Did I not overhear them say, last night, As from the crowded ball-room ladies past, How gay and handsome, in her costly dress, The Countess Freberg look'd? Lady. If she o'erheard her own request neglected, Freb. Think'st thou she is a fool, my good The- Didst thou overhear it? Vainly to please herself with childish thoughts Ther. I did, and more than this. Lady. Well, all are not so greatly prejudiced; Ther. Ther. He said it but in jest. He loves you well. As my good master is. And then, dear madam, How she was come through the rough winter's storm, To seek and comfort an unhappy brother, Lady. Ay, ay, there is a charm in this I find: Ther. No, madam, no, I could not think of this. Lady. That would reduce her in your eyes, mayhap, To woman's level.-Now I see my vengeance! To meet with Rezen velt. When Freberg hears it, "Twill help, I ween, to break his magic charm. Ther. And say what is not, madam ? That love and admiration often thrive Re-enter LADY, with great violence. Freb. On Monfort's noble sister; but that thus, Freb. Alas, I've been too rough! (Taking her hand and kissing it tenderly.) My gentle love! my own, my only love! See, she revives again. How art thou, love? Support her to her chamber, good Theresa, I'll sit and watch by her. I've been too rough. [EXEUNT Lady, supported by Freb. and Ther. SCENE II.-DE MONFORT DISCOVERED SITTING BY A TABLE READING. AFTER A LITTLE TIME, HE LAYS DOWN HIS BOOK, AND CONTINUES IN A THOUGHTFUL POSTURE. Enter to him JANE DE MONFORT. Jane. Thanks, gentle brother (Pointing to the book.) Lady. How canst thou know that I shall say Thy willing mind has rightly been employ'd: what is not? 'Tis like enough I shall but speak the truth. Ther. Ah no! there isLady. Well, hold thy foolish tongue. (Freberg's voice is heard without. After hesitating.) I will not see him now. Did not thy heart warm at the fair display Though keen and lasting, into love as strong: Enter FREBERG by the opposite side, passing on hastily. Who e'en from childhood hath, with rude malevolence, Withheld the fair respect all paid beside, Jane. (shaking her head.)—Ah, Monfort, Monfort! De Mon. I can forgive th' envenomed reptile's sting, But hate his loathsome self. Jane. And canst thou do no more for love of heaven? De Mon. Alas! I cannot now so school my mind To pout and swell, I strictly will repress ; And Rezervelt consents. He meets you here; so far he shows respect. (De Monfort gives him his hand coldly, and they walk to the bottom of the stage together, in earnest discourse, whilst Jane and the Countess remain in the front.) Lady. My dearest madam, will you pardon me? I know Count Freberg's business with De Monfort, And had a strong desire to visit you, So much I wish the honour of your friendship; So shall Count Freberg's lady ever be. front of the stage, still engaged in discourse.) Freb. He is indeed a man, within whose breast Firm rectitude and honour hold their seat, Though unadorned with that dignity Which were their fittest garb. Now, on my life! I know no truer heart than Rezen velt. De Mon. Well, Freberg, well, there needs not all this pains To garnish out his worth: let it suffice; hence; Pleasant to those who love high generous deeds De Mon. Well, let it be; the sooner past the And, though I have been sworn to secrecy, better. Jane. I'm glad to hear you say so, for, in truth, He has proposed for it an early hour. "Tis almost near his time; I came to tell you. De Mon. What, comes he here so soon? shame on his speed! It is not decent thus to rush upon me. Jane. O say not so! he comes with heart sincere. home-i' the fields, Where other men-must I alone receive him? (Walks up and down very much disturbed.) Now didst thou say?-how goes the hour?-e'en now! Yet must I tell it thee. This knight is near akin to Rezenvelt, De Mon. Freb. O no! to think upon a generous deed Expands my soul, and makes me lightly breathe. De Mon. Who gives the feast to-night? His name escapes me. I would some other friend were first arrived. dame. Freb. Old Count Waterlan. In honour of your townsman's generous gift He spreads the board. De Mon. He is too old to revel with the gay. I know not one, for talents, honour, worth, De Mon. How virtuous he hath been in three short days! And every wish of yours commands my will. (To Countess.) Lady, good morning. (To Freb.) Well, my gentle friend, You see I have not linger'd long behind. Freb. No, thou art sooner than I look'd for thee. Rez. A willing heart adds feather to the heel, And makes the clown a winged Mercury. De Mon. Then let me say, that with a grateful mind, I do receive these tokens of good will; Freb. Nay, longer, marquis; but my friendship And must regret, that, in my wayward moods, rests Upon the good report of other men, (De Monfort aside, going some steps hastily from Freberg, and rending his cloak with agitation as he goes.) Would he were come! by heaven I would he were! This fool besets me so. (Suddenly correcting himself, and joining the Ladies, who have retired to the bottom of the stage, he speaks to Countess Freberg with affected cheerfulness.) The sprightly dames of Amberg rise by times, Lady. Praise us not rashly, 'tis not always so. De Mon. He does not rashly praise who praises you; For he were dull indeed Stopping short, as if he heard something.) Lady. How dull indeed? De Mon. I should have said-It has escaped me now Listening again, as if he heard something.) Jane. (to De Mon.) What, hear you aught? De Mon. (hastily.) 