RAGOZIN, a servant corrupted by Glanville, Mr. Anderson.
SCENE, Sifroy's House, and an adjoining Wood.
TIME, that of the Action.
WHAT means this diffidence, this idle fear?
Have I not given thee proof my heart is thine ?
Proof that I mean to sanctify our joys
By sacred wedlock? Why then doubt my truth?
Why hesitate, why tremble thus to join
In deeds, which justice and my love to thee
Alone inspire? If we are one, our hopes,
Our views, our interests ought to be the same.
And canst thou tamely see this proud Sifroy
Triumphant lord it o'er my baffled rights?
Those late acquir'd demesnes, by partial hand
Consign'd to him, in equity are mine.
Isab. The story oft I've heard: yet sure Sifroy
Hath every legal title to that wealth
By will bequeath'd; and childless should he die,
The whole were thine. Wait then till time-
Glan. Art thou,
My Isabella, thou an advocate
For him whose hand, with felon-arts, with-holds
Those treasures which I covet but for thee?
Where is thy plighted faith?-thy vows ?-thy truth?
Isab. Forbear reproach!-O Glanville, love to thee
Hath robb'd me of my truth-seduc'd me on
From step to step, till virtue quite forsook me.
False if I am, 'tis to myself, not thee;
Thou hast my heart, and thou shalt guide my will,
Obedient to thy wishes.
This curst Sifroy stands in my fortune's way;
I must remove him.-Well I know his weakness-
His fiery temper favours my design,
And aids the plot that works his own undoing.
Yet whilst far off remov'd, he leads our troops,
The nation's doughty chief, he stands secure,
Beyond the reach of my avenging hand.
But this will force him home-I have convey'd,
By Ragozin his servant, whom I sent
On other business, letters which disclose
His wife's amour with Paulet.
Thou hast convinc'd, and I believe her false,
Think'st thou Sifroy will credit the report?
Will not remembrance of her seeming truth,
Her artful modesty, and acted fondness,
Secure the easy confidence of love?
Glan. I know it ought not. Weak must be the man Who builds his hopes on such deceitful ground. Paulet is young, not destitute of passion;
Her husband absent, they are oft together:
Then she hath charms to warm the coldest breast,
Melt the most rigid virtue into love,
And tempt the firmest friendship to be frail.
All this I've urg'd, join'd with such circumstance,
Such strong presumptive proof, as cannot fail
To shake the firm foundations of his trust.
This once accomplish'd, his own violence
And heated rage, will urge him to commit
Some desperate act, and plunge him into ruin.
Isab. But grant thou shouldst succeed, what will
Suppose him dead, doth he not leave an heir,
An infant son, that will prevent thy claim?
Glan. That bar were easily remov'd.-But soft,
Who's here? 'Tis Ragozin return'd.
Dear Ragozin? How did Sifroy receive
My letters Speak-My vast impatience would
Know all at once. What does his rage intend?
Rag. All you could wish. A whirlwind is but weak
To the wild storm that agitates his breast.
At first indeed he doubted-swore 'twas false-
Impossible-But as he read, his looks
Grew fierce; pale horror trembled on his cheek;
O she is vile!-It must, it must be so-
Glanville is just, is good, and scorns to wrong her-
I know his friendship, know his honest heart—
Then falling, sobb'd in speechless agony.
Glan. Good, very good!-I knew 'twould gall— proceed.
Rag. His smother'd grief at length burst forth in
He started from the floor -he drew his sword-
And fixing it with violence in my grasp
Plunge this, he cry'd, O plunge it in the heart
Of that vile traitor, Paulet !-Yet forbear-
That exquisite revenge my own right hand
Demands, nor will I give it to another!
This said-push'd on by rage, he to her sire
Dispatch'd a letter, opening to him all
Her crime, and his dishonour. This to you.
[Gives a letter.
Glan. How eagerly he runs into the toils,
Which I have planted for his own destruction !—
Dear Ragozin, success shall double all
My promises; and now we are embark'd,
We must proceed, whatever storms arise.
Isab. But read the letter.
[Glanville opens the letter and reads. "Tho' thou hast stabb'd me to the heart, I cannot "but thank thy goodness for the tender regard thou "hast shewn to my honour. The traitor Paulet shall
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