People. God save Philip! Hurrah for the Deliverer! Who's for Philip? The body on the bier- the new-made bride- Dealt him a wound in 's body that cut short Another Man. And ripping up his bags, Man. Here is a full and true account of the wonderful and awful prophecy delivered by one who rose from the dead; in which is plainly foretold the strange and solemn events which are coming upon the earth, to which is added, the downfal of pride, and a clear explanation of the terrible and portentous signs and tokens in the sky, written by the learned Dr. Astreus: together with an account of sundry wonders and mysterious visitations which were witnessed in many places of this state. All which are explained with reference to things which are about coming to pass. He that runneth may read." " Innocent. Man of pride, the hour is near, Mother S. We know of whom he speaks! Ah no, he speaks again! Innocent. Cometh night upon the noon? Mighty, art thou fallen so soon? Let me close mine eyes, I see See ye not these streets run blood? [He sinks down insensible. Innocent. [starting up.] They are here! I feel their hands! Off! I brook not gyves nor bands! Down the silent, echoing street, Hark! I hear their coming feet! Lord of M. What messenger of mercy may'st thou be, That daily visitest this dreary cell, And ministerest kind comfort to my need? Ida. [placing the viands before him.] Eat, drink, Did I not see thy weak and trembling frame, Ida. Eat, drink, old man, waste not the time in Meantime I will compose my mind to speak Lord of M. Heaven grant I have! yet not in My years are well nigh full-his years are few, Your son is free Three leagues from this he lieth with his army! canst not mean Philip of Maine! Ida. The very same, I mean! Nay, the whole land, if rumour speaketh truly, Lord of M. Ha! is it so? Scarce forty days have Since he was friendless and of no account! Like the fierce torrent of a mountain river, [He gives a spring upward, and is seized Their old allegiance—all declare for Philip! Mother S. Unhand him, cut-throats! [All the people struggle to rescue him; he Hans Clef. This is his blood! By heaven it is The castle is blockaded. In our walls The few leal men who have maintained their oath Lord of M. Lord of M. But proceed! Lord Kronberg swears to part with life, ere right. I am Lord Kronberg's daughter! Lord of M. Art thou Lord Kronberg's daughter? Ida. Thou must hence Must to thy son, and counsel him to temper Vengeance with mercy. When he knows thee safe, Perchance he may withdraw. And more than this, Flee for thy life! A gibbet is erected, Thou'll see it in the moonlight, on the walls; There 't was my father's orders to convey thee, A terror to the foe, when day should break; And woman as I am, weak, timid woman, I dare oppose my judgment unto his! He shall not stain his name - a noble name, By basely taking life from such as thou An old and unoffending nobleman! Hence to thy son! and, friend, remember this, Thou hast had mercy, and be thou for us An angel of sweet mercy! Lord of M. [aside.] No marvel 't is he loved her! [She unbars the door, and they go out softly together. SCENE II. Ida's chamber-Ida arranging flowers. It was a gentle notion in old times, As much as a whole book of poetry. Enter BERTHA, with a banner in her hand. Bertha. My noble cousin, Mounts not thy blood to see this gallant standard! Many a brave field has seen this crimson banner A field of noble foes-then waved it well! Alas! that it must spread its silken breadth To yon base herd, 'gainst whom the raven's wing, Flapping above the blasted gibbet-tree, Had been a fitter banner! Ida. They are men— And my heart tells me, sorely injured menPower is oppression! Bertha. Creatures of the earth, Made to be trodden on! Poor beasts of burden, Formed for submission; and they now rise up And ask their rights as men-faugh! look at them, They are but brutes! Down with them to the dust, And make them eat of it! Ida. Nay, gentle cousin, Their cause was just, heaven grant they shame it not! Their sole demand was bread, bread for their childrenWas 't more than right ?-I tell thee, dearest Bertha, Power is a dangerous engine in man's hand. Ida. My father, no!- these men are innocent"T was I who gave him freedom! Lord of K. I would not let thy noble name be stained Lord of K. SCENE III. But how now! What is this? Oh, but to stand Seven days afterwards-the same apartment-Ida re- Ah! what a stirring sight! Yonder is Philip, clines on a couch. The name of Ida Kronberg will go down I would resign my breath into thy hands- Enter BERTHA, and COUNT FABIAN. Bertha. Ha! traitor, did he say? Believe me The tumult of the hour hath mazed his brain- Heaven knows if we shall take those sports again! orders, For he most strangely worded his command, Bertha. I told you, Count, my uncle's brain is mazed. He does not mean that she and I are traitors. Ida. [aside.] Oh, most unkind, to still believe me The very walls, and this small tower gives nought To shut his heart in such a time as this! But 't is not meet Count Fabian see me weep — Save quiet fields, and the green, waving tree-tops! the dead! Fab. To those cooped up, the strife is more appal- [They go into the inner room. Than in the open air, amid the contest. Fab. She's a noble lady! [A loud clamour of assault and defence is Fab. Curse the orders! Pardon me, lady, but my soul is chafed Soldier. Let us go forth, Sir Count! They need our help! Fab. [A more terrible explosion shakes the whole My father! Is he safe? Enter COUNT NICHOLAS ed rats Enter the LORD OF KRONBERG, COUNT NICHOLAS Had we not helped you; and we'll have our wages! Another. We shall go short, unless we help our and SEGBERT. You did declare a force of twenty men And but that 't is an hour we may not spare From weightier business, you should die for 't, traitor! Nich. Nay, my good lord of Kronberg, 't is unjust, Shame on myself!-I am a veteran soldier My Lord Kronberg, Will see them die of famine, ere I yield it! Mother S. We will not hear thee! Thou'dst be a tyrant - be another Kronberg! [They make a fresh attempt to carry off their spoil; the soldiers oppose them; a violent contest ensues, and many are wounded. Mother S. [aside.] Let us appear to yield. There is a force Outside will take our part! We'll have revenge! Man. Give us free egress, Philip, and we'll yield! Soldiers, give place, and see that all go hence; [He withdraws into an inner room. Many voices. Hang him! we'll have a reckoning with him yet! Woman. [taking a body] My son, my son! he's dead! One enemy is crushed, or well nigh crushed, [They all go out. Cooped in a little tower, and scarce a hundrea ... |