PS 635 ^ .29 ^ M9243 Copy 1 m K^ I PSb55 1 2 9V/3^^-3 ^^^BA'S ^^^ ^. OR, yjjii,TjiiM! A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS. BY ADELLA R. WORDEN. YPSILANTI, MICH. 1879. THESBA'S BABE; OR, RETRIBUTION: i\ |}raina in Faxtr Acts. r BY ADELLA R. WORDEN. yPSILANTI, MICH. 1879. ^>' Entered accordmg to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by ADELLA R. WORDEN, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress. PRINTED AT THE BENTlNEIi PBINTING HOrSE. YPSILAKTI, MICH. TMPS2-007640 THESBA'S BABE3 OF'BETllBUTTOK DRAMATIS PERSON.E : Hermetus, Cambist of Rome, Termenes, Citizen of Venice. Mazzo, Artist. Feldamor, Bandit Chief. GiANiNA, daughter to Termenes. GoLiNE, daughter to Hermetus. Claudia, mother to Goline. Nan, Egyptian Sorceress. Capo, a Clown. NoRvo, son to Nan. JosEF [ ^^rvants to Termenes Julia, maid to Claudia. John Brownell, a traveler. Doctor, Priest, Monk, First and Second Voices, Page. ACT I. SCENE I. Borne. A street. Enter Feldamor, l, and Capo, r. Fel. Capo, salute ! How smile the fates since you were capering at the carnival? You have a greenish cast, a dogged unsettled look, as one m love. Capo. In love ? Aye, that's well said, but deucedly irrelevant ! — I'm out of luck, and lien, and luggage— therefore out of love. You know me, then ? Fel. Since when I hailed within these seven hills, I've heard your blabbering on every turnstile. I like you for your clownishness, and would engage your service — a princely stipend, if you play me well. Capo. In faith, good sire, I know you not. Ffl. Your silence on me or your life! My name is — Feldamor ! Capo, (aside) The gods protect me, the wild brigand ! Hold, sire, my service is bespoke, {aside) I am no doughhead for the target of banditti. Fel. Spewling ! Spit no more of this. I ask no service other than your own. Be what you are, I but engage you for your tricks. Join you the minstrels in my gang— go you ahead — attract the citizens, and then give way to their amusements. Capo. Well, I'll engage, with twenty sequins down. Fel. So be it ; though 'twere labor poorly made when once the price is paid. Shack, zany ! Thou shall truckle to my statute, the veriest vassal to rapacious greed. Ere long I come disguised. When you shall shall see this signal, follow me (signals). ti«i 9ill ■* [Exit, 4 thesba's babe, [act I Capo. Gold ! GoU ! Tbe devil's rancorous fire ! Which burns of hell in every mad desire ! Ha, ha! rogue, you have caught a rogue. He likes me for my tricks. — Ay, tricks shall trick him. What comes? A pilgrim by his looks. I would not wash his feet for all his luggage {retires). Enter Brownell with traveling hag. Bko- (too^-m^ aro2. Enter ^vLi A. Jul. Master, who's down ? Her. Go to the madame's chamber for her orders. [Exit Jvlim Maz. And is your lady subject to these turns ? Her. They subject her convenience, But you — What calls you to my domicile, that I needs tarry from my trade and work myself into a lob- ster at your pleasure? Maz. Good sire, you do mistake my purpose, if you count my pleasure in your discontent. You are no stranger to the contract which ha» bound your daughter and myself these many years. Go cool yourself, and if you like me not, be bold to own it — I would not pilfer in youf fruit though it were watering in its ripeness I Enter Julia. Jul. Master Hermetus, the lady, sire, is very, very ill. Her. Go to the d 1 with your women's fidgets! (Exit Jul) They tack to larboard when the wind is foul and bellies not to their caprice. What bring you in exchange for this endowment of my loins ? What surety for her maintenance ! Maz. I have my love, my prospects, my am Her. Hold there, you sapling ! You are glutted full, stuffed to the gills, with prospects in my money bags ! Go, thou blood sucker of per- dition ! Vampire of gluttony ! Maz . (aside) Only that I had that passion into paint ! Her. Go to thou parasite of hell ! 