So long, no minute lose, but take occasion When her young heart is softened, and will mould To break to her, on this particular head, My dying testament. Ulrick. I shall remember. Duke. So please you, I shall join you with the Liege lady and good cousin to my child, Executor. Ulrick. I will discharge the trust. Duke. My lord, send Huon to me. empress, Question not, Advise me not. He marries, or he dies. [Exit Ulrick, L. To sigh that being has been spent in vain Huon! Huon. My lord? Enter HUON, R. Duke. I have been thinking of thee. Huon. My lord is ever good. Duke. I have a notion 'Twould profit thee to marry. Huon. Marry! Duke. Yes. Huon. I first must love. Duke. And hast thou never loved? Why art thou silent? Wherefore holds thy tongne Duke. It talks! A flush passed o'er it as I spoke to thee: friend, 66 Thou first must love"-My Thou art in love already. Art thou not? Art thou not, Huon ?-Never mind, but keep Thy secret. I have fixed that thou shalt marry. Duke. [Interrupting him.] I know it will advantage thee. And I have looked around my court to find A partner for thee, and I have lit on one. Huon. [More earnestly.] My lord Duke. [Interrupting him again.] She has beauty, Huon, she has wealth; And what doth qualify her better still As of unequal matches discords grow She's of thy own class, Huon-she is a serf. Huon. [Impetuously.] My lord Duke. [Interrupting, indignantly.] My serf!-How now! Wouldst thou rebel? Huon. Rebel, my lord! Duke. I trust I was deceived: I did not see defiance in thine eye, And hear it on thy tongue? Thou wouldst not dare So much as harbour wish to thwart thy lord, Much less intent? Thou know'st him! know'st thyself! Thou may'st have scruples-that thou canst not help; But thou canst help indulging them in the face Of thy lord's will. And so, as 'tis my will Thou marry straight, and I have found thy match, And thou shalt sign it, Huon. Huon. That I were dead! Oh, what is death, compared to slavery! [Writes. "Brutes may bear bondage-they were made for it, "When Heaven set men above them; but no mark, "Definite and indelible, it put Upon one man to mark him from another, “That he should live his slave ?" Oh, heavy curse! But call his mood their master! Why was I born Duke. Here, Huon, sign, And Catherine is your wife. Duke. How now, my serf! Huon. My lord, I am a man : And as a man, owe duty higher far Than that I owe to thee, which Heaven expects That I discharge. Didst thou command me murder, Steal, commit perjury, or even lie, Should I do it, though thy serf? No! To espouse her, Not loving her, were murder of her peace. I will not sign for that! With like default To compass mastery of her effects, Were robbery. I will not sign for that! To swear what I must swear to make her mine, Duke. How, slave! Huon. Oh, good my liege, My lord, my master, ask me not to sign! [Crosses, R. My sweat, my blood, use without sparing; but Coerce me not in that, Leave me my heart-a miserable one Although it be! To make me do the thing my heart abhors! [The Duke draws his sword, and resolutely approaches Duke. Huon, I love thee, And would not do thee harm, unless compelled. Take, Huon. Death! [Falls on his knees, opens his vest, takes the point of the Duke's sword and places it opposite his heart. Set here thy point: 'Tis right against my heart! Press firm and straight; The more, the kinder! Duke. As thou wishest death, I will not kill thee for thy disobedience. An hour I grant for calm reflection :—use it. [A pause. Our felons throng The galleys: but 'tis hard, or we shall find Huon. My lord, come back! Exit, L. My lord! What now's my mind, be sure 'twill be lord! He does not hear, or will not. Of most insufferable misery, Most sweet cause Would'st thou not weep at this? Couldst thou look on, And keep pride sitting in thy woman's eye The proper throne of pity-which for me, The melting queen has yet refused to fill, But to a stern usurper all abandoned! Wouldst thou not weep? "Or would my name alone— "My sole condition set 'gainst all myself; "The vivid thoughts, the feelings sensitive, "The quick affections, passions of a man, "Despite his misery of birthright; flesh, "Warm, warm; of as high vitality as though "His lot had been an heirdom to a throne“Would that, prevailing 'gainst such odds as these, "Prevent thee?" Yes! Thou wouldst not weep for me. Oh, knew I what would make thee! Would my corpse ? Then to my father! own my passion for thee, Tell him his serf aspires to love his daughter, Boasts of it, though he sends him to the galleys, Will glory in it, chained beside the felon, Ay, with the tasker's whip whirling above him, Reiterate it, when he threatens me, And when again he threatens, justify it, On the broad rights of common human nature, Till with his own hand he transfixes me! [Following the Duke, L. Countess. [Interposing.] Stop, Huon!-What's the mat ter? Huon. Huon-Huon! Didst thou say Huon-and with gentleness? Madam-my mistress-I am your slave!-I am nothing But the poor serf! Coun. See if that door is free From list'ners. Huon. [Goes to the door, L., and returns.] There is no one here. Coun. Now, what's the matter With my father and you ? Huon. He bade me sign that paper, And I refused. Coun. What is it? Let me see it. Huon. [Hands the paper and watches the Countess while she reads.] How her eye fastens on the writing seems To grasp it, as her hand the paper! What! Did she start? She did! Oh, wherefore ?—What is this? Her sweet face that just now was all a calm, Show signs of brooding tempest! Yes, 'tis on Lowers on her brow, and flashes on her cheek, Like cloud and lightning. How her bosom heaves ! What makes it heave? [She drops the paper.] She has let the paper drop, |