With boastful towering, dare the threatening bolt Ulrick. What?-oh, the storm!—My lord, Cath. [To Sir Rup.] Pray you, speak To the Countess-tell her she's in danger, there, Sir Rup. Madam Cath. Apace The storm comes on! 'Twill soon be over-head. Sir Rup. She is fond of you. Cath. Yes: but you marked her scorn of Huon, now? Sir Rup. Madam! madam! pray you, Come from beneath the trees. It lightens fast! A bolt may strike you, madam! Ulrick. The peril of the serf transfixes her! Her life, be sure, is only part of his! A common act of charity it were Command him thence. It is not right To leave her there! Go to her-take her thence! There's shelter, with less chance of penalty, Almost together came the clap and flash ! [Huon staggers from the tree-The Countess rushes to Coun. No! no! O Heaven, he's dead! Why would he stand Beneath the trees!-What, Huon! speak to me! Of life! Why, Huon! Huon!-He is dead! Coun. Indeed!-oh! ay! It was a heavy shock. I have a horror, As I did, Catherine, when they thought the lightning And here they come. Let's meet them, Catherine. [Is going, but stops, and turns to look at Huon. Ulrick. He still grows better, madam. Coun. Who, sir?-Oh, The serf!-Why, Catherine, where's your hawk ? Cath. I have lost him. Coun. I hope the lightning has not struck him. Come: We'll have fair weather yet. [Sir Conrad and Sir Otto take Huon and lead him off, the Countess watching. Ulrick. You see He is unhurt. Coun. My lord !-I see-You take Great interest in my serf. The sun is out: My hawk against the field! Come, Catherine. [All go out L. except Frederick and Ulrick. Ulrick. [L. You see, my lord; and seeing, comprehend. Straight will I to the Duke, and tell him this. A kingdom to a hawk, she loves the serf! [Exeunt, severally. END OF ACT II. ACT III. SCENE I.-A Chamber in the Castle. Enter DUKE and ULRICK, L. Duke. She loves the serf? Impossible! 'Tis true. Duke. It cannot be ! Her pride alone Ulrick. She loves the serf. Duke. Give me some reason stronger than averment. Ulrick. What, my liege, But love, such contradiction could beget? When did cold scorn look, speak, and act like love? More than by habits, which may be put on ; That inmost thoughts are shown. With care for him, Duke. You are right. 'Tis the solution of the mystery, That with the progress of the season, comes not Now longer past than some would choose to own- Ulrick. Was't not strange? Duke. Not to consider him as I did. Duke. When the serf was but a boy→→ His mistress then an infant-taken with His forward parts, I put them to the test Nor stopped I there; but, as he grew to manhood, Wherein our youths of gentle blood indulge- Duke. Instructor first, Then page and secretary to my child. Ulrick. Instructor, didst thou say? Companion of Her hours of privacy? Her age was then Duke. Twelve, if I err not.-Yes: Twelve times I then Had blessed the day that gave my daughter birth. Ulrick. Her spring was mellowing into summer then, Young summer! at whose genial glow, the heart Finds wishes and affections shooting up.― She prospered with his aid? Duke. Oh, wondrously! Ulrick. And loved at first her tutor? Duke. Much; but soon A change, which grew with her, the nearer she Of high address wherein he matched the noble, Ulrick. Which he endured for love! Duke. He dies! That ends it. Perhaps. Beware, sir, of a tragedy * So deep. Her scorn may melt at it, and help She weeps her life away. You must not play Duke. He shall to exile, [Crosses, L. Thousands of miles away, 'midst snows and deserts! Ulrick. So may you tempt her, sir, with pity for him, To turn a pilgrim-take up staff and scrip, And follow him. Duke. Impossible! Ulrick. Oh, never did achievement rival Love's For daring enterprise and execution. It will do miracles; "attempt such things "As make ambition, fiery as it is, "Dull plodding tameness, in comparison. "Talk of the miser's passion for his store"'Tis milk and water to the lover's, which "Defies the mines of earth and caves of ocean "To match its treasure!" Talk of height, breadth, depth, There is no measure for the lover's passion, No bounds to what 'twill do! Duke. Advise me, then, What's best. Ulrick. Induce the serf to marry. That Were cure, in the end, for your fair daughter's passion : For, doubt not, though she ne'er espouses him, As that he ne'er shall pillow with another. Duke. 'Tis done. I have a bride for him at once. One of his class, enfranchised by the will Of my cousin, who preceded me: But say I wed the serf to Catherine, What profit, then? My child may still persist To keep her virgin state. Ulrick. I should commit To Heaven the election of her husband;-let Now many a year, and momentarily Expect his summons, pray you keep by me For on your wisdom I have all reliance. |