Comic Tragedies Part 24

Huon. Now, by yon moon 'neath which thy tender vows were plighted, do I swear to win thee, proud and haughty lady, to these arms. Thou shalt curse the day when thou didst cast away my love, and wake my deep revenge.

[_Exit_ Huon.

CURTAIN.

SCENE SECOND.

[_A cave in the forest._ Hilda _leaning over a boiling caldron. Enter_ Huon.]

Hilda. Ha! who art thou, and what wouldst thou with old Hilda? Speak, and be obeyed.

Huon. O mighty wizard, I have sought thee for a charm to win a proud and scornful woman's love,--some mystic potion that shall make her cold heart burn for me. Ah, give me this, and gold uncounted shall be thine.

Hilda. I will give to thee a draught that shall chase her coldness and her pride away, and make the heart now beating for another all thine own. Hold! 'tis here,--three crimson drops when mingled in her wine, will bring the boon thou askest [_gives_ Huon _a tiny phial_].

Huon. Oh, blessed draught that wins for me the love I seek. Proud Bianca, now art thou in my power, and shalt ere long return the love of the once hated and despised Huon. Great sorceress, say how can I repay thee? Fear not to claim thy just reward.

Hilda. I ask no gold. But when thy prize is won, remember thou old Hilda's warning. Woman's heart is a fragile thing, and they who trifle with it should beware. Now go; I would be alone.

Huon. Farewell! When my love and my revenge are won, I'll bless this hour and Hilda's charm.

[_Exit_ Huon.

Hilda. Poor fool! thou little thinkest thy love-charm is a deadly draught, and they who quaff it die. When thou shalt seek thy lady, hoping for her love, a dead bride thou wilt win. Ha! ha! old Hilda's spells work silently and well.

CURTAIN.

SCENE THIRD.

[_Room in the castle of_ Bianca. _Evening.

Enter_ Huon.]

Huon. How can I best give the draught that none may see the deed? Ha!

yonder comes her page, bearing wine. Now in her cup will I mingle these enchanted drops, and she shall smile on me when next I plead my suit.

Ho, Juan, my boy! come hither; I would speak with thee. [_Enter_ Juan _with wine._] Where is thy lady now?

Juan. At her lattice, watching for Lord Adelbert, and gazing on the flowers he hath sent.

Huon [_aside_]. She shall never watch and wait for him again. [_Aloud._]

Whence bearest thou the wine, Juan? Is it to thy lady?

Juan. Yes, my lord. She bid me haste. I must away.

Huon. Stay! clasp my sandal, boy; I will repay thee if thy mistress chide. [Juan _stoops;_ Huon _drops the potion into the wine cup._]

Thanks; here is gold for thee. Away, and tell thy lady I will be here anon.

[_Exit_ Juan.

Ha, ha! 'tis done! 'tis done!

My vengeance now is won, And ere to-morrow's sun shall set, Thou, haughty lady, shalt forget The lover who now hastes to thee, And smile alone, alone on me.

[_Exit_ Huon.

CURTAIN.

SCENE FOURTH.

[Bianca's _castle. A moonlit balcony.

Enter_ Bianca.]

Bianca. He comes not. Yon bright moon will ere long set, and still I hear not the dear voice 'neath my lattice singing. Adelbert! Ah, come!

Hist! I hear his light boat on the lake. 'Tis he! 'tis he! [_Leans over the balcony._]

[Adelbert _sings in the garden below._

The moon is up, wake, lady, wake!

My bark is moored on yonder lake.

The stars' soft eyes alone can see My meeting, dear one, here with thee.

Wake, dearest, wake! lean from thy bower, The moonlight gleams on tree and flower.

The summer sky smiles soft above; Look down on me, thou star of love!

Bianca. Adelbert, dear love, now haste thee quickly up to me.

[_Enter_ Adelbert _upon the balcony._

Adel. Sweet love, why fearest thou? None dare stay me when I fly to thee. Ah, sit thee here, and I will rest beside thee. [Bianca _seats herself;_ Adelbert _lies at her feet._]

Bianca. Thou art weary, love. I'll bring thee wine, and thou shalt rest while I do sing to thee. [_She gives him wine; he drinks._]

Adel. Thanks to thee, dearest love, I am weary now no longer. When here beside thee, pain, sorrow, time are all forgot. Ah! what is this?--a deadly pang hath seized me. All grows dark before mine eyes. I cannot see thee. Yon cup,--'twas poisoned! I am dying, dying!

Bianca. Ah, nay, thou art faint! Speak not of dying, love. [Adelbert _falls._] Adelbert, Adelbert, speak!--speak! It is thine own Bianca calls thee! [_Throws herself beside him._]

Adel. Farewell, dear love, farewell! Huon hath won his vengeance now.

G.o.d bless thee, dearest. Oh, farewell! [_Dies._]

Bianca. Awake! awake! All, cold and still! Thou true, brave heart, thou art hushed forever. Huon! yes! 'twas he; and he hath sought to win me thus. But 'tis in vain! Where is the poisoned cup that I may join thee, Adelbert? [_Takes the cup._] Ah, 'tis gone: there is no more. Yet I will be with thee, my murdered love. For me life hath no joy, and I will find thee even in death [_falls fainting to the ground_].

CURTAIN.

SCENE FIFTH.

[Bianca's _castle.