Save when vexatious cares have troubled me, Contarino. Pausing there, T' inhale the balmy fragrance of the breeze, Sforza. A sigh, indeed! A whisper of the wind-And was that all? Contarino. I started back, for in that lonely place, I know not how, I felt afraid, for I Have heard that spirits Sforza. Pshaw!-And was that all? Contarino. My Lord, if you'll allow me to proceedSforza. Well, Sir, speak on. Contarino. A voice, then, broke On my attentive ear. Sforza. How-what-who Who could have dar'd thus to profane my groves Contarino. My Lord, I fear Sforza. Speak quickly, Sir, for I- Sforza. Whom? Contarino. The Princess Julia, In conversation with some stranger, and, Sforza. A man! Contarino. Yes, such, my Liege, In amorous conference; and kisses sweet Sforza. Knew'st thou the man? Contarino. I did, my Liege: 'twas young Gonzaga, Now tarrying in your court. Sforaz. But art thou sure? I scarce can credit Contarino. Believe it, Prince; I would, indeed, 'twere false ! Sforza. Then curse upon her! So young, yet so deceitful, I did think Contarino. He is her equal! He is the son of Foscari. Sforza. Thank ye, heavens! I thank ye for this opportunity Of crushing his vile race!-A glorious prospect Contarino. Well I knew his face, For I was at his father's oft when lastased coy hypodt i He straight became enamour'd, and procured Her miniature, with which his heated mind 550 or und With the mere picture, when at bright Milan 24 sea To leave his father, and set out, unknown, a To whom his heart was pledg'd; and hither came, Was left to weep for his lov'd son's return. t Sforza. Didst thou not gather from their stolen talk, Contarino. I did, my lord, Gonzaga said, Diminishing away-when nought is heard "But the soft voice of music gently movings së pol "Over the surface of the trembling wave, Calling thee to remember love and me." "I will not fail thee," said the princess," then." Sforza. Ha! is it so? then they shall have, by heaven, A witness little look'd for, Contarino. Mark that thou meet'st me, then, beside the tow'r, We may steal on them and be auditors: Of their love-converse. Then will I determine Contarino. I will be there, my Lord. SCENE II. A Street in Milan. [Exeunt, separately. Pisani. Hail to thee, friend! Methinks thy looks to-day Are not so blithe as heretofore what news! From Venus' busy court hath anger'd thee?stanla yal 2 Have grown as ireful as the Gorgon's sconce, una var! I Vitelli. By heaven's bright face, And Julia's too, thou hast not augur'd ill; For unaccustom'd as I am to brook The scornful airs of beauty, I did feel Last night, when at the ball, the flippant princess lab Did leave me for her minion Gonzaga, A something worse than torture. Pisani. (laughing). What, Vitelli ? Poor jealous soul! art thou at last, then, struck ?AKAN My grounds for slight, which I shall ne'er forget; When on my knees I woo'd her haughty glance, Such and so great affront I ne'er receiv'd. Vitelli. But why should we ourselves disquiet thus? Let us cast off the galling marks of scorn, And tear them from our minds, leaving them all We are not gallants of the rank that you [Exeunt PISANI and VITELLI. Gonzaga. There go two courtiers, true as ever wore Their ensigns on their brow---two precious fools, Who love their own dear selves too well to need The armour that repels the darts of love. Vicenti. Weak as they are, my lord, they've yet the pow'r To harm your purposes; for the fell asp, Small as it was, could wound the beauteous breast Lov'd of Mark Anthony. Gonzaga. I fear them not; They are too weak to do me injury. Vicenti. But they have yet the will---O my Let To hasten back to Venice, and your father, dear prince, Whose aged eyes are almost blind with weeping Gonzaga. My good Vicenti, Thinkest thou this absence from my home delights me, Eur. Mag. Vol. 82. R Nantes Nor will that absence be lamented by him¡A „031012 When the world's paragon, my lovely Julia, on od dìxH Vicenti. But know you not what perils here await you, Must not be thought of, was the golden fleeces [Exeunt VICENT Gonzaga. Delightful Julia! fairest of thy sex hue Yet not so comfortless, still ever prompt to grant From the rude gales that might perchance destroy it. With rapture and with transport to my love. [Exeur SCENE III.-The Garden, as before described.→→→Moonlight. Enter SFORZA and CONTARINO2H1C1 5AW Sforza. This was the place? Sforza. Here will I wait until they come, as waits Behind the bush, and marks his prey approaching; So that he gain his destin'd victim's blood, of atleath 'Gainst Foscari's cursed race ?15 d w Jaivrati a Venice, and Foscari, all. Contarino. Why so, my Lord? In 9612A 46.00h, a tedi Hardi tori Sforza. And dost thou ask, thou ask that foolish question? Contarino. And can you purpose So shallow a revenge, as to destroy He has a friend with him, who will, no doubt, Sforza. No, Contarino, That would be compensation small indeed, Contarino. But hist, my Lord, their footsteps now approach :- (They retire.) Julia. How still is all the scene! See, where the moon And think of deeds of bloodshed, were, methinks, Is thy clear beam. Isabella. To you, my honour'd Lady, Such contemplations may be profitable, And think of nothing but the midnight ruffian, Julia. Hark! I hear his tread. GONZAGA without. Gonzaga. Wait, good Vicenti, until I return.→→ Health to thee, my sweet Julia! Never bent Nor think that my affection glows less warmly; (Enters,) |