Junius Brutus Booth

“ You do me wrong, Orsino. Two fair eyes,
Have thrown so strong a spell about my heart,
That save their own, the brightest looks fall forceless,
As wintry sunbeams on a frozen lake
That wanton on't, but thaw not. ”

“ My aim's accomplish'd—wretch'd Ugolino!
Had all thine acts been merciful as this,
What pangs had I been spar'd, kind death, thou sav'st me,
From being longer an accessary
To crimes, which I but labor'd to prevent,
And from the dread, but sole alternative,
A fatal accusation against one,
Whom not his guilt nor thy stern icy grasp,
Can make less dear to poor Angelica.
Count. Angelica! no! no! thou didst not say so
Not, not Angelica!
Ange. O, Ugolino! ”

“ O'er the cold corse of thy belov'd Serassi,
And pitying cherubs mingle tears with thine;
But ev'ry hot and bitter drop I shed
Is sinful, since it falls for one, whose hands
Are red with innocent blood. ”

“ With that same lute he play'd upon so featly,
S'death that a man should be a catgut twanger,
Be led so by the nose—Serassi, too,
As brave a gentleman as e'er drew breath,
Slain the same luckless night. ”

“ Whose damned arts have poisoned her young soul,
Therefore die! die! and boast in hell thy triumph! [They fight, Serassi falls.
Ser. Fate, thou hast done thy worst.—O, murderer,
In thine own death pang, think of this dark hour,
And let thy soul despair. [Dies.
Count. It is accomplished!
[Stands in an exulting attitude over body.
Enter Angelica hastily, r.
Ang. My lord! my lord! he follows close behind me, [Sees body.
God for his mercy! who lies bleeding there—
Count. [with a shout of triumph.] Serassi.
Angelica casts a hurried glance at the face, shrieks and sinks into Ugolino's arms. ”

“ A lover's eye doth magnify each charm,
Whilst it o'erpasses failings which might blur
A Dian's image. But your praise, Serassi,
Although it wrong her not, is not too o'erstrain'd.
If ere perfection wore a woman's form. ”

“ Ugo. The storm begins,—well, I must buffet it!
Let the weak sink beneath the howling blast,
I'll brave its fury. Ha! what form is that,
Which breaks upon my sight—like the first streak
Of morning, on benighted travellers? ”

“ SCENE III.—The Rialto. Ugolino discovered leaning against the ballustrudes watching the moon, which is just setting in the distance.
Count. Down, thou bright lamp of heaven, get thee down,
And hide thy brilliancy beneath the wave,
Which leaps to thee, ere thou sink'st to rest,
Down to thy ocean bed, and leave the earth,
To darkness suited to the direful act,
Which here must be committed—Down, fair queen,
From thy star-spangled throne ”

“ According to the law, your doom is death;
But on the other hand, since naught doth prove
Your actual commission of the deed,
And the unsettled mind of our poor kinswoman
Deprives us of her weighty evidence,
We mitigate the penalty to exile,
Which we do here pronounce upon you both,
And claim the senate's sanction to our sentence. ”

“ Ang. Ha! that dress! 'tis he!
Hist! my lord Marquis!
Orsi. [Aside.] Ha! a bite at last. [Aloud in a feigned voice.
What would'st thou with me, child? I am no Marquis.
Ang. I know you well, you are my lord Serassi.
Orsi. Art sure on't?
Ang. Aye, sir, sure as you're in love,
And are beloved again.
Orsi. Indeed! by whom? [Aside.] So, so! my constant Marquis.
Ang. Listen, sir.
Song.—Angelica.
The moon is up, and the stars shine bright,
O'er the silent sea,
And thy lady love beneath their light,
Has waited long for thee.
O, sweet the song and the lute may sound
To the lover's list’ning ear ”

“ The angry heavens speak in thunder to thee,
O, hear their awful voice, tho' deaf to mine,
'Tis an offended God that bids thee hold!
Whose vengeance falls on those, who vengeance seek.
Count. My wrongs cry louder than the storm, away! ”

“ Was worship’d-wond'ring, saw the gates thrown open,
My zeal acknowledg’d, and my vows received.
Double, thou sluggard time, thy lazy pace,
When love contends thou limpest in the race,
Speed on the day, whose evening's rosy pride,
Shall but reflect the blushes of my Bride! ”

“ And cruelty to poor Angelica,
(The which her sudden flight hath blazed abroad)
Was then unknown; now ruin'd in his fortune,
And that by gaming too. A vice, thy sire
Held in abhorrence; charged with the seduction,
And mean desertion of a trusting female? ”

“ Since part we must, like brothers and like friends,
Who bent on travel, thus dividing stray
As fortune or as fancy lead the way.
Far off, yet not forgotten, tho' apart,
Dwelling together in each others heart! ”

“ I thought the Countess could not long survive
The shock which threw her reason from its seat—
Pray heaven the murderer be brought to justice,
For I do strongly think the banish'd nobles
Are innocent, despite the proofs against them. ”

“ Let its great moral sink into your hearts,
However, bright the rosy wreath may shine,
Which crowns the jocund brow of youth to-day,
To-morrow's eve may see its buds untwin’d,
For grief to scatter on the wearer's shroud. ”

“ SCENE III.—Outside of the Marquis de Monteno's Palace, the interior illuminated. Music is heard playing within. Groups of Maskers pass over the Stage and enter the palace. Dark stage.
Enter Count Ugolino and Angelica, l. f. e. the latter in a Page's dress.
Count. I tell thee Julio, 'tis impossible—
Thou couldst not hear aright—what? wed to-morrow! ”

“ The which her father's death first furnish'd her,
And secondly the story which hath spread:
So widely of Count Ugolino's cruelty
To an unhappy lady he seduced,
And then deserted for Bertoldi's daughter.
'Twas a base act, and one which gave Olympia
The best of reasons for refusing him.
First Mer. 'Tis said the Marquis de Serassi woos
The lady you last nam'd, pray heaven he wins her,
She is a prize worth throwing for, and he,
The very flower of our nobility.
Cali. He is, indeed, a noble gentleman,
And she a matchless lady. Fare you well. ”

“ Goes up stage. Music. They dance again, during which
Enter Angelica in a fancy dress, masked, and with a lute. After the dance, the company leave the stage in groups. Orsino comes forward, watched by Angelica, l.
Orsi. What! no sport yet? ”

“ Gives purse.
I pray thee friend, let me hear constantly,
How her disorder doth proceed.
Serv. I shall, sir.
Mont. I do much doubt if nature long can bear
The fierceness of the struggle. Farewell, friend. ”

“ SCENE IV.—Apartment at Ugolino's. Storm heard without.
Enter Ugolino, hastily with a letter, followed by Angelica, d. f. l.
Count. Stand off! art mad?
Ang. I shall be shortly!
Count. Cross not the famish'd tiger in his path,
Away, I say! ”