Sig. Away, my friend; You flatter-yet the dear delusion charms. Laura. No, Sigismunda, 'tis the strictest truth, Nor half the truth, I tell you. Even with fondness My brother talks for ever of the passion That fires young Tancred's breast. So much it strikes him, He praises love as if he were a lover. In lavish bounty form'd the heart for love; Of honour, virtue, friendship, purest bliss- Laura. Then his pleasing theme He varies to the praises of your lover. Sig. And what, my Laura, says he on that subject? Laura. He says, that though he were not nobly born, Nature has form'd him noble, generous, brave. He in his graceful character observes; That though his passions burn with high impatience, And sometimes, from a noble heat of nature, Are ready to fly off, yet the least check Of ruling reason brings them back to temper, Sig. True, Oh, true, Rodolpho! Blest be thy kindred worth for loving his! All quick heroic ardour! Go on, my friend, go on, and ever praise him : Is never flatter'd with such dear enchantment, She hears the praises of the man she loves! Enter SIFFREDI. Sif. [To an ATTENDANT.] Lord Tancred Is found? Attend. My lord, he quickly will be here. Sif. 'Tis well-retire [Exit ATTENDANT.]-You too, my daughter, leave me. Sig. I go, my father-But how fares the King? Sif. He is no more-Gone to that awful state, Where kings the crown wear only of their virtues. Sig. How bright must then be his!-This stroke is sudden; He was this morning well, when to the chase Sif. 'Tis true. But at his years, Death gives short notice-Drooping nature then, His death, my daughter, was that happy period, Were all discharged :-Calm as the evening skies A pleasing weariness of mortal joy, Fell on his soul, and down he sunk to rest. lord Sif. For what, my daughter?-But, with such emotion, Why did you start at mention of Count Tancred? Sig, Nothing-I only hoped the dying King Might mean to make some generous, just provision, For this your worthy charge, this noble orphan. Sif. And he has done it largely-Leave me nowI want some private conference with Lord Tancred. [Exeunt SIGISMUNDA and LAURA. My doubts are but too true-a mutual passion My fix'd resolve- -Perish the selfish thought, Tan. My Lord Siffredi, in your looks I read, Confirmed, the mournful news that fly abroad From tongue to tongue-We, then, at last, have lost The good old King Sif. Yes, we have lost a father! The greatest blessing Heaven bestows on mortals, A good, a worthy king! Tan. A general face of grief o'erspreads the city. I mark'd the people, as I hither came, In crowds assembled, struck with silent sorrow, . Along the streets; and, from the lonely court Sif. Noble youth! I joy to hear from thee these just reflections, Worthy of riper years.-But if they seek Constantia, trust me, they mistake their course. Tan. How! Is she not, my lord, the late King's sister, Heir to the crown of Sicily, the last Of our famed Norman line, and now our queen? Sif. Tancred, 'tis true; she is the late King's sister, After the tyrant's death, but not next heir. Sif. Come nearer, noble Tancred, Son of my care:-I must on this occasion And rightful heir of Sicily. Tan. Great Heaven!-How far removed From that our mighty founder? Sif. His great grandson : Sprung from his eldest son, who died untimely, Tan. Ha! the prince you mean, Is he not Manfred's son? The generous, brave, Sif. Yes, the same. By noble pity moved, contrived to save him And had him rear'd in private, as became His birth and hopes, with high and princely nurture. He in his safe retreat has lain conceal'd, But when the dying king to me entrusted, Tan. Happy youth! He then will triumph o'er his father's foes, I dread the horrors of rekindled war: Though dead, the tyrant still is to be fear'd; Tan. My Lord Siffredi, If by myself I of this prince may judge, That scheme will scarce succeed.-Your prudent age But wherefore fear? The right is clearly his : Will range themselves around Prince Manfred's son. Of this young prince; I every drop of blood Lose not a moment to awaken in him The royal soul. Perhaps, he now desponding Sif. Perhaps regardless, in the common bane B |