Meantime another rises, like the head "Tis the strong arm must crush them as they rise; Wherefore the great must keep the low subjected. Enter GASTON. Gast. Dost fold thine arms as thou might'st take thine ease? Thou art not lord of this dominion yet! Phil. Speak plain, what is thy meaning? Gast. The rude concourse, Whom thou hast driven from the gates e'en now, Strengthened with a gigantic force, return, And claim access, mad with some fancied wrong. Thou art no longer "noble, gracious Philip;" But "tyrant," "bloody and injurious tyrant!" Phil. I'll cut them into mouthfuls for the dogs! Gast. Thou madman! These are they who gave thee power! Phil. Wouldst give the fair reward of seven days' strife But they do chill the blood within one's veins;- And, easy-conscienced, could cut down a hundred; To stab i' the dark; and put the subtle poison In meats and drinks! Who gave the order for 't? Attend. Philip our good lord Philip-who but he? 3d Sol. If but a hair of any soldier's head Have come to harm, by Him, who is in heaven, I will forswear the service of this Philip As a blood-thirsty tyrant, worse than Kronberg! 4th Sol. If it be so, I will return on th' morrow Το my first soldier-oath! The burghers clamour at the gates for help SCENE II. A small room of the upper tower-the Lord of Kron berg alone. Lord of K. When great misfortune threats a noble house, "Tis a great sacrifice that must be made Phil. Damnation on them! Bid the burghers fight For its retrieve and 't is the part of greatness Phil. Misfortune to defy by nobly yielding! It were a lie - the blood that warms his veins Dominion o'er the factious multitude Peace, peace, my lord, But here she comes — All is one scene of tumult, blood, and frenzy - Enter SOLDIER. My daughter, banish these dejected looks! Lord of K. Some harsh words I spoke to thee at parting, I remember Forgive thy father, Ida; he was wroth, More with the woe that pressed him, than with thee! Ida. Nay, ask not my forgiveness! Lord of K. Thou, dear child, Sweet image of thy mother, the most true, Here for protection. They demand your presence- The patientest, the fairest of all women -The city is on fire in every quarter! Soldier. My lord, the burghers bring their wives and daughters Phil. Confusion seize them! I shall not go forth And do their bidding, as they choose to dictate! Lord of M. Then I will buckle harness on, and forth! What gentlemen will up, and come with me? Gast. [aside.] If that old man go forth, he ruins Stay, brave old sir, we will not tax your arm Thou art my only hope! Ida. The fortunes of our house, and give again That this land is in anarchy for thee In the cold arms of death! Jest not! What is the tenor of thy words? Lord of K. Philip of Maine did ask thy hand in marriage, Which I refused; thence rose this civil contest. Nobler than now! His name had not a stain! Lord of K. A sordid, penniless lord, without respect; Scarce raised above the vassals of the soil! Because he then was worthy of my love. Ida. Thou hear'st aright, my father,Ah be not wroth, but hear me calmly on. Philip of Maine is a dishonoured man! Thou wouldst not have me wed with such a oneMy father, thou wouldst not! Lord of K. Thou lovedst that most beggarly, vile man! Ida. Oh that my life could save thee! Then consent And never call me father- I'll be lord [Ida retires, and he goes out by another Poor as a hind, but not so serviceable One that was as a proverb and a jest— A needy lord, that in a threadbare jerkin Came as a wooer! And now that he has gained Ida. Because he hath laid waste this wretched land; Hath shown himself a fierce, revengeful man, SCENE III. Ida's apartment Enter PHILIP. And here she dwelt! Here passed her beautiful life! Breathes through the room! Ambition, hate, and Lord of K. I would retain my power by winning Have here no entrance: did I then believe him. Ida. Is it to such a man thou'dst wed thy daughter? Lord of K. Unsay what thou hast said- -that thou 'dst have wedded Philip of Maine when he was low and needy! Could I think it, That hate had conquered love, and hot ambition Enter GASTON. Gast. My noble lord, 't were pity your sweet In this fair lady's chamber should be broken- Phil. Ha! a capitulation of this sort? Gast. Your noble prisoner offers his fair daughter, Phil. I swore that he should offer me his daughter! Besides, this man is craftier than you are — Phil ments. Promise the citizens whate'er they ask. Gast. Ay, ay, I'll promise them! I' faith, you know Performance is a very different matter! Phil. We shall not be so over-nice 'bout that! Gast. Poison or steel will make us sure of him! One atom of the power you have achieved, Rule them, or they rule you!-and traitorous Kron berg And steer you through the storm-but hear me on! In the great square, with such sad pomp of woe Of vengeance upon you, save you will promise Phil. What are you mumbling o'er? Let us away, I'll clasp my bride before the set of day! [They go out together. SCENE IV. Apartment in the tower· - Ida and Bertha. Berth. Oh do not yield unto this bloody man Another day and succour will arrive- Ida. To meet the man who was so dear to me! Enter PHILIP, magnificently apparelled. Phil. Now do we meet without reproach or fear In this long document. [aside.] But I'll not show 't: Not as we parted, my own gentle Ida! Here they require "that felon-traitor, Gaston, To be brought to condign punishment for 's sins!" Ida. No, no, we do not meet as last we parted: Thou art not such as when we parted last That I must still oppose my father's will! I would have ta'en thee, spite the world's reproach. For how hast thou fulfilled this glorious vision – How been protector of the ignorant people? No-henceforth we are widely separate- Ida. Philip, thou wilt not-dar'st not kill my father! Phil. How dare I not? As yet I have not found The deed I dare not do! Ida. Perfidious man! If this poor life can sate thy thirst of blood, Take it, but spare my father! Phil. I have said it! Ida. I gave thy father life-O spare thou mine I risked my life to save thy father's, Philip! Phil. It was a woman's act- thus do not men! Ida. Oh how does guilt put out each virtuou spark, Stifle each generous, noble sentiment! Phil. Now for a little season, we will part— When next we meet, my hands shall yet be redder! [He goes out Ida. Hence, hence! What may be done, shall yel be done We will not fall without a dying struggle — [She goes into the inner room Hast thou not shed their blood? Outraged their That shall be tyrant o'er us! What's this Philip homes And led them up, like hungry, ravening wolves, To prey upon each other? Philip, Philip, Thou hast forgot thy holy enterprise To feed thine own revenge! Phil. Lest thou too tempt me to it! Ida. Name not revenge, Heaven be our shield- But I have done with tears; they moved not heaven, Thy tender mercies, like kind angels' wings, Thou shalt pour in sweet balm! |