You have agreed to sell your soldiers' blood, And we have shed our dearest blood for you. Frederick will do you right Unto no easy service:-hardships, toils, 2d Sol. No, hear him not, he means to cozen you. Each, like his general, must contented be Home to return again, a poor brave soldier. (Endeavouring to stir up a noise and confusion How say ye now? I spread no tempting lure— amongst them.) A better fate than this, I promise none. Soldiers. We'll follow Basil. Bas. What cursed fiend art thou, cast out from hell To spirit up rebellion? damned villain Bas. What token of obedience will ye give? (They all lay down their arms.) (Seizes upon 2d Soldier, drags him out from the Soldiers, lay down your arms! If any here are weary of the service, Stand there, damn'd meddling villain, and be silent; A free discharge, and passport to their homes; For if thou utterest but a single word, A cough or hem, to cross me in my speech, To bellow with the damn'd! (The Soldiers keep a dead silence-after a pause, Basil resumes his speech.) Listen to me, my soldiers. You say that I am to the emperor pledged I do indeed repent me of the crime. I said, fair glory's palm ye would not yield But ye do peace, and ease, and booty love, Safe and ignoble service-be it so- A volunteer, unheeded in the ranks, I'll rather flight, with brave men for my fellows, And from my scanty fortune I'll make good (They all resume their arms.) Bas. (holding up his hands.) High heaven be praised! I had been grieved to part with you, my soldiers. We'll spend our hearts' blood for thee, noble Bas. And so you thought me false? this bites to My soldiers thought me false ! (They all quit their ranks, and crowd eagerly around him. Basil, waving them off with his hands.) Away, away, you have disgusted me! (Soldiers retire to their ranks.) "Tis well-retire, and hold yourselves prepared To march upon command, nor meet again Till you are summon'd by the beat of drum. Some secret enemy has tamper'd with you, For yet I will not think that in these ranks There moves a man who wears a traitor's heart. (The Soldiers begin to march off, and music strikes up.) Bas. (holding up his hand.) Cease, cease, Which our brave fathers, men without reproach, (A great murmur rises amongst the ranks, Sol-To us no glory brings diers call out) We will not part! no, no, we will not part! (All call out together) A sacred oath. Some other chief will more indulgent prove Then silent be your march-ere that again Bas. Advance, lieutenant; wherefore shrink ye You're weary grown-I've been too hard a master-I've even seen you bear your head erect, Soldiers. Thyself, and only thee, will we obey. Bas. But if you follow me, yourselves ye pledge And front your man though arm'd with frowning death. Have you done aught the valiant should not do? Fred. Is Basil, then, so lavish of his praise It were a libel on his royal master; A foul reproach upon fair fortune cast, And surely he has been too much their debtor Bas. Is nature then so sparing of her gifts, Thou art by nature brave and so am I ; With meaner men? I dare be sworn there does. favour, I have offended 'gainst arm'd law, offended, And shrink not from my doom. And cursed thine ill-timed absence.- court, Will make the blackest trait of barefaced treason, Bas. Nay, 'tis a weakness in thee, Rosinberg, Bas. I know thee well, I know thou fear'st not Why should the Duke be false? death; On scaffold or in field with dauntless breast Ros. Because he is a double, crafty prince- Nay, hear me to the end. Fred. It must not be. I've been thine enemy-Noble Albini, with most friendly art, I've been unjust to thee Bas. I know thou hast; But thou art brave, and I forgive thee all. From the gay clamorous throng my steps beguiled, Fred. My lord! my general ! OI cannot To tell him hidden danger waits him here, speak! I cannot live and be the wretch I am. Bas. But thou canst live and be an honest man From error turn'd,—canst live and be my friend. (Raising Fred, from the ground.) Forbear, forbear! see where our friends advance : They must not think thee suing for a pardon ; That would disgrace us both. Yet, ere they come, Tell me, if that thou mayst with honour tell, What did seduce thee from thy loyal faith? Fred. No cunning traitor did my faith attempt, For then I had withstood him: but of late I know not how-a bad and restless spirit And warn him earnestly this court to leave. Bas. (interrupting him.) By heaven and earth Her interest claims, Victoria's guardian friendAnd she would have me hence-it must be so. Has work'd within my breast, and made me O! would it were! how saidst thou, gentle Rosin wretched. I've lent mine ear to foolish idle tales, SCENE III.