Part 442 (2/2)

[The ELDERS retire in silence; she beckons to an old attendant, who remains.

Diego!

DIEGO.

Honored mistress!

ISABELLA.

Old faithful servant, then true heart, cone near me; Sharer of all a mother's woes, be thine The sweet communion of her joys: my treasure Shrined in thy heart, my dear and holy secret Shall pierce the envious veil, and s.h.i.+ne triumphant To cheerful day; too long by harsh decrees, Silent and overpowered, affection yet Shall utterance find in Nature's tones of rapture!

And this imprisoned heart leap to the embrace Of all it holds most dear, returned to glad My desolate halls; So bend thy aged steps To the old cloistered sanctuary that guards The darling of my soul, whose innocence To thy true love (sweet pledge of happier days)!

Trusting I gave, and asked from fortune's storm A resting place and shrine. Oh, in this hour Of bliss; the dear reward of all thy cares.

Give to my longing arms my child again!

[Trumpets are heard in the distance.

Haste! be thy footsteps winged with joy--I hear The trumpet's blast, that tells in warlike accents My sons are near:

[Exit DIEGO. Music is heard in an opposite direction, and becomes gradually louder.

Messina is awake!

Hark! how the stream of tongues hoa.r.s.e murmuring Rolls on the breeze,--'tis they! my mother's heart Feels their approach, and beats with mighty throes Responsive to the loud, resounding march!

They come! they come! my children! oh, my children!

[Exit.

The CHORUS enters.

(It consists of two semi-choruses which enter at the same time from opposite sides, and after marching round the stage range themselves in rows, each on the side by which it entered. One semi-chorus consists of young knights, the other of older ones, each has its peculiar costume and ensigns. When the two choruses stand opposite to each other, the march ceases, and the two leaders speak.) [The first chorus consists of Cajetan, Berengar, Manfred, Tristan, and eight followers of Don Manuel. The second of Bohemund, Roger, Hippolyte, and nine others of the party of Don Caesar.

First Chorus (CAJETAN).

I greet ye, glittering halls Of olden time Cradle of kings! Hail! lordly roof, In pillared majesty sublime!

Sheathed be the sword!

In chains before the portal lies The fiend with tresses snake-entwined, Fell Discord! Gently treat the inviolate floor!

Peace to this royal dome!

Thus by the Furies' brood we swore, And all the dark, avenging Deities!

Second Chorus (BOHEMUND).

I rage! I burn! and scarce refrain To lift the glittering steel on high, For, lo! the Gorgon-visaged train Of the detested foeman nigh: Shall I my swelling heart control?

To parley deign--or still in mortal strife The tumult of my soul?

Dire sister, guardian of the spot, to thee Awe-struck I bend the knee, Nor dare with arms profane thy deep tranquillity!

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