Drinks up his spirits! I will not bear to live-to live-O agony ! And be myself alone my own sore torment! [The doors of the dungeon are broken open, and in rush Alhadra. Seize first that man! Ordonio. Off, Ruffians! I have flung Woman, my life is thine! to thee I give it! Off! he that touches me with his hand of flesh, 230 I'll rend his limbs asunder! I have strength With this bare arm to scatter you like ashes. And all that were and had the Spirit of Life, Sang a new song to her who had gone forth, Conquering and still to conquer ! [ALHADRA hurries off with the Moors; the stage fills with armed Peasants, and Servants, ZULIMEZ and VALDEZ at their head. VALDEZ rushes into ALVAR's arms. Alvar. Turn not thy face that way, my father! hide, Oh hide it from his eye! Oh let thy joy Flow in unmingled stream through thy first blessing. 280 [Both kneel to VALDEZ. Valdez. My Son! My Alvar! bless, Oh bless him, Heaven! Teresa. Me too, my Father? Alvar. Delights so full, if unalloyed Were ominous. In these strange dread events Just Heaven instructs us with an awful voice, That Conscience rules us e'en against our choice. Our inward Monitress to guide or warn, If listened to; but if repelled with scorn, At length as dire REMORSE, she re ZAPOLYA A CHRISTMAS TALE IN TWO PARTS [1817] Πὰρ πυρὶ χρὴ τοιαῦτα λέγειν χειμῶνος ἐν ὥρᾳ. APUD ATHENÆUM. ADVERTISEMENT THE form of the following dramatic poem is in humble imitation of the Winter's Tale of Shakspeare, sexcept that I have called the first part a Prelude instead of a first Act, as a somewhat nearer resemblance to the plan of the ancients, of which one specimen is left us in the Eschylian Trilogy of the Agamemnon, the Orestes, and the Eumenides. Though a matter of form merely, yet two plays, on different periods of the same tale, might seem less bold, than an interval of twenty years between a first and second act. This is, however, in mere obedience to custom. The effect does not, in reality, mat all depend on the Time of the interval; but on a very different principle. There are cases in which man interval of twenty hours between the acts would have a worse effect (i.e. render the imagination less disposed to take the position required) than twenty years in other cases. For the rest, I shall be well content if my readers will take it up, read and judge it, as a Christmas tale. S. T. COLERIDGE. For ceremonious dues. The summoning But what my lord will learn too soon drum, himself. Raab Kiuprili. Ragozzi! I have reared Whose face so much distempered you? Of mystery? That face was wont to open Clear as the morning to me, shewing all things. Hide nothing from me. Chef Ragozzi. O most loved, most honoured, The mystery that struggles in my looks Betrayed my whole tale to thee, if it told thee That I am ignorant; but fear the worst. Raab Kiuprili (his hand to his heart). 30 Gives splendid arms, pays the com mander's debts, And (it is whispered) by sworn promises Makes himself debtor--hearing this, thou hast heard All [Then in a subdued and saddened voice. Raab Kiuprili. Barzoni? I held him for a spy; but the proof fail ing I give it as a weapon to thy hands, Useless to thee, 'tis worthless to myself. Yet ere thou dost resolve, know that yon palace Chef Ragozzi. Here before Heaven I To the royal line of Andreas. Have faced round, terror-struck, and feared no longer The whistling javelins of their fell pursuers. Ha! what is this? [Black Flag displayed from the Tower of the Palace: a deathbell tolls, etc. Vengeance of Heaven! He is dead. Chef Ragozzi. At length then 'tis announced. Alas! I fear, ΙΟΙ That these black death- flags are but treason's signals. Raab Kiuprili (looking forwards anxiously). A prophecy too soon fulfilled! See yonder! O rank and ravenous wolves! the deathbell echoes Is guarded from within, that each access. by Ruffians |