-AN APARTMENT IN BASIL'S LODGINGS. Ros. Thank heaven I am now alone with thee. Last night I sought thee with an anxious mind, berg? She urged it earnestly-how did she urge it! Ros. O Basil! I could laugh to see thy folly, Bas. I will not tell thee what I think. Ros. But I can guess it well, and it deceives thee. Leave this detested place, this fatal court, Where dark deceitful cunning plots thy ruin. A soldier's duty calls thee loudly hence. The time is critical. How wilt thou feel When they shall tell these tidings in thine ear, That brave Piscaro, and his royal troops, Our valiant fellows, have the enemy fought, Whilst we, so near at hand, lay loitering here? Bas. Thou dost disturb thy brain with fancied fears. Our fortunes rest not on a point so nice, That one short day should be of all this moment; Ros. Nay, rather say, A day to darken all thy days beside. Confound the fatal beauty of that woman, Which hath bewitch'd thee so! And I might yet from some high towering cliff Some little spot that might her dwelling be; Ros. But with such hope, my friend, how stand thy fears? Are they so well refined? how wilt thou bear And hast a pleasure in the pain thou givest! Ros. No, not malignity, but kindness, Basil, Ros. God knows my heart! I would not give That fain would save thee from the yawning gulf, thee pain; But it disturbs me, Basil, vexes me Bas. What, is it possible thou hast behe, Ros. So thinks each lover of the maid he loves, Yet, in their lives, some many maidens love. Bas. Have done, have done! why dost thou bate But now of this no more; it moves thee greatly. me thus ? Thy words become disgusting to me, Rosinberg. What claim hast thou my actions to control ? I'll Mantua leave when it is fit I should. Yet once again, as a most loving friend, A soldier's fair repute, a hero's fame, What noble spirits love, and well I know Ros. Then, 'faith! 'tis fitting thou shouldst leave Full dearly dost thou prize them, leave this place, it now; Ay, on the instant. Is't not desperation To stay, and hazard ruin on thy fame, That I should count and bargain with my heart, As little souls their base-bred fancies feed? Some deep impassable between us roll'd, Ros. Ah! have I then so long, so dearly loved thee; So often, with an elder brother's care, Thy childish rambles tended, shared thy sports; With boastful pride thine early rise beheld A second place, so I might serve with thee; To save his friend, for so they'll call me still; (Basil walks up and down in great agitation, then O blessed heaven, he weeps! (Runs up to him, and catches him in his arms.) O Basil! I have been too hard upon thee. And is it possible I've moved thee thus ? Bas. (in a convulsed, broken voice.) I will renounce-I'll leave O my friend! my friend! I love thee now more than I ever loved thee. I must be cruel to thee to be kind: Each pang I see thee feel strikes through my heart; Then spare us both, call up thy noble spirit, And meet the blow at once. Thy troops are ready Let us depart, nor lose another hour. (Basil shrinks from his arms, and looks at him with somewhat of an upbraiding, at the same time a sorrowful look.) Ros. (hanging over him with pity and affection.) Alas! my friend! Bas. In all her lovely grace she disappear'd, Ah! little thought I never to return! Ros. Why so desponding? think of warlike glory. The fields of fair renown are still before thee; Who would not burn such noble fame to earn? Bas. What now are arms, or fair renown to me? Strive for it those who will-and yet, a while, Welcome rough war; with all thy scenes of blood; (starting from his seat.) Thy roaring