10 thesba's babe, I'MJi' I J^nier Claudia and Julia. Clau. {screuminy) Oh, oh ! Hermclus, I am dying— dyiug— and you will not come ! {falls on sofa, hands Maz. note unobserved) Her. Ob, Claudia ! ' Speak to me ! Am I too late ? Most wretched liin ! Claudia! She cannot speak to me! Heaven lorgivc-^Claudia ! Claudia, speak to Hermetus— tell him he is forgiven— speak ! Go for the doctor ! Maz. {puts note in 2)0cket) 1 v^'iW ^iieu'^ {(jors) Jul. Two messengers have gone already. Here comes the pil.l-matv now. *^Ar>"' Enter Dootoe. Hek. Save her, oh; doctor ! save her, or 1 die ! Doc. Be silenced, man. {stis by , feels pulse) it is a cleai- affection of the heart ; such paroxysms often end in death. Heu. Most dread malady, most dire complaint ! Aifectioa of the heart ! Doctor, is there a likelihood that I be now exposed to thi^ disease ? Doc. Trouble you not, it seldom ravages the male persuasiou — 1 might -ssay never. Remove your lady to her couch at once ; let no one enter but the servants of the house, not e'en her daughter. Her. Doctor is she so bad, so dying low ? Doc. And you must hold her hand an hour by the clock, giving these soothing drops betimes, 'till from a hundred beats the pulse is seventy. Her. Oh, never fear ; I will not leave her form for my provender! Most lovely Claudia ! She called to me, I would not come. Oh, saint- ly Claudia! [Exeunt all carrying Claudia on sofa Enter Mazzo. Maz. She has played well, and won on him at last — disgraceful panto- mine — a loathsome poition for a nuptial banquet ! A beastly sire — in- triguing dame and most unloving paramour ! The mask is off, the face is bold and black, and must I wed it ? Saintly mother, bend'st Ihoii there, or dost thy spirit linger with the soul that erst has rooted in the gypsy's breast ? Shackels oft bind unwilling hands, but where is th<^ padlock for unwilling hearts? Enter Goline. GoL. Mazzo, you seem disturbed. I trust this little scene has not uu- Bettled you with me. You know my sire is boistrous and obtuse, and «peaks more rash if may be to his wedded spouse, whom now he watch- es with unwinking eyes. Maz. Nothing disturbs me other than a brain grown sick with its imaginings. I should have sought my pillow but for you, my love. 1 came to hear the appointment for our marriage day. GoL. Right glad I am 'twere not to-night, for since a pillow would have ta'en the place of me, 'twere better tired brain should wed it. Maz. Goline, I'm in no mood for jokes — the outburst I have wit- cessed has unnerved me. If 'tis Hermetus' will to cheek me out, and ACT ll] OR, IJETRIin TION. 11 jours to parley with me, let on ; I will accept my seuteuce at your taands. GoL. Mazzo, my sire doles on you — but smallest specks grow moun- iains in his eyes when they inflame with ire. He was o'er-vexed at your delay, and the few^ coin he got not by these means danced in his sight like devils in the drink, till ail your visage shone with hungry eyes, set to devour on his shining gold. Mazzo, we have been happ3^ as we are — the marriage bed perplexes me to fill. Let us go on as yet. Maz. a dozen years, and still you say go on ! Pray name a day, jour pleasures' distance. GoL. Were I to name the day as now I feel, 'twould be as far ahead as are the stars, fleeing as we pursue. Maz. Gfoline, prepare me kindly if you wili,but scruple not to tell me of this change. GoL. I am not changed a whit since 1 was born. 'Tis this that chafes me. I would unloose these bonds — go out into the world — know if this heart so surfeited with love can hunger in its absence — {going to him) I have been reading such a sm eet romance— and oh I the heroine, she loved in such a way that all her being thrilled at the approach of her adorer ! and when he touched her hand, the blood leapt to her cheek — ier eyes grew lustrons, and her heart beat on so fast, an hour's lime was Teckoued but a minute ! Not thus am I forewarned of your appioach. I have a project. You have heard of Nan, the sorceress ? She that, can read the planets uis a page, and no'e their concourse with oiu destiny? Maz. Let then the fates decide us ; when it shall be your pleasure 1 attend, GoL To-morrow's night is Holly Eve — at sunset are the fates pro- pitious. 'Tis far across the hills, an hour's canter will scarce bring us Ihere. Maz. Our coursers matched in speed shall then unmatch us at your will. Golioe, the hour is late — I shall not fail to meet appointment. So love, adieu, adieu, {goes.) GoL. You are not going till you kiss me ? Maz. Kisses from me but curdle in }our veins. GoL. You make me most unhappy saying that 1 Maz. The heart that signals noi at my approach may thrill at my de- parture. Good night \ {kisses hand) {Exit GoL. How cold beseems tonights! I have offended him, mayhap; he's grown o'er-sensitive of late. Why, I have talked like this a hun- dred times, and he bns grown the fonder. Good heavens ! if he should cease to love me ! 