less peace.

som not altogether heartless, but as And to whose door first went Gi. bad, or worse, intensely selfish, from nevra on her leaving the vault? She which they come not of themselves says to Antonioin a flow of sorrow, cast up from the “ Even my mother is frighten'd at my troubled depths--but all is shallow

voice, and superficial; and we “pity neither And I have wander'd to thy gentle doors." him nor his grief.” In the other, we

No mention of her husband. It is hear a wounded spirit holding com

not till Antonio says to hermunion with nature, and momentarily partaking of her peace-momentari.

“ Myself will bear thee to thy house, thy

husband, ly, and no more-for the hours of his anguish will, we feel, never make up

Laying a heaven on his repentant heart;" to him another year.

that she tells he had driven her " Thou and I

from his “ shrieking doors.” But she Are thus unhoused alike, and in no home. sought not refuge with Antonio's The wide earth holds us both."

mother, till her own had been frightDismal bewilderment of the widowed

ened at her voice and as “none would soul in the disappearance called

let her in,” she came last of all to her death!

lover's house. That is purest nature. Then the behaviour of the men in

Ginevra exercises the most diffithe sudden presence of the appari, the most efficacious of all the virtues,

cult, the most comprehensive, and tion! Little or no love for her had there ever been in Agolanti's heart; patience ; which, for ever inwardly for if there had, it would have ming: blessing the heart wherein it broods, led with his fear, and there would have for ever keeps effusing outwardly a been no horror of such voice calling on

celestial calm, of which at times trou. him in such words

bled natures are made to partake

whether they will or no, while the “ Francesco Agolanti ! husband !” war of passion is subdued into noiseAfter the first affright-he would

Did we say for ever ? have known in his heart that her Nay, there is no perfection beneath ghost-if ghost it were—“ that somea

sun, moon, and stars, nor yet among thing there, standing in the moon

them; and even Ginevra's sweet, light”-came not to harm-not even

sad, submissive, and resigned selfto upbraid—but to forgive and to a Christian lady indeed—an Italian bless. He could never have known

Roman Catholic Christian lady-hath what pity was, who recognised not the not perfect patience; and even in her prayer of one yet mortal

blood, the same being purely human, “Come forth, and help me in-Oh, help her the less, but the more-that tem

we have seen_nor therefore loved me in!” Wicked even in his remorse for

per could quicken the pulse, till her wickedness, he has no faith in Gine: pale face for a moment Alushed-half

anger, half-shame, yet not even for vra's voice.

that moment without the look of sor. “ Detestable thing ! witch! mockery of row-and then fixed again into its the bless'd !”

colourless beauty, betokening, though And materialist as he is, though he none are to be seen there now, that knows it not, he believes that he can, few so young had shed such multiby bolts and bars between it and his tudes of unpitied tears. soul, shut out an immortal spirit.

The law of divorce is different in or Love casteth out fear;" and so it different countries; but for eighteen was with Antonio. He had been me. hundred and forty years marriage ditating on the mystery of death—and has been a holy thing in Christendom, . had his own vision of Ginevra, disem. and those whom God hath put tobodied, but yet visible; and he hears gether let no power on earth put her voice syllable his name as it used asunder-save under sanction of con. once to do on earth when they were cience, the controller and the legislahappy long ago. Whatever it is, it is tor whom all the peoples of the earth something blessed-something sent must obey-in order that they may from heaven. Too beautiful to be not perish but have everlasting life. any other being but Ginevra-her The grave, where husband and wife mortal or her inmortal self!

who lived in love come to lie at last,

a

more.

but we

is their marriage-bed, and its curtains she go with him after what she said will be drawn to let in the day. Them to Antonio ? death divorces not—though for a little

“ Never.

