The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor Part 12

Pull away, pull away! row, boys, row A long pull, a strong pull, and off we go.

Hark how the neighbouring convent bell!

Throws o'er the waves its vesper swell; Sullen it bomes from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Blending its chime with the dash of the oar.

Pull away, pull away! row, boys, row!

A long pull, a strong pull, and off we go.

SCENE II-- _An apartment in the Caprara palace._

The _viceroy_ enters, followed by _Hortensia_ and the _Marquis_; a servant attending.

_Hor._ Nay, but in truth, my dear brother, this is carrying your prejudice too far. What! refuse to endure, for a single half hour, father Clestino in your presence, merely because his countenance and manner happen not to be exactly to your taste?

_Vic._ His conversation is as little to my taste as his manner and countenance: he uses too much honey to please my palate!-- surely, if there is one thing more odious than another, tis your eternal maker of compliments; one who lies in wait for opportunities of thrusting down your throat his undesired applause; and who compels you to bow in return for his nauseous civilities, till he makes your neck feel almost as supple as his own.

_Hor._ You know no ill of him.----

_Vic._ I know him to be a flatterer: what would you more?

_Hor._ Well, I protest, it never struck me that he flattered.

_Vic._ Very likely; and yet my good sister, it's possible that he might be flattering, while to you he appeared so be speaking the pure simple truth.

_Hor._ However, if not for his own sake, at least endure him for mine.

He is my friend; you are now the chief person in the island; and should you compel me to reject his offered visit, such a mark of contempt from the viceroy of Sicily might injure the good prior in the world's opinion.

_Vic._ If the good prior be in fact as good as you a.s.sert, the contempt of the viceroy of Sicily or of any other viceroy, must be to him a matter of the most absolute indifference. However, be it as you please.

_Hor._ I thank you; (_to the servant_) the prior's visit will be welcome.

[Servant bows, and Exit.

_Hor._ Ah! did you but know the good man's heart as well as I do, this unreasonable dislike----

_Vic._ Unreasonable? ah! Hortensia; have we not all then reasons but too strong for abhorring the sight of this Clestino? was it not his advice, which induced you to place Josepha in that fatal convent?

_Mar._ Right, right, Benvolio; twas his advice, twas his alone.

_Hor._ I do not deny it; but I appeal to yourself, marquis, whether he gave not good reasons for that advice? the dangers of the voyage-- the inclement season-- ah! had Josepha lived, perhaps the example of that holy sisterhood might have weaned her heart from worldly follies, and inspired----

_Mar._ (_surprised_) How, Hortensia! I hope that in placing your daughter in that convent, no views concealed from me-- (Hortensia _looks confused_)

The servant ushers in the _prior_, and retires.

_Pri._ Humbly I bend in salutation to this ill.u.s.trious company! will the lady marchioness deign to confirm my hopes, that at length she begins to bear her afflictions with some serenity?

_Hor._ Thanks to your pious exhortations, father, I am at least resigned; more shall I never answer-- for my heart is broken.

_Pri._ Little as I dare flatter myself, that a poor monk's congratulations can be acceptable to your excellency, I cannot refrain from expressing my joy at your newly acquired dignity. But it is not the count Benvolio, whom I congratulate on being appointed governor of Sicily; tis Sicily, on being governed by the count Benvolio.

_Vic._ I am perfectly aware, reverend sir, that the high-flown elegance of that compliment can only be equalled by its sincerity; believe me no less sincere, when I a.s.sure you on my honour, that my grat.i.tude for your approbation bears an exact proportion to the pleasure experienced by yourself at my appointment.

_Pri._ (_bowing_) More can I not desire. Yet must I excuse myself for intruding into your presence at a moment when fraternal attachment must needs make you wish to be undisturbed: but the claims of compa.s.sion admit of no delay, and my heart is ever too weak to resist the entreaties of a sufferer. My n.o.ble lord and lady, I bring to you the request of an unfortunate youth-- of Venoni.

_All._ (_eagerly_) Venoni?

_Pri._ His noviciate is nearly expired; tomorrow he will p.r.o.nounce his vows.

_Mar._ Unhappy youth!

_Vic._ Tomorrow?

_Pri._ But ere he renounces the world for ever, he intreats permission to take leave of those dear and ill.u.s.trious persons, who once did not disdain to look upon him as their son.

_Hor._ (_greatly agitated_) No, no! I cannot-- I dare not----

_Vic._ (_seriously_) Sister-- Venoni must not be refused.

_Pri._ Reflect, dear lady; the ear of true piety is never closed against the sighs of the wretched. The poor youth is already in the palace, and--

_Vic._ (_eagerly_) Already here?-- where, where is he?

_Mar._ Who waits? (_servant enters_) signor Venoni-- conduct him hither instantly, away!

[Exit servant.

_Pri._ (_observing the viceroy's emotion_) Ah! my good lord, what a heart have you for friends.h.i.+p! happy, thrice happy he whose worth or whose misfortunes can inspire you with such interest and such zeal!

(_The viceroy answers by a gesture of contemptuous impatience_)

_Venoni_, in the habit of a novice, pale, wild, and haggard, enters, conducted by the servant, who retires.

_Vice._ } _together._ { My friend!

_Mar._ } { My son!

(_hastening to receive him_)

_Venoni._ (_embracing them with a melancholy smile_) I am permitted then to see you once more-- you, whom I have ever loved so truly-- you, the only ones who are still dear to me in the world! (_he sees Hortensia; his countenance becomes disturbed, and he shudders: then recovering himself, he bows humbly, but with a look of gloom, and addresses her in a lowered voice, with much respect_) n.o.ble lady, can you pardon this intrusion? I fear the sight of one so lost, so wretched--

_Hor._ (_embarra.s.sed_) Venoni can never be unwelcome. I have not forgotten-- I never shall forget-- that there was a time when-- that had I not hoped to make my child adopt--

_Pri._ (_interrupting her hastily_) Dear lady, compose yourself: your extreme sensibility overpowers you.

_Vice._ But answer me, Venoni; why is it that I see you in this habit?

_Mar._ Wherefore renounce the world? wherefore adopt a resolution so desperate, so extreme? your country has a right to your services, and--

_Pri._ My n.o.ble lords, when the voice of religion calls an unfortunate to her bosom--

_Venoni._ The voice of religion! no, father, no! the voice which has called me, is the voice of despair, my friends. I have lost every thing, every thing! and what then have I to do with the world? they who would serve their country, must possess strength of mind and health of body: mine have both yielded to the pressure of calamity! they who would serve their country, must possess their reason in full force and clearness: my reason-- it is gone, quite gone! despairing pa.s.sion has deranged all my ideas, has ruined all my faculties-- I now have left but one sentiment, one feeling, one instinct-- and that one is love!