1 never thought he could — I must not let him go like this — I will o'ertako him in the garden. [ErK ■ ACT IL SCENE L Oypsy''s Camp. Nan's Cottage. Capo, {ivith pupjiets.) Put her down there, dulfee, put her down. Ha, ha, ha ! a clever set and suited well to gobble in the coppers on the street. Aye, kings, 'lis said, who shoot their eyeballs from the common herd, oft bend their bellies to the puppet's dance. I am in double har- ness in my trade : Yoked with an ass and with a beast than which the 12 THESBA'S babe, [act II tlack hyena is more tame and true. He that has taken me for guide ia an ass indeed, for while I have an hundred names of heroes in my skull, I know not where they hinge to, more than that red doll ! I talk in s-hymes ! Ha, ha ! That would go miles with John Brownell — ha, ha ! 6b, 1 shall pass with him — but Gods defend "the history of Rome I But of the beast ! He likes me for ray tricks, aye ! he shall rue the day be hired me for tricks! Blacker than the deyil is this Feldamor ; he goes skulking in the dark, his eyes like fire, and his grinning jaws oozing of ulcerous poison, fed from the carrion of his red hot breath ! Oh, pnake ; thou art a dove in fairness to this laughing beast ! Enter Gianina. GiA Oh Capo ; I'm gone wild with fright. Capo What should affright you, pretty one ? GiA 1 sat me in the shadow of yon lock, musing within myself, when all a sudden something from behind did spring upon me, and with iron grip did hold me fast. I screamed, but ere the sound broke on the air, a hand clutched at my throat, and like a dog did thrust his face ia mine —then knew I it was Feldamor ! I sprang and left my tunic in his fcands — look at my flesh, it is all black and poisoned with his touch! Capo Has this black sneakling any right to you ? GiA I do belong to Nan. Oh, Capo! care for me — I am most wretch- ed, born into a life I loathe — despise Capo My pretty maid, come wed me; we will fly and be no more obeisant to the fiend ! Gia Hush, hush ! Be never jumping till you know the leap. I want your eyes for lanterns in my dark ; wilt lend them. Capo ? Capo My eyes for lanterns ? aye, my sweet ; so they do light the ^aa'hway for thy feet. Gia Capo, I want a friend — if thou'lt be such, call me not but Giani- «a, nor ever prattle in a way that makes me hate you. Capo Gianina, trust me ; I am eyes, and ears, and hands, and feet, to fjee, to hear, to beckon and to run, in your sweet Gta Hush! Cai'o In your (smacks lips) service. Enter ViiJ-ETTE. , ViL Old Nan is searching far an near ; vein best go on, Gia True, I am over long. I go, [Exit Gia Capo, {singing) Oh, stay not, love, away ; come soon, come soon ViL. You sing not thus for me. Capo. So, so — You never leave me that I may. When I do go why eing you not to me ? ViL. I would much sooner sing to have you stay. Capo, you're more i:-. love with that black Gyp — , than me ! Capo. Why think you so, Villette ? ViL. I heard you smack her that I did. Capo. 1 smacked her so, (smacln Hps) but I will smack you so ACT II] OE, RETRIBUTION. l^ ViL. You big philaDcler, you ; just give me back that kiss— you stole — you stole, you thief ! . Capo. Well, here it is. {kisses) ViL. Oh, that aint half so big— not half so big ! Capo. Villette, I ana busy with the dolls— ViL. Busy ! Always busy, when 1 want to play— yon ve been a halt an hour with the Gyp. Capo. Villette, don't call that pretty creature Gyp. ViL. Don't call her Gyp ? Then angel^if you like. Capo. So, Villie, that is well ; she is as far above us, as the angels are ViL. (spitting) I could slap her face ! She haint no prettier than me, and can't dance half so well. , . x t-., Capo, (taking hold) Give us a trip then, {dances and sings) \il- lie, if you love rae, Yillie, if you do JE7iter Mazzo and Go line. Maz. Let us not interrupt the dance. , , . , . Capo. Good ISignor, it is well ; what is your lordship s and the lady