Jane. (shaking her head.)—Ah, Monfort, Mon- Open and cheerful. What of Rezenvelt? fort! Freb. I left him at his home, prepared to follow: De Mon. I can forgive th' envenomed reptile's He'll soon appear. (To De Monfort.) And now, 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; Jane. No more than this do I require of thee And Rezenvelt consents. He meets you here; so far he shows respect. my worthy friend, Give me your hand; this happy change delights me. (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.) 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, To whom an old relation, short while dead, 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, That I should rank superior to Rezervelt. 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, From the first staircase, mounting step by step. Freb. How quick an ear thou hast for distant sound! I heard him not. | 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 Thou art, upon my faith, a noble spirit! changes.) (Jane's countenance 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 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: And, I declare, had he as such received it, (Jane seems greatly distressed, and Freberg I from that very moment had forborne endeavours to cheer her.) All opposition, pride-provoking jest, Freb. (to Jane.) Cheer up, my noble friend; all Contemning carelessness, and all offence; will go well; 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. Freb. (to De Mon.) Good day, De Monfort. (To 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; I go not out to-day. Rez. Then fare ye well! I see I cannot now Be the proud man who shall escort you forth, And show to all the world my proudest boast, The notice and respect of Jane De Moufort. De Mon. (aside impatiently.) He says farewell, and goes not! Jane. (to Rez.) You do me honour. Rez. Madam, adieu! (To Jane.) Good morning, noble marquis. [EXIT. (Jane and De Monfort look expressively to one another without speaking, and then EXEUNT severally.) Forgetting former wrongs, I spurn it all. Freb. For heaven's sake, my friend, restrain your wrath! 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 fortune, I still would smile at vain assuming wealth: rage, 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, 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 me? Freb. What a proud heart, with such dark pas sion toss'd, May, in the anguish of its thoughts, conceive, I will not dare to say. Rez. Ha, ha thou know'st him not. Enter CONRAD. [EXIT. behind him, with a timid step. DE MONFORT, hearing him, turns suddenly about. De Mon. (angrily.) Who follows me to this sequester'd room? Jer. I have presumed, my lord. 'Tis somewhat late: I am inform'd you eat at home to-night; My busy search has found; please to peruse it. Or deadly night-shade, or rank hellebore, Jer. Heaven forbid! Con. Forgive, I pray, my lord, a stranger's bold- Your honour's life is all too precious, sure— Freb. My name is not De Monfort, courteous stranger; But if you have a favour to request, Con. I thank your honour, but I have a friend The name of Rezen velt employ, and prosper; But, if aught good, use any name but his. Con. How may this be? I cannot now explain. Early to-morrow call upon Count Freberg; So am I call'd, each burgher knows my house, And there instruct me how to do you service. Good-night. [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 HOUSE, WITH A WIDE, FOLDING GLASS DOOR, LOOKING INTO A GARDEN, WHERE THE TREES AND SHRUBS ARE BROWN AND LEAFLESS. Enter DE MONFORT with a thoughtful, frowning aspect, and paces slowly across the stage, JEROME following De Mon. (sternly.) Did I not say begone? Jer. Pardon, my lord, I'm old, and oft forget. [EXIT. De Mon. (looking after him, as if his heart smote him.) Why will they thus mistime their foolish zeal, That I must be so stern? O, that I were upon some desert coast! And, midst the roar of jarring elements, 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 ears to holes, To catch those exclamations of the soul, Which heaven alone should hear? Who hired thee, pray? 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 thee! Thy loud-mouth'd boasting is no rule for me You shall not be disturb'd. A tale so damn'd?—It chokes my breath—' (Stooping to lift the handkerchief.)|(Stamping with his foot.) What wretch did tell it You have dropp'd somewhat. De Mon. (preventing him.) Nay, do not stoop, my friend! I pray thee not! Thou art too old to stoop. I'm much indebted to thee.-Take this ring- I pray thee do it-thank me not-What stranger? [EXIT Jerome. A pause. Enter CONRAD. thee? Con. Nay, every one with whom I have con- Has held the same discourse. I judge it not. (De Monfort pauses, staggers backward, and De Mon. You are the stranger who would speak That on my soul like stinging scorpions prey'd, with me? Con. I am so far unfortunate, my lord, That, though my fortune on your favour hangs, De Mon. How may this be? What can I do for Con. Since thus your lordship does so frankly ask, The tiresome preface of apology I will forbear, and tell my tale at once.- De Mon. They have befool'd thee with a false report. Con. Alas! I see it is in vain to plead. Your mind is prepossess'd against a wretch, Who has, unfortunately for his weal, Offended the revengeful Rezervelt. De Mon. What dost thou say? Con. What I, perhaps, had better leave unsaid. De Mon. (eagerly catching him by the coat.) If he has done thee wrong. This never came before-O, if it be ! The thought will drive me mad.-Was it for this Fell devil! 'tis hell itself has lent thee aid To work such sorcery! (Pauses.) I'll not believe it, I must have proof clear as the noonday sun I've roused a fierce, ungovernable madman. Enter JEROME. De Mon. (in a loud, angry voice.) Where did she go, at such an early hour, And with such slight attendance ? Jer. Of whom inquires your honour. De Mon. Why, of your lady. Said I not my sister? Jer. The Lady Jane, your sister? De Mon. (in a faltering voice.) Yes, I did call her so. Jer. In truth, I cannot tell you where she went. E'en now, from the short beechen walk hard by, De Mon. No, stop them not. I will remain And mark them as they pass. Draw back a little. (Conrad seems alarmed, and steals off unnoticed. De Monfort grasps Jerome tightly by the hand, and drawing back with him two or three steps, not to be seen from the garden, waits in silence, with his eyes fixed on the glass door.) I hear their footsteps on the grating sand: Con. Nay, pardon me, it were not well advised, How like the croaking of a carrion bird, If I should speak so freely of the man Who would so soon your nearest kinsman be. De Mon. "Tis false! 'tis basely false ! What wretch could drop from his envenom'd tongue That hateful voice sounds to the distant ear! Cursed be their mirth! Now, now, they come; keep closer still! keep |