Sif. No more————— -You are too warm. Osm. You are too cool. Sif. I wish Earl Osmond were as cool as I To his own selfish bliss-ay, and as warm -But of this no more To that of others My daughter is thy wife-I gave her to thee, -The king, to-morrow, Will set you free; and, if by gentle means Osm. It does-Forgive my heat! My rankled mind, my injuries inflamed, The wisest mind-But henceforth, noble Osmond, Soon as to-morrow's dawn shall streak the skies, [Exit SIFFREDI. Osm. My lord, good night. [After a long pause.] I like him not—— Yes-I have mighty matter of suspicion. I will convince him, that Earl Osmond never I will bear her off This night, and lodge her in a place of safety: Hence! let me lose no time-One rapid moment The mine is laid, And only wants my kindling touch to spring. [Exit. SCENE II. SIGISMUNDA'S Apartment. Enter SIGISMUNDA and LAURA. Laura. Heavens! 'tis a fearful night! Sig. Ah! the black rage [Thunder. Of midnight tempest, or th' assuring smiles Laura. Madam, indeed I know not how to go. [Thunder. Sig. Oh, that the fires Of pitying Heaven would point their fury here! What this oppression means-But 'tis with pain, [Exit. Sig. I said I did not fear-Ah me, I feel How pass this dreadful night, so big with terror?— [Sitting down. A prey to dire despair, and ceaseless weep The hours away-Bless me!-I heard a noise [Starting up. No-I mistook-nothing but silence reigns, And awful midnight round-Again !-Oh, Heavens! My lord, the king! Enter TANCred. Tan. Be not alarm'd, my love! Sin. My royal lord, why at this midnight hour, How came you hit her? Tan. By that secret way My love contrived, when we, in happier days, Sig. Why will you thus persist to add new stings To her distress, who never can be thine? Oh, fly me! fly! you know. Tan. I know too much. Oh, how I could reproach thee, Sigismunda! But now the time permits not, these swift moments— Forced me to seem perfidious in thy eyes. E'er since-a dreadful interval of care! My thoughts have been employ'd, not without hope, How to defeat Siffredi's barbarous purpose. But thy credulity has ruin'd all; Thy rash, thy wild-I know not what to name it- Sig. Ah, generous Tancred! ah, thy truth destroys Yes, yes, 'tis I, 'tis I alone am false ! Now is thy turn of vengeance-hate, renounce me! Sig. But you, my lord, must make that great ef fort Tan. Can Sigismunda make it? Sig. Ah, I know not With what success-But all that feeble woman I to the utmost will exert to do it. Tan. Oh, barbarous Sigismunda! And canst thou talk thus steadily! thus treat me The breath of vanity, can bear to see The man, whose heart was once so dear to thine, The world shall even approve; each honest bosom Swell'd with a kindred joy to see us happy. Sig. The world approve! what is the world to me? The conscious mind is its own awful worldAnd mine is fix'd.-Distress me, then, no more; Not all the heart can plead (and it, alas, Pleads but too much) Shall ever shake th' unalterable dictates Tan. 'Tis well-No more— I yield me to my fate-Yes, yes, inhuman! Oh, leave me! fly me! were it but in pity!— my heart They tear it so, they pierce it with such anguishOh, 'tis too much!-I cannot bear the conflict! Enter OSMOND. Osm. Turn, tyrant, turn! and answer to my ho nour, For this thy base, insufferable outrage! Tan. Insolent traitor! think not to escape Thyself my vengeance! [They fight, OSMOND falls. Sig. Help, here! help!-Oh, Heavens! [Throwing herself down by him. Alas, my lord, what meant your headlong rage? That faith, which I this day, upon the altar, To you devoted, is unblemish'd, pure |