s Maz. Is yonder hut where lives the sorceress ? The lady would con- sult the fates. ViL. It is. I will attend the lady if she please. GoL. Wilt thou, dear Mazzo, that she let me iu ! (aside) I would not have him hear it, for the world, and all Maz, It may be better. I will wait outside. ViL. and GoL. go to the hut, Vil. rapping, windoiv opens above. Nax. Faugh ; faugh ; go 'way ! I want no visitor to night. GoL. I wanted to consult the fates. Vil. She is a rich one, Nan. Nan. I have no mood for divination ; ^o to, go to. GoL. (holding up coin) Here, I shall pay you for your service. Nan. Small coin brings unpropitious fate on Hoily Eve. Maz. (coming up) Here is a lump of gold. Nan. Ha, ha, good sire ! Thy bride shall wear a diamond crown . (oijcns door) Come here, come here. Exeunt Gol. and Villette. Enter Noryo ivith Flute unseen. Maz. Whence came the moppet you were tripping with ? I well re- member to have seen her face. . ^ , . .u Capo This is the Gypsy's camp ; that was \ illette, a minstrel in the gang. Maz. The same I saw in Rome * Capo. Belike, they stroll for miles around.— Maz. Tell me, my fellow, where is she that plays upon the harp. Go bring her here and I will double this, (gives coin) r ry . r. Ctpo She lives along of Nan ; I'll fetch her if I can . [Exit Capo Maz Good Heavens ! That I should light upon the spot where comes the fawn to sleep. I should not see this vision of the sky, so 14 THESfJA'S BABE, [ACT 11 ahall I be dijsnlvc'd iu lier bright-ray, as melts the ^now in i)athway of the sun. Capo. The fiili oue will not come ; her garments scarcely Liold her for their rents, Maz. {tcikintjoj)' mantle) Here take my mantle— let it wrap her round, I will detain her but a trice. [Exit Capo Divinest form I Would I could wrap it in a satin robe, lined all with down, and who.«e soft folds would press her not more tenderly than I. Enter Gia. face ivvned atvay . GiA. Good Signor, with my humblest thanks 1 bless you for this loan. He that hath rule of me, would thrust me in your sight — nude as a slave upon the bU)ck . Maz. Turn here your face, that I may read your gratitude iu smiles. GiA. The tears in pity quence my burning cheeks — so shall the}' wash away my shame ; bid me not look till every trace is out. What waut you, sire ? Maz. I know not what till I have seen your face. Gia . {turning) It is the painter! He that for gold would bargain in my shape ! Maz. No, no! I would not buy the, bird, nor touch thine hand — though I would eat it for its sweetness . Hide not thyself, Dut under- stand me— it were love alone . GiA. { jyuttlng off the tvotxis) When high-born gentry talk to Gypsy maid of love, then were that passion infamous and bad . Here, take Ihy cloak, I will not make a debt, the which if paid e'en in the smallest part, would sijuander all ray wealth. Y.m smile at this. Do rags make poverty ? Nay ! I have that which many an high-born lady hath not, nor yet can buy, with her possessions : it is a jewel like the dia- mond, which when 'tis chipped or hath a blemish e'en so slight, is never reckoned pure . Maz. How shall I woo the, that thou wilt believe? I would befriend thee, if thou needst a friend, nor more, if more offend . Gia . Gianina weeps I Stranger, thou hast touched a spot so tender in my breast, that I would die, could I beiieve thee true! Were I a lady born, had I position, had I wealth — then would your wooing savor of delight ; but me, a hireling of meanest type*— serf to a fiend — bandaged in tatters ! ($h7-inks away) . Maz. Here, take the mantle. Have I been unkind that thou distrusts the spirit of the loan ? Take it, I pray, if 1 have yet one merit in thine eyes. Gia. Oh, gentleman, you have been kind— more kind than all the world. Maz. {putting mantle on) As folds this mantle 'round thy perfect self, so binds ray heart the idol of its love ! \Exit Gianina Enter Goline and Nan. Gol. Mazzo, I have tamed long ; your pardon, love. Maz. Has it been long ? I thought you over quick. ACT II] OR, RETRIBUTION. 