Part 17 (2/2)

DON CAESAR.

Be comforted; thy sons, with honest heart, To peace aspired, but heaven's decree was blood!

ISABELLA.

I know thou lovedst him well; I saw between ye, With joy, the bands old Nature sweetly twined; Thou wouldst have borne him in thy heart of hearts With rich atonement of long wasted years!

But see--fell murder thwarts thy dear design, And naught remains but vengeance!

DON CAESAR.

Come, my mother, This is no place for thee. Oh, haste and leave This sight of woe.

[He endeavors to drag her away.

ISABELLA (throwing herself into his arms).

Thou livest! I have a son!

BEATRICE.

Alas! my mother!

DON CAESAR.

On this faithful bosom Weep out thy pains; nor lost thy son,--his love Shall dwell immortal in thy Caesar's breast.

First Chorus (CAJETAN, BERENGAR, MANFRED).

Break forth, ye wounds!

Dumb witness! the truth proclaim; Flow fast, thou gory stream!

ISABELLA (clasping the hands of DON CAESAR and BEATRICE).

My children!

DON CAESAR.

Oh, 'tis ecstasy! my mother, To see her in thy arms! henceforth in love A daughter--sister----

ISABELLA (interrupting him).

Thou hast kept thy word.

My son; to thee I owe the rescued one; Yes, thou hast sent her----

DON CAESAR (in astonishment).

Whom, my mother, sayst thou, That I have sent?

ISABELLA.

She stands before thine eyes-- Thy sister.

DON CAESAR.

She! My sister?

ISABELLA.

Ay, What other?

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