Part 19 (1/2)
Your strife With fresh embittered hate o'er all Messina Woke discord's maddening flames, and from the deed Our cares withdrew--so resolute remained, And closed the sanctuary.
DON CAESAR.
Make no delay; This very night fulfil your task, for well Beseems the midnight gloom! To-morrow's sun Shall find this palace cleansed of every stain, And light a happier race.
[Exit the Second Chorus, with the body of DON MANUEL.
CAJETAN.
Shall I invite The brotherhood of monks, with rights ordained By holy church of old, to celebrate The office of departed souls, and hymn The buried one to everlasting rest?
DON CAESAR.
Their strains above my tomb shall sound for ever Amid the torches' blaze--no solemn rites Beseem the day when gory murder scares Heaven's pardoning grace.
CAJETAN.
Oh, let not wild despair Tempt thee to impious, rash resolve. My prince No mortal arm shall e'er avenge this deed; And penance calms, with soft, atoning power, The wrath on high.
DON CAESAR.
If for eternal justice Earth has no minister, myself shall wield The avenging sword; though heaven, with gracious ear, Inclines to sinners' prayers, with blood alone Atoned is murder's guilt.
CAJETAN.
To stem the tide Of dire misfortune, that with maddening rage Bursts o'er your house, were n.o.bler than to pile Acc.u.mulated woe.
DON CAESAR.
The curse of old Shall die with me! Death self-imposed alone Can break the chain of fate.
CAJETAN.
Thou owest thyself A sovereign to this orphaned land, by thee Robbed of its other lord!
DON CAESAR.
The avenging G.o.ds Demand their prey--some other deity May guard the living!
CAJETAN.
Wide as e'er the sun In glory beams, the realm of hope extends; But--oh remember! nothing may we gain From Death!
DON CAESAR.
Remember thou thy va.s.sal's duty; Remember and be silent! Leave to me To follow, as I list, the spirit of power That leads me to the goal. No happy one May look into my breast: but if thy prince Owns not a subject's homage, dread at least The murderer!--the accursed!--and to the head Of the unhappy--sacred to the G.o.ds-- Give honors due. The pangs that rend my soul-- What I have suffered--what I feel--have left No place for earthly thoughts!
DONNA ISABELLA, DON CAESAR, The Chorus.
ISABELLA (enters with hesitating steps, and looks irresolutely towards DON CAESAR; at last she approaches, and addresses him with collected tones).
I thought mine eyes should ne'er behold thee more; Thus I had vowed despairing! Oh, my son!
How quickly all a mother's strong resolves Melt into air! 'Twas but the cry of rage That stifled nature's pleading voice; but now What tidings of mysterious import call me From the desolate chambers of my sorrow?
Shall I believe it? Is it true? one day Robs me of both my sons?
Chorus.
Behold! with willing steps and free, Thy son prepares to tread The paths of dark eternity The silent mansions of the dead.
My prayers are vain; but thou, with power confessed, Of nature's holiest pa.s.sion, storm his breast!
ISABELLA.
I call the curses back--that in the frenzy Of blind despair on thy beloved head I poured. A mother may not curse the child That from her nouris.h.i.+ng breast drew life, and gave Sweet recompense for all her travail past; Heaven would not hear the impious vows; they fell With quick rebound, and heavy with my tears Down from the flaming vault!