15- Nan. {to Goi.. I Good lady, you go Lear ihe music play, (points to NoKvo ) wbilsl I undo the fate of this fair gent, {to Maz) You got some gold— you no much rich — you wed with raven hair and blue black eyes — Maz. {aside) That is my sweet ! Nan, She get rich— your bride will wear a diamond crown ! Maz. " A diamond crown ! " Nay, that's not likely, save her tresses be the crown and her two eyes the diamonds which lie shadowed in the thicket of her fringed lids. Nan. Not thus ; {going) thy bride shall wear a diamond crown ! f Exit Nan GoL. coming up Goi,. I have been so absorbed in yon sweet youth, I did not hear thy fate ; pray tell it rae. Maz. "Fair woman does not love me." GoL. Aye : and " the white browed artist loves me not." Maz. That were a fair exchange ; but come, we must be away. It will be midnight ere we cross the hills. Goj-iNE throws kiss at Norvo, he the same, Exit Nokvo GoL. (going) You shall know all when we are on the way. Enter Feldamok. Fe).. Hold there, you spooney! You get off. too quick with trifling, on the gyps ! Pull out your ducats ! Maz. But I did pay the Magi over well. Fkl. Your money or your blood ! GoL. Oh spare us — but we paid — Fel. Shut up, you gobster ! Maz. Here, lake the purse ; 'twere cheap at that to rid us of your slang, {goes) Fel. Halt, noddy ! I want that gew-gaw on your front — pull out ! Maz. My watch ? Fel. The same. GoL. That was a gift of his dead sire. Fel. Shut off, you strumpet ; unhitch your trinkets for your inso- lence ! Maz. I see no help. We are the victims of the bandit Feldamor! (hands watch) Fel. {striking at Maz) Go to the devil and be d — d ! You heat me, and, by Jupiter, I'll wash the sin out in your reeking blood ! Gol. Here, take my jewels ; they are costly gems, but by the laws of Rome you shall be made to suffer for the crime. Fel. Ha, ha ! and thou go witness oa the bandit ! So shall thy flesh make carrion in my den ! Maz. That is my cloak about your back — I lent it to the maid. Go, lake it her to shut her from thy sight, and all this plunder shall be glad- ly l3t. {goes) Fel. The Gyp. shall strut not in thy rakish garb ; thou didst inflame her with ihy sugared spit — she lies with me ere yet the night goes out I Maz. May god in vengeance numb thee into death, and spare the maid he formed but for himself ! [Exeunt Mazzo and Goline lf> thesba's rabe, [act II Fel. (looking at watch and money) After much dangling, 1 have hooked Ibem in . This comes from hanging women on for bait when big fish bite, they must have tempting grub! It was a clever shift when 1 took in that hag — the boy is over slow — but crawling gatheres wind, and 'tis his stock in trade, "since he must blow it out with pooping on the fife. The Gyp! Aye; she's the magic that shall turm my grotto to a golden cave ! She shall be in ray power ere long, but yet she sets a chicken hovered by the hag. Hawks of t grow lean while yet their prey is fat'ning— so fats she for my cud'ling. She hates me me as gods do devils, but I love her as the devils do the gods, whom when they catch do uniform with heaven to officer their troops — thus with the countersign of right move train on train, nor prieet nor prelate can divide the train. So shall her countenance be fair decoy into a hell pit of licentious flames, where princely patrons reveling in their lust, shall build a kingdom and a throne for me, over the ashes of her vanish- ed life ! Aye, aye ! For me ! I thirst with feverish impatience — My tongue is swelled — I taste of blood ! The hag must die! The young- 'ling feed the trade, while now the festive season i3 at hand ! But hold! I send her out to strut — she doth escape me ! Doth escape me ? I swear by Jupiter hell shall escape me sooner than this fair devil, plum- aged with the saints, shall sail through paradise on snowy wing ! Aye ; poised above the gulf with downward eyes on me a vanquished fiend — (J — d by her gloating smile and doomed to bear it, yea, eternally, that angels may grow happy as they gaze ! Hell and its imps lend hand whilst I do plan ! [Exit SCENE II. A Street. Enter Brownell ivith hags. Bro. Well, 1 am vexed at this Mr. Signo Capo. He makes a fool of me, sends me to the Spanish places, says he will meet me there. I wait, and wait^ 'till half the citizens have split their mouths at me, and just as I am off the handle with myself, he heaves in sight and bows and scrapes me into humor. I do forget how much great men endure m getting great. I want a pastime out of work — I will not get it— small things do vex me — I must rise above them — to write a history of Rome, is nothing small. Here are my bags stuffed full of notes — I cannot kave them at my inn, they would be pilfered in an hour's time — I needs must lug them every where I go. I scarce have written up the twins — a month is past ! What is the prospect for my history ? 