thunders, and thy clashing steel! Welcome once more! what have I now to do But play the brave man o'er again, and die? Enter ISABELLA. Bas. Let go thy hold: what, must I be a brute, A very brute to please thee? no, by heaven! (Breaks from him, and Exrr.) Ros. (striking his forehead.) All lost again! ill fortune light upon her! (Turning eagerly to Isab.) And so thy virtuous mistress sends thee here To make appointments, honourable dame? Isab. Not so, my lord, you must not call it so: The court will hunt to-morrow, and Victoria Would have your noble general of her train. Ros. Confound these women, and their artful snares, Since men will be such fools! Isab. Yes, grumble at our empire as you willRos. What, boast ye of it? empire do ye call it? It is your shame! a short-lived tyranny, That ends at last in hatred and contempt. Isab. Nay, but some women do so wisely rule, Their subjects never from the yoke escape. Ros. Some women do, but they are rarely found. Bas. Nay, put me not to death upon the instant; There is not one in all your paltry court I'll see her once again, and then depart. Hath wit enough for the ungenerous task. Ros. See her but once again, and thou art ruin'd! 'Faith! of you all, not one, but brave Albini, It must not be-if thou regardest me~ Bas. Well then, it shall not be. Thou hast no mercy! Ros. Ah! thou wilt bless me all thine after-life For what now seems to thee so merciless. Bas. (sitting down very dejectedly.) Mine after- My day is closed! the gloom of night is come! And she disdains it-Good be with you, lady! (Going.) Isab. O would I could but touch that stubborn heart! How dearly should he pay for this hour's scorn! [EXEUNT severally. SCENE IV.-A SUMMER APARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY, THE WINDOWS OF WHICH LOOK TO A FOREST. Enter VICTORIA in a hunting dress, followed by ALBINI and ISABELLA, speaking as they enter. Vict. (to Alb.) And so you will not share our sport to-day? Alb. My days of frolic should ere this be o'er, I cannot hunt to-day. Vain, fanciful, and fond of worthless praise; Vict. I'll stay at home and nurse thee, dear Al- The sober dignity of virtue wear not, bini. Alb. No, no, thou shalt not stay. I cannot follow to the cheerful horn And such a 'witching mien thy follies show, Nay, but I will. And smile it to disgrace. Not very sick. Alb. Vict. Nay, then I'll go, and soon return again. What shall I do with thee?-It grieves me much, O! I could hate her for that poor ambition Isab. Hark, hark! the shrill horns call us to the I felt the like-I did not feel it long: I hear it, and methinks e'en at the sound How nobly Basil in the field becomes Isab. SCENE V.-A VERY BEAUTIFUL GROVE IN THE Music and horns heard afar off, whilst huntsmen and Vict. (speaking to attendants without.) Lead on our horses to the further grove, And wait us there. (To Bas.) This spot so pleasing, and so fragrant is, Bas. O! I would quit the chariot of a god Alb. Fy reigns that spirit still so strongly in For such delightful footing! thee, Which vainly covets all men's admiration, And is to others cause of cruel pain? O! would thou couldst subdue it! Vict. Vict. My gentle friend, thou shouldst not be The sunbeams on the bright'ning foliage play, severe : For now in truth I love not admiration As I was wont to do; in truth I do not. But yet, this once my woman's heart excuse, I never met before, and I must prove it. Alb. Well, prove it then, be stricken too thyself, store: For after this, all folly of the kind (Music heard without.) All good be with you! I'll return ere long. My most tormenting, and most pleasing charge! And tinge the scaled bark with ruddy brown. Bas. As though an angel, in his upward flight, Vict. Still most unlike a garment; small and sever'd: (Turning round, and perceiving that he is gazing at her.) But thou regard'st them not. Bas. Ah! what should I regard, where should I gaze? For in that far shot glance, so keenly waked, Vict. Remember you have promised, gentle No more to vex me with such foolish words. When every look and every motion tell, (Victoria looks haughty and displeased.) Ah! pardon me, I know not what I say. |