Part 15 (1/2)

_Ant._ Don Perez 'twas who fell.

_Bep._ A holy friar who shrived the dying man told me the name of him who fell was Gaspar.

_Ant._ He was a holy friar, said you? I see it all (_aside_).

_Bep._ He said he had a scarf to give to Donna Serafina, at the request of him who died.

_Ant._ Hath he delivered it?

_Bep._ No; and Donna Serafina in frantic grief awaits his coming.

_Ant._ (_aside_). She'll wait till doomsday; I understand it all.

(_Aloud._) Beppa! Don Gaspar now will soon be here; go and console your mistress.

_Bep._ Then it must have been a plan of Don Gaspar's to rid himself of my mistress. I do not understand it, but believe you _do_. When master and man are so much alike, they cannot deceive each other. I'll to Donna Serafina, and tell her of this base stratagem, which, with his wooing of another, will make her cease to grieve for the treacherous villain, and turn her ardent love to deadly hate. [_Exit Beppa._

_Ant._ As I have mine for you, I was about to say; only I do not recollect that I ever loved you. I think I married her to keep myself from starving: but I forget why exactly, 'tis so long ago. What a fool is a man who marries--but a double fool is he who, like me, am doubly----I can't bear to mention it. [_Exit Antonio._

_Scene II._

_Donna Serafina's Chamber.--Donna Serafina discovered._

_Ser._ They tell me I am fair: yet what avails This gift of nature?

Could those who envy me but see my heart-- My bleeding, lacerated, breaking heart!

How would their bitter nature change to pity!

I did require but him in this wide world; My beauty valued, but to gain his love!

My wealth rejoiced in, but to share with him!

He was my all! and every other 'vantage Was but of value as subservient to him.

As is the gold of costly workmans.h.i.+p Round the fair gem imbedded in the centre.

Oh! Gaspar, were I sure I could o'ertake Thy spirit, soaring up in its young flight, This little steel should free my anxious soul, To join thine in the high empyrean, And, fondly link'd, in joy ascend to Heaven.

Why waits the friar? Some idle mummery, To him more sacred than my Gaspar's relic, From his dull memory hath chased his promise.

Why waits my woman, whom I have despatch'd To learn the history of my Gaspar's death?

Alas! alas! they know not love.

_Enter Beppa._

_Bep._ Madam, I've news for you; but news so strange That I can scarce impart it. Dry your tears, Nor more lament Don Gaspar,--for he lives!

_Ser._ He lives? say that again! You said he lived-- Did you not, Beppa? Then may Heav'n reward you For those blissful words!--He lives!--support me-- (_Faints in Beppa's arms._)

_Bep._ I should have first inform'd her he was false.

Now will the shock be greater.--Dear lady--(_Serafina recovering gradually_).

_Ser._ (_faintly_). Now do I feel like some poor criminal, Who, having closed his eyes, to look no more Upon the world he is about to leave, With curdling blood, and faint and flutt'ring pulse, Waits for the last terrific moment When the sharp axe shall free his trembling soul.

So wakes he at the distant shouts of men, Rolling the waves of sound until they dash Against his worn-out sense the glad reprieve.

Don Gaspar lives! Oh Heav'n, I thank thee!