The Count of Narbonne Part 13

_Count._ She dies in prayer for me; Prays for me, while her life streams from my stroke.

What prayers can rise for such a wretch as I am?

Seize me, ye fiends! rouse all your stings and torments!

See, h.e.l.l grows darker as I stalk before them.

_Theod._ [_After looking some time at ADELAIDE's Body._]

'Tis my black destiny has murder'd thee.

Stand off--[_They hold him._] I will not live.

This load of being is intolerable; And, in a happier world, my soul shall join her.

[_Rushes out._

_Aust._ Observe, and keep him from all means of death.

_Enter COUNTESS, FABIAN, and other ATTENDANTS._

_Countess._ Whence were those cries? what meant that fearful bell?

Who shall withhold me? I will not return.

Is there a horror I am stranger to?

_Aust._ There is; and so beyond all mortal patience, I can but wish you stripp'd of sense and thought, That it may pa.s.s without destroying you.

_Countess._ What is it? speak--

_Aust._ [_Looking towards the Body._] Turn not your eyes that way, For there, alas----

_Countess._ O Lord of earth and heaven!

Is it not she? my daughter, pale and bleeding!

She's cold, stark cold:--can you not speak to me?

Which of you have done this?

_Count._ 'Twas ease till now; Fall, fall, thick darkness, hide me from that face!

_Aust._ Rise, madam, 'tis in vain.--Heaven comfort her!

_Countess._ Shall I not strive to warm her in my breast?

She is my all; I have nothing left but her.

You cannot force me from her. Adelaide!

My child, my lovely child! thy mother calls thee.

She hears me not;--she's dead.--Oh, G.o.d! I know thee-- Tell me, while I have sense, for my brain burns; Tell me--yet what avails it? I'll not curse-- There is a Power to punish.

_Count._ Look on me!

Thou hadst much cause to think my nature cruel; I wrong'd thee sore, and this was my last deed.

_Countess._ Was thine? thy deed? Oh, execrable monster!

Oh, greatly worthy of thy blood-stain'd sire!

A murderer he, and thou a parricide!

Why did thy barbarous hand refrain from me?

I was the hated bar to thy ambition; A stab like this, had set thee free for ever; Sav'd thee from shame, upbraiding, perjuries;-- But she--this innocent--what had she done?

_Count._ I thank thee. I was fool enough, or coward, To think of life one moment, to atone By deep repentance for the wrongs I did thee.

But hateful to myself, hated by thee; By Heaven abandon'd, and the plague of earth, This, this remains, and all are satisfied.

[_Stabs himself._

Forgive me, if 'tis possible--but--oh--

[_Dies._

_Countess._ [_After looking some time distractedly._]-- Where am I? Ruin, and pale death surround me.

I was a wife; there gasping lies my husband!

A mother too; there breathless lies my child!

Look down, oh Heaven! look down with pity on me!-- I know this place; I'll kneel once more. Hear me, great G.o.d of Nature!

For this one boon let me not beg in vain; Oh, do not mock me with the hopes of death; These pangs, these struggles, let them be my last; Release thy poor, afflicted, suffering creature; Take me from misery, too sharp to bear, And join me to my child!

[_Falls on the Body of ADELAIDE._

_Aust._ Heaven comfort thee!-- Hard was your lot, thou lovely innocent; But palms, eternal palms, above shall crown you.

For this rash man,--yet mercy's infinite,

[_The COUNT._

You stand amaz'd. Know, this disastrous scene, Ending the fatal race, concludes your sorrows.

To-morrow meet me round this sacred shrine; Then shall you hear at full a tale of wonder; The rightful Lord of Narbonne shall be own'd; And Heaven in all its ways be justified.

[_Curtain falls._

THE END.