Part 7 (1/2)

What means this pause? Thou lingerest--thou art dumb-- Thy looks are terror-fraught--a shudder creeps Through all my frame--declare thy tidings!--speak!

Where is she? Where is Beatrice?

[She is about to rush from the chamber.

DON MANUEL (to himself abstractedly).

Beatrice!

DIEGO (holding back the PRINCESS).

Be still!

ISABELLA.

Where is she? Anguish tears my breast!

DIEGO.

She comes not.

I bring no daughter to thy arms.

ISABELLA.

Declare Thy message! Speak! by all the saints!

What has befallen?

DON MANUEL.

Where is my sister? Tell us, Thou harbinger of ill!

DIEGO.

The maid is stolen By corsairs! lost! Oh! that I ne'er had seen This day of woe!

DON MANUEL.

Compose thyself, my mother!

DON CAESAR.

Be calm; list all this tale.

DIEGO.

At thy command I sought in haste the well-known path that leads To the old sanctuary:--joy winged my footsteps; The journey was my last!

DON CAESAR.

Be brief!

DON MANUEL.

Proceed!

DIEGO.

Soon as I trod the convent's court--impatient-- I ask--”Where is thy daughter?” Terror sate In every eye; and straight, with horror mute, I heard the worst.

[ISABELLA sinks, pale and trembling, upon a chair; DON MANUEL is busied about her.

DON CAESAR.

Say'st thou by pirates stolen?

Who saw the band?--what tongue relates the spoil?