Part 14 (2/2)

[_Exit with the banquet._

GIOVANNO _is discovered sleeping in the lap of_ EVADNE.

EVAD. Thou silent G.o.d, that with the leaden mace Arresteth all save those prodigious birds, That are fate's heralds to proclaim all ill; Deafen Giovanno: let no fancied noise Of ominous screech-owl's or night-raven's voice Affright his quiet senses: let his sleep Be free from horror or unruly dreams; That may beget a tempest in the streams Of his calm reason: let 'em run as smooth, And with as great a silence, as those do That never took an injury; where no wind Had yet acquaintance: but like a smooth crystal Dissolv'd into a water that ne'er frown'd, Or knew a voice but music.

_Enter_ ANTONIO _and_ AURELIA _in hermits' gowns_.

Holy hermits, for such your habits speak you, Join your prayers with a distressed virgin's, That the wits of this distracted young man may Be settled.

ANT. Sure, 'tis my sister, and that Sleeping man, Giovanno. She loves him still.

[_He wakes._

GIO. O, what a blessedness am I bereft of!

What pleasure has the least part of a minute Stolen from my eyes? methought I did embrace A brother and a friend; and both Antonio.

EVAD. Bless'd be those gentle powers that----

GIO. What, Evadne----have deceived my eyes, Take heed, Evadne, wors.h.i.+p not a dream, 'Tis of a smoky substance, and will shrink Into the compa.s.s of report that 'twas, And not reward the labour of a word.

Were it substantial! could I now but see That man of men, I'd by my practice Of religious prayers add to the calendar One holy-day, and keep it once a year.

ANT. Behold Antonio!

EVAD. Brother!

[_To_ ANTONIO.

AUR. Brother!

[_To_ GIOVANNO.

ANT. What earthquake shakes my heart!

With what a speed she flew into his arms!

EVAD. Some power, that hearkens to the prayer of virgins, Has been distill'd to pity at my fortunes, And made Evadne happy.

AUR. Now my longing, That was grown big, is with your sight delivered Of a joy that will become a giant, and o'ercome me.

Welcome, thrice welcome, brother.

ANT. Ha, her brother! Fortune has bound me so Much in their debts, I must despair to pay 'em: Twice has my life been by these twins of goodness Pluck'd from the hand of death; that fatal enmity Between our houses here shall end, Though my father at his death commanded me To eternity of hatred.

What tie binds stronger than reprieve from death?

Come hither, friend. Now, brother, take her, Thou'st been a n.o.ble tailor.

GIO. Be moderate, my joys, do not o'erwhelm me: Here, take Aurelia: may you live happy!

O Antonio! this, this was the cause of my disguise; Sebastiano could not win Evadne's love, But Giovanno did; come now to our father's castle.

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