The grave itself has been bewhile there is a survivor among these

tween us. our shades, waiting for the reuniting night. Burial without death, relieved Then ensues an interview in Antonio's not this Ginevra from bonds her house, between him and Agolanti; husband had unhallowed; she brought

and of the husband it cannot be said them back with her from the vault- that the wife walked in her grave-clothes “ Consideration like an angel came, to her husband's house, beseeching to

And whipt th’offending Adam out of him ;'' be let in; and had not the fear that is in wickedness then dimmed Agolanti's

for he is, without change of an atom, cyes, he had seen it was a spirit yet

the old man.

Remorse he must have in the flesh; and had he taken her to his

felt, but he was incapable of penitence. bed, that bed might never again have

He is as much the prey as ever of all been so unhappy-it might have been

manner of mean suspicions, nor does a peaceful—in an awful gratitude, even single syllable of tenderness for Gi- . blest. “ Begone, thou horrid mock- nevra escape his lips. He had adorned, ery !”– and Ginevra was his wife no

indeed, the shrine “ with glorious

beams of painting and of gold;" but At the opening of Act Fifth, Gi.

no gratitude is in his heart now to the nevra has been five days in the care of

God of mercy and of judgment. He Antonio's mother.

is not ashamed to declare, that he be.

lieves Antonio has dishonoured his Rond. Five blessed days, and not a soul wife, even in her grave-clothes ! Knows what this house in its rich bosom Rond. 'Tis false. Be calm. Let both holds.

be calm, nor startle The man whom dear Diana bribed to secresy

Feminine ears with words. Wait in this For our sakes, is now secret for his own;

room, And here, our guest is taken for a kinswo- Here, on the left, awhile; I'll bring her

self Fled from a wealthy but a hated suitor, To look upon thy speech, if so it please Out of no hatred, haply, to myself; For which, as well as for her own sweet If not, my mother, sir, -you have heard sake,

of her, The servants love her, and will keep her From whom, so help me God, I never yet close.

Beheld her separate. She holds my mother's band, and loves her Ago. I demand

Rond. eyes; And yester evening she twice spake my

[Exeunt, name,

Antonio Meaning another's. Hence am I most

goes to Ginevra and tells her proud,

that her husband is in the house. Hence potent; hence, such bliss it is to love

Ron. I said not from him. You are shaken With smallest thought of being loved again,

Far more than you should be, being what That, though I know not how this heav'n

you are, on earth

And all hearts loving you. Can change to one still heavenlier, nor less

Gin.

Himself! holy,

Ron.

Himself. I am caught up, like saints in ecstasies,

His haughty neck yet stooping with that Above the ground;-tread air ;

night, the streets

Which smote his hairs half grey. Through which I pass, for swiftness of de

(She weeps.) light,

Gin. (aside.)

Alas !_Yet more And hugging to my secret heart one bosom.

Alas, that I should say it.-Not loud then ? I live, as though the earth held but two faces,

Ron. Only with your vows of refuge, And mine perpetually look’d on hers.

And those that stand betwixt his will and Agolanti has discovered her retreat,

power ; and comes to claim his wife. She is Else humble; nay, in tears, and seeking his, and he will have her; but will pardon,

man,

a

her ;

This way.

*

*

see not

Not angry?

ness

sorrow

it;

omens

me !

men

(Aside.) She's wrung to the core !-- With Gin.

To think of her grief is't ? and what grief ?

Will be to think of both. Oh, now, all riddles of the brart of love, Ron.

Oh, gentlest creature, When 'twould at once be generous, yet most If what I am about to say to thee mean;

Offend thee in the least, count it such made All truth, yet craft; a sacrifice, yet none; Risk all in foppery of supposed desert, As innocence may pity ; and show no sign And then be ready in anguish to cry out Of thy displeasure. Be but mute ; and At being believed, and thought the love it is, Martyr beyond all fres, renouncing heaven With as mute thanks shall resume common By very reason that none can so have earn'd words.

