Part 25 (1/2)

The garden._ Bianca _singing._]

Faded flowers, faded flowers, They are all now left to cherish; For the hopes and joys of my young life's spring I have seen so darkly perish.

Cold, ah, cold, in the lone, dark grave, My murdered love lies low, And death alone can bring sure rest To this broken heart's deep woe.

Faded flowers, faded flowers, They are all now left to cherish; For ah, his dear hand gathered them, And my love can never perish.

[_Weeps._

[_Enter_ Huon _and kneels at her feet._

Bianca [_starting up_]. Fiend! demon! touch me not with hands that murdered him! Hence! out of my sight,--away!

Huon. Nay, lady, nay! I swear by Heaven it was not I. The spell I mingled in thy cup was but to win thy love. The old witch hath deceived me, and given that deadly poison. Forgive me, I implore thee, and here let me offer thee my love once more.

Bianca [_repulsing him_]. _Love!_ darest thou to speak of love to me, whose bright dream of life thou hast destroyed? _Love!_ I who loathe, scorn, hate thee with a deep and burning hate that death alone can still! Oh, Heaven, have mercy on my tortured heart, and let it break.

Huon [_aside_]. His death hath well-nigh driven her mad. Dear lady, grieve not thus. Let me console thee. Forget thy love, and seek in mine the joy thou hast lost.

Bianca. Forget! Ah, never, never, till in death I join him! Forgive thee? Not till I have told thy crime. Yes, think not I will rest till thou, my murdered Adelbert, art well avenged. And thou!--ah, sinful man, tremble, for thou art in my power, and my wronged heart can feel no pity now.

Huon [_fiercely_]. Wouldst thou betray me? Never! Yield thou to my love, or I will sheathe my dagger in thy heart, and silence thee forever!

Bianca. I will not yield. The world shall know thy guilt, and then sweet death shall be a blessing.

Huon. Then die, and free me from the love and fear that hang like clouds above me [_stabs her_].

Bianca. Thy sin will yet be known, and may G.o.d pardon thee! O earth, farewell! My Adelbert, I come, I come! [_Dies._]

Huon. Dead! dead! Oh, wretched Huon! Where now seek rest from bitter memories and remorse. Ha, a step! I must fly. Angel, fare thee well!

[_Exit_ Huon.

CURTAIN.

SCENE SIXTH.

[Huon's _room._ Huon _asleep upon a couch.

Enter_ Bianca's _spirit. She lays her hand upon him._]

Huon [_starting in affright_]. Ha! spirit of the dead, what wouldst thou now? For long, long nights why hast thou haunted me? Cannot my agony, remorse, and tears win thee to forget? Ah, touch me not! Away! away! See how the vision follows. It holds me fast. Bianca, save me! save me!

[_Falls and dies._]

[_Tableau._

CURTAIN.