Lover's Vows Part 15

FREDERICK. Baron Wildenhaim.

[The Baron's emotion expresses the sense of amazement, guilt, shame, and horror.]

FREDERICK. In this house did you rob my mother of her honour;; and in this house I am a sacrifice for the crime. I am your prisoner--I will not be free--I am a robber--I give myself up.--You _shall_ deliver me into the hands of justice--You shall accompany me to the spot of public execution. You shall hear in vain the chaplain's consolation and injunctions. You shall find how I, in despair, will, to the last moment, call for retribution on my father.

BARON. Stop! Be pacified--

FREDERICK. --And when you turn your head from my extended corse, you will behold my weeping mother--Need I paint how her eyes will greet you?

BARON. Desist--barbarian, savage, stop!

Enter Anhalt alarmed.

ANHALT. What do I hear? What is this? Young man, I hope you have not made a second attempt.

FREDERICK. Yes; I have done what it was your place to do. I have made a sinner tremble [points to the Baron and exit.]

ANHALT. What can this mean?--I do not comprehend--

BARON. He is my son!--He is my son!--Go, Anhalt,--advise me--help me--Go to the poor woman, his mother--He can show you the way--make haste--speed to protect her--

ANHALT. But what am I to----

BARON. Go.--Your heart will tell you how to act. [Exit Anhalt.]

[Baron distractedly.] Who am I? What am I? Mad--raving--no--I have a son--A son! The bravest--I will--I must--oh! [with tenderness.] Why have I not embraced him yet? [increasing his voice.] why not pressed him to my heart? Ah! see--[looking after him]--He flies from the castle--Who's there? Where are my attendants? [Enter two servants].

Follow him--bring the prisoner back.--But observe my command--treat him with respect--treat him as my son--and your master. [Exit.

END ACT IV.

ACT V.

SCENE I. Inside of the Cottage (as in Act II).

AGATHA, COTTAGER, and his WIFE discovered.

AGATHA. Pray look and see if he is coming.

COTTAGER. It is of no use. I have been in the road; have looked up and down; but neither see nor hear any thing of him.

WIFE. Have a little patience.

AGATHA. I wish you would step out once more--I think he cannot be far off.

COTTAGER. I will; I will go. [Exit.

WIFE. If your son knew what heaven had sent you, he would be here very soon.

AGATHA. I feel so anxious----

WIFE. But why? I should think a purse of gold, such as you have received, would make any body easy.

AGATHA. Where can he be so long? He has been gone four hours. Some ill must have befallen him.

WIFE. It is still broad day-light--don't think of any danger.--This evening we must all be merry. I'll prepare the supper. What a good gentleman our Baron must be! I am sorry I ever spoke a word against him.

AGATHA. How did he know I was here?

WIFE. Heaven only can tell. The servant that brought the money was very secret.

AGATHA [to herself]. I am astonished! I wonder! Oh! surely he has been informed--Why else should he have sent so much money?

Re-enter Cottager.

AGATHA. Well!--not yet!

COTTAGER. I might look till I am blind for him--but I saw our new Rector coming along the road; he calls in sometimes. May be, he will this evening.

WIFE. He is a very good gentleman; pays great attention to his paris.h.i.+oners; and where he can a.s.sist the poor, he is always ready.

Enter Mr. ANHALT.

ANHALT. Good evening, friends.

BOTH. Thank you, reverend Sir.

[They both run to fetch him a chair].

ANHALT. I thank you, good people--I see you have a stranger here.

COTTAGER. Yes, your Reverence; it is a poor sick woman, whom I took in doors.

ANHALT. You will be rewarded for it. [to Agatha.] May I beg leave to ask your name?

AGATHA. Ah! If we were alone----

ANHALT. Good neighbours, will you leave us alone for a few minutes? I have something to say to this poor woman.

COTTAGER. Wife, do you hear? Come along with me. [Exeunt Cottager and his Wife.]

ANHALT. Now----

AGATHA. Before I tell you who I am, what I am, and what I was----I must beg to ask----Are you of this country?

ANHALT. No--I was born in Alsace.

AGATHA. Did you know the late rector personally, whom you have succeeded?