'Tis nothing. Lady. (to De Mon.) Nay, do not let me lose it so, my lord. Some fair one has bewitch'd your memory, Jane. Half-utter'd praise is to the curious mind As to the eye half-veiled beauty is, More precious than the whole. Pray pardon him. Some one approaches. (Listening.) Freb. No, no, it is a servant who ascends; He will not come so soon. De Mon. (off his guard.) "Tis Rezenvelt: heard his well-known foot, Rez. No, no, De Monfort, You have but rightly curb'd a wanton spirit, Which makes me too neglectful of respect. Let us be friends, and think of this no more. Freb. Ay, let it rest with the departed shades Of things which are no more; whilst lovely concord, Follow'd by friendship sweet, and firm esteem, I will not offer you a hand of concord, But never will deceive. (Jane smiles upon De Monfort with great approbation, and Rezen velt runs up to him with open arms.) Rez. Away with hands! I'll have thee to my breast. Thou art, upon my faith, a noble spirit! De Mon. (shrinking back from him.) Nay, if you please, I am not so prepared My nature is of temperature too coldII pray you pardon me. (Jane's countenance changes.) From the first staircase, mounting step by step. Freb. How quick an ear thou hast for distant sound! I heard him not. But take this hand, the token of respect; (De Monfort looks embarrassed, and is silent.) And cursed be its power, unnerved its strength, Enter REZENVELT (De Monfort, recovering himself, goes up to receive Rezenvelt, who meets him with a cheerful countenance.) If e'er again it shall be lifted up To do you any harm. Rez. Well, be it so, De Monfort, I'm contented; I'll take thy hand, since I can have no more. De Mon. (to Rez.) I am, my lord, beholden to (Carelessly.) I take of worthy men whate'er they you greatly. This ready visit makes me much your debtor. Rez. Then may such debts between us, noble marquis, Be oft incurred, and often paid again! give. Their heart I gladly take, if not, their hand! Or the civility of placid looks: And, if e'en these are too great favours deem'd, (To Jane.) Madam, I am devoted to your service, 'Faith, I can set me down contentedly With plain and homely greeting, or "God save ye!" De Mon. (aside, starting away from him some paces.) By the good light, he makes a jest of it! Rez. 'Faith! so he did, and so did I receive it; When, with spread arms, and heart e'en moved to tears, I frankly proffer'd him a friend's embrace: (Jane seems greatly distressed, and Freberg I from that very moment had forborne Freb. (to Jane.) Cheer up, my noble friend; all Contemning carelessness, and all offence; For friendship is no plant of hasty growth. And had caress'd him as a worthy heart, (To the Countess.) My love, the morning, now, is As fair distinction in the public eye, far advanced; Our friends elsewhere expect us; take your leave. Lady. (to Jane.) Farewell, dear madam, till the evening hour. Forgetting former wrongs, I spurn it all. Such fix'd profound regard, I would expose him; Freb. (to De Mon.) Good day, De Monfort. (To And as a mighty bull, in senseless rage, Jane.) Most devoutly yours. Rez. (to Freb.) Go not too fast, for I will follow you. [EXEUNT Freberg and his Lady. (To Jane.) The Lady Jane is yet a stranger here: She might, perhaps, in this your ancient city Find somewhat worth her notice. Jane. I thank you, marquis, I am much engaged; Rez. Then fare ye well! I see I cannot now Jane. (to Rez.) You do me honour. Rez. Madam, adieu! (To Jane.) Good morning, ACT IV. SCENE I-A HALL OR ANTE-CHAMBER, WITH THE WHICH DISCOVERS THE GUESTS RISING FROM A Roused at the baiter's will, with wretched rags Freb. For heaven's sake, my friend, restrain For what has Monfort done of wrong to you, Rez. O! from our youth he has distinguished me A senseless crowd bestow'd. Though poor in for- I still would smile at vain assuming wealth: They enter and pass over the stage and EXEUNT; and From small offence he rear'd a quarrel with me, after them enter REZENVELT and FREBERG. Freb. Alas, my Rezenvelt! I vainly hoped the hand of gentle peace, Such looks, such words, such tones, such untold Too plainly told, 'twixt you and Monfort pass, Yet who could think, two minds so much refined, Rez. Ay, far removed indeed! Freb. And yet, methought, he made a noble effort, And with a manly plainness bravely told The galling debt he owes to your forbearance. And dared me to the field. The rest you know charged, Borne down, with sudden and impetuous force, Which had for ages stopp'd their flowing course. Rez. Thou canst not mean-he will not murder Freb. What a proud heart, with such dark pas sion toss'd, May, in the anguish of its thoughts, conceive, Rez. Ha, ha! thou know'st him not. Con. Forgive, I pray, my lord, a stranger's bold- Your honour's life is all too precious, sure— I cannot now explain. [EXIT. Con. (alone.) Well, this mistake may be of service to me: And yet my business I will not unfold To this mild, ready, promise-making courtier ; SCENE II-A LOWER APARTMENT IN JEROME'S De Mon. (sternly.) Did I not say begone? That I must be so stern? O, that I were upon some desert coast! What am I grown? all things are hateful to me. Enter MANUEL. (Stamping with his foot.) Who bids thee break upon my privacy? Man. Nay, good my lord! I heard you speak aloud, And dreamt not, surely, that you were alone. De Mon. What, dost thou watch, and pin thine To catch those exclamations of the soul, Who basely hired thee for a task like this? Man. My lord, I cannot hold. For fifteen years, Let him who is more faithful take my place, De Mon. Well, be it as thou wilt. Away with Thy loud-mouth'd boasting is no rule for me Enter JEROME hastily, and pulls MANUEL away. Jer. Come, Manuel, come away; thou art not wise. The stranger must depart and come again, LOOKING INTO A GARDEN, WHERE THE TREES AND Enter DE MONFORT with a thoughtful, frowning aspect, [EXIT Manuel, sulkily. De Mon. A stranger said'st thou ? (Drops his handkerchief.) Jer. I did, good sir, but he shall go away; |