But if, in thy late knowledge of Antonio, Oh, if she pities him, and relents, and goes Thou hast seen nought, that, under happier Back to that house, let her yet weep for

And with all righteous sanction, might have Gin. When I said “ Never" to that hinder'd thee word “return,”

From piecing out bis nature's imperfections He had not sutfer'd thus; had not shown With thy sweet thoughts and hourly confi. sorrow;

dence, Was not bow'd down with a grey penitence. Reach him, oh reach, but for one blissful Sir, I would say, kind host-most kind of mument,

And to wake patience beautiful for ever, My friend and my preserver

Thy most true woman's hand.
Ron.
Say no more,

[She turns aside, and holds out to So you think well of me.

him her hand. Gin. I could say on,

My heart would drink it. And twenty times as much, so you would [He strains it with both hands think it

against his bosom. Best some day hence. Speak not.

Do thy worst, memory, now. We have Ron. Yes, honour bids me ;

known each other Honour, above all doubts, even of poor self, For twenty years in this. Your tears emWhether to gain or lose ;

- bids me say bravely,

Even to louk at me through their glittering Be wise, while generous-Guard the best veil,

And set me some sweet miserable task :Whoe’er that is ;-her peace—the rights of I understand ; yes, we'll go quietly, goodness

And you will let me keep this hand to the And vindication of the o'er-seeing heavens, door ? High above all wrong hearts,-his,-or We will walk thus. This little walk conmine own.

tains Gin. Although you call me “ best,” A life !—Might you say one word to me at who am not so,

parting ? I'll write that last and noblest admonition Gin. Antonio !-may your noble heart be Within the strongest memory of my soul, happy. For all our sakes. The way to him.

[She clasps her hands, and speaks Ron. One word.

with constant vehemence, looking My mother--she-- will see you again some

towards the audience. times

Alas! alas! Why was that one word utter'd In your lot's bettering from its former state, To bear down the last patience of my soul, As surely it must, your friends now know- And make me cry aloud to Heaven and ing all

misery ? He sad for all.

I am most miserable. I am a creature Gin. It is a help I look for.

That now for fifteen years, from childhood Ron. Her son-forgive him that at this upwards, last moment

Till this hard moment, when the heavens He makes this first and only mention of forbid it, him,

Have known not what it was to shed a tear, Since you vouchsafed to rest your troubles Which others, met with theirs. Therefore

bolden you

one's peace,

with us,

mine eyes

grow dry.

His first-his last ;-—may he too, as a

Did learn to hush themselves, and young, friend, Hope that a thought of him--a passing For my poor father knew not how I loved memory

him, Will sometimes mix with hers ?

Nor mother neither ; and my severe hus

me,

not say

very fear,

sorrow.

up,

Demanded love, not knowing lovingness. Col.

And twice thrust forth, And now I cry out wishing to be right, If she return to fright thee ? And being wrong ; and by the side of me Ago.

I've seen the page here : Weeps the best heart, which ought not so to Seen you ; guess at your women; and sball weep,

know And duty's self seems to turn round upon What hideous trap bas steep'd her soul in

blushus, And mock me ; by whose law nevertheless If she come not. Do I abide, and will I ; so pray Heaven Col. (going to d aw his sword.) Blush To keep me in my wits, and teach me beiter, in thy grave to say so. Turn me aside, sweet saints, and let me go.

Enter RondiNELLI with Ginevra, follow[While Rondinelli, who has fallen

ed by his Mother, OLYMPIA, DIANA, on his knee, is stretching his

Giulio, FIORDILISA, and Servants. hands towards her, the voices of AGOLANTI, COLONNA, and Da Ron. Forbear! an angel comes.

Take Riva, are heard in violent quar

her, and pray rel.

Just Heaven to make her happy as thyself. Gin. His voice! In anger too ? Did you Col. Antonio, thou art damn'd to think

it. See That he was calm ? Heart-stricken ?

Da Riva. He shrinks from her again in Ron.

He seem'd so. Gin. Perhaps is so, and they mistake his Which in his rage of vanity he'll avenge.