1 dum ; at this 'twould take a thousand years to write it, and a fleet of ships to carry all the manuscript. I am in trouble with my enterprise— my brain is all afire — I see of visions in the air — revolving wheels — electric sparks — leaflets like flying chaff 1 I am not mad! it is the fever of necessity! My skull is pregnant with a thought! 'Tis born ! A new invention ! I will not write a history of Rome bound in a volume like a grammer— no! I will have it printed in a primer form — and colored like a fashiouplate — thus — History of Rome, by John Brownell, price thirty pence per month— a pence a day — Why, juveniles can save that in a candy stick ! But the confectioner, he pays my revenue ! Ha, ha ! I might have gone into ACl n[ 0K.» KETRIBUTION. 1? the taffy ti-ade— it would have footed up the same — pugh, prnxh ! Suc'bi sticky words do smear siori- ous name ! 1 wiil proceed at once to close the contract wKb my pub lishers — I shall engage them for a hundred years — this makes a permact ent transaction — so shall I stay in Rome to furnish notes, and when \ die, ray t^on John will furnish notes, and his son John, and his son Jo})];;, and so the name of John Brownell shall rins;^ through all eternity ! Ca'po. Master historian, (howtnp tow) and have I been the cause ot this disturbance in your mind ! Bro. Ah, Mr. (.^ajio : better hue than n':^,vei-, it ij^ !-aid, but 1 shv beM-r late than early. Capo. How so :* What nowr Bro. By this, your dally, I have ^.aiued a fortune m :i thoutiia ! <'Ai*o. A fortune, man ? to say is io deceive; Show me the checks, so seeing, I believe. BR(f. I am l)ecome a pensioner — richer than Croesus— which shall eo dow my children, ;uid my children's children, and mj' cluluren's chit d ren— Capo. Hold, in great men^y ! Bile it off and ditto it. Bko. We must away — take you this bag — 1 am to ship my manuscMjy* at once — hail, history of Rome ! Capo. Great man, thine attitude would strike a painter dumb! Go thou and get that classic face drawn out, 'twill make a stunning fromis piece, for this thy history. Bp.o. i^real thought ! That were a fortune of itself! This humblo face within so great a book — Glory enough for John Browneii 1 \Er.it Capo, (going) I think the dolt is raving mad. Enter Mazzo. Maz. 'Tis a most fatal dart, that thus hath pierced me! Slain are the aspirations of a life time— gone the ambition which as reigning deity halh governed me, 'till I, its worshiper, have burned the fagots of my own soul's light to throw^ a halo o'er its molten shrine! Gone every- thing that was — Oh, what an agony hath this poor clay encased, since when my heart went out, leaving an emptiness more vast than continent, nor which a heaven full of resurrected dead, trooping in single file could occupy ! Naught but the Gypsy's love — so do I want it, were the world and paradise mine own, I would exchange them for her occupance m this dead place. But comes the clown, and in his company the for eigne/. I doubt not 'tis the traveler of whom he spake on yester' night. Enter Capo and Bro. with etnpty bags. Maz. Ho, Capo; well-a-day. What would you in this quaiter^ Capo. Seeking you out to serve my gifted friend. Brownell, this i^ the artist, Mazzo. Bro. Good day, sire, 3Ir. Mazzo, I trust you never may grow sick Mae. So this is the historian, the great historian Brownell . Bro. Modestly the same. Maz. Thou would'st a portrait for a copy plate? Bro. a copper plate ? I thoaghi to have it printed on a steel plaiflj^ they're lauded up so high^— take any kind of plated—pewter or 'arthets— 18 thesba's babe, [act m «lt)lg or Hulcr— oijly so 1 do bayti a classic face. — thai was the term appUeil 4.0 tiiis my blushiDg iJjeek.