Ago. I hear not wbat they say, my poor There's mercy in it : for when danger Ginevra, comes,

Thinking of thee alone. -Come, bear thee Duty cries loudest. Ay, and here's the friend

And bravely, as thou dost. We'll leave Will not forsake me still, but bear me on, this placeRight where the trumpet of the angel calls. This way-S0--0[He speeds her out. Da Riva. Antonio, will you let him?

Think of herself.---'Tis none of yours this That scene is above our praise.

business, What law, human or divine, forbids

But the whole earth's. that the innocent_the religious—the Ron. She will not have me stay himresigned and the unhappy-should,

I dare not

-My own house too_ See, she before parting for ever in this world, be

goes with him. assured from each other's lips—which Da Riva. Call in the neighbours yet meet not even for a moment that

Col.

Do, there's a right soulsince on earth love may not unite their Tell all. lives, they hope to recognise one an- Ago. She's with me still! She's mine! other in heaven ?

Who stays us !

Olym. and Diana. Ginevra! sweetest SCENE THE LAST. .

friend!
Another Room in RONDINELLI's Ago. Who triumphs now ? Who laughs ?

House. AGOLANTI and COLONNA, Who mocks at pandars ?
in loud dispute, with their swords Cowards, and shameless women!

drawn, Da Riva interposing. Gin. (bursting away from him.) Loose Ago. I say

me, and hearken! Col.

What say you then ? Madness will crush my senses in, or speak :Da Riva.

Well, let him speak. The fire of the heavenward sense of my Ago. I say, that nothing upon eartb, no wrongs crowns me; insolence

The voice of the patience of a life cries out Col. House-coward ! Da Riva,

Hush ! Every thing warns me. I will not return. Ago.

Nor prudent friend I claim the judgment of most holy church. Col.

Still, coward ! I'll not go back to that unsacred house, Ago. Nor talk of law, nor threats of Where heavenly ties restrain not hellish church itself,

a

a

of me;

Drawing a wholesome tempest through the One, my dear friend, (io Da Riva.) Which streets;

was the corse to be ? And there, as close as bonded hands may Da Riva (looking at it.) There's not cling,

a heart here but will say, 'Twas he.' I'll hide, and pray for ever, to my grave.-

[Curtain falls. Come you, and you, and you, and help me walk.

And are we satisfied with the ca. Ago. Let her not stir. Nor dare to stir tastrophe? Yes. Agolanti, it is maone soul,

nifest, would have murdered her over Lest in the madness of my wrongs I smite again in a few months. There was ye.

madness in the family—we happen to Gin. (to AGOLANTI.) Look at me and

know there was-though Mr Hunt remember. Think how oft

does not seem to have heard it during I've seen as sharp a point turn’d on thyself his stay in Florence. The greater To fright me; how, upon a weaker breast;

glory to his genius for letting many And what a world of shames unmasculine

an outbreak of the old hereditary taint These woman's cheeks would have to burn in telling.-

appear in conduct attributed by him The white wrath festers in his face, and

to mere perversity--but mad he was,

and had he not been tickled in the then He's devilish.

midriff by Colonna, he would have Ron. Will you let her fall? She swoons.

ended his days in a lunatic asylum; [He catches her in his arms.

and, in that case, Ginevra must have Ago. (turning to kill him.) Where'er gone into a convent, and Antonio to she shall not go there.

the wars. Col. (intercepting him with his own If ever woman deserved to be happy

sword.) Dastard ! Strike at a man as a wife, Ginevra did ; and all Italy so pinion'd ?

could not have furnished a better husAgo. Die then for him! (Strikes band than her own Antonio. And at Colonna,)

happy they were--for a few yearsDiana and Olym. Help! Help! expiring not on the same day, but in

[The doors fly open, enter Giulio the same week,- Antonio being of a

followed by Officer and Guard. shortlived race, and Ginevra, no Giu. "'Tis here! Part them for mercy's wonder, having been all along in a sake.

rather delicate state of health, till one Col. Die thou! (He pierces him.) Da Riva. He's slain? What hast thou night, as her dying husband looked on

her face by the moonlight, he found done ? Col.

she was lying without breath in his The deed

she goes,