— Biio. Cheek bjr- fBuo. By yon fan' poet. Ma'z. What would you in desigii. ; a buEt 'i Bro. ISio, Mr. Painter, spare me that^— paint me a Hober man. Tliou^fe -1 ilo take a tip up now and then, I do not pride myself upon it.. Maz. I think 1 understand, you wish li striking altitude? Ca»m>. Rett<;r lie strike an attitude than me. Bw>. What? Put me up a pugilist ? No, Mr. Painter! Anything ♦taui kbat. Why, some big Roman would write out a challenge on mc 'riglti away ! No, no ! I'd run a mile<— thrust this poor body through * 4ioUt>\v logr— do anything rather than have it said a christian gentlemsME •tikt, lue would lay a list on any man. Capo. I go his oath on that. Maz. You do not comprehend the terras of the profession. You wi^ jwu animated face — not in repose? Bko. Ob, no ! 1 would not be asleep — no, bless you man, no, no; . though 1 have heard ray good old mother say when she has stood above jny sweet repose, " oh, what a look of innocence he hath !" . Maz. You do — Bko. Hold you — it might suggest the hour of inspiration, 1 am m •spirevll — no doubt of it. Ah, when I meditate on this my history — suc^i •streams of thought come pouring in my brain as could not fljw from aof ^riitiifm source— they gush — gush — gush — Enter Villette unobserved^ beckons to Capo. {.yAPO. Good friend, thou'st gushed till thou hast made me dry, turned 4h\s iisy puncheon to a desert in whose sands uunumbered tongues loll and cry out for drink — when I do tap the rock I'll bid you to the gushing — Bro. {Looking anxiously after) My poet ^uide is ale-ing, I suspect ^a'lii secret longings which a friend should share — my swelling bosom like au out blown sail carries this empty hnlk, till like a homesick travel- er it doth heave — in — port — a moment, and the traveler returns. [Exit Maz. Au ignoramus of a man— a bundle of eccentric ignorance. But <;ome» flermetns rushing down the street — T doubt not he has spied a .gypsy In bis camp. Enter FIekmetds. Ulioa'rt blowing like a whale, what's up the stream ? Her. I want to see you on important business and alone — come we to yonder 4nn. Max. I have engagements here nor can I leave till that I am dismiss- ed of that. Speak on, Hermetus— Her. (whispering) Tell me in heaven's name who is this man Goline iR ranning daft about ? Ma2. I think he is a son of Nan, the witch, by name Norvo. Em- {louder) Norvo ! Aye, that's the thing, that's him— she says il «m. liak sleep ! She's gone distracted afte>r him— we have to lock her m [act h oh, retribution. I'd 'Jfee gates ! K.')\v \vhat i want is you shoiiid marry h.er :ir once, ;iii<^ pwi- a stop to all this cabala. Maz, 1 am a sapliog, glulifd fall, stuffed to the gills with pro<^r,v.otK; 333 your money bags — so says Heimetiis ! Hep.. I was bull mad to have asserted it. Vou are a gentlenmn, *j<> ■m you take Goline, I'll strew your altar with a rain of gold. Maz. Not so ; wc ouce \sero pligbttd. bnt ourselves had not a ^ nid in't ; the bonds grew never stronger in our liearts, and when they brofe:^ 'Iwas but as breaks a chain Ihat well has rusted through. Her. Not if 1 offer you a palace and a princely revenue : Maz. What were palace, if that its sovereign be duty bound:! No^ save your gold, 'twill make a handsome present for your tawny son. Ooline will have him, so she says, and if you'd save her an ungr.v^ fuf leap, you best undo the bars and let her out. Hek. Best, did you say ? That you are conjurer in this trick, i do Relieve, my soul. Blast you or any other man that dares to set a fool, within ray halls! I shall go liome and set a guca'd about my prv!m}s'\' abonf, ///roiv-s frnvfUm/ hag.^. Enter BROWNl:^J^ Biio. Here, Mr. Painter! .Mr. Painter I He'll jam my ea^pet-^•3ek9 and break the ketch — Maz. Heruietus ; 1 pray you sire, consider where you are, for vd;iU< 5'on traveiU'i is peaceable enough, he has b»g eyes upon his S>ags. Enter Gapo. Cai'o. Gooii sire Heriuclns ; your daughter, sire, has got the prfe^t n |ob — Hee. What ! how, you fool ! Opf^n you out another blast o' thai,. I'll strike you at my feet ! (rushes around. Bj^vvnell hide^ bag». €m'0 gotnr/) Here,, move a pace til! you have let it out, I'll make vt Joot-bali of you, dog ! Capo, (aside) 'Twould plague ihe gods to spt-ak and speak not in tHe :r>ne breath, (i'o Her.) I want no game of foot-ball with that si?/- of- «kibs. Though I be mute, I'll loar with belching face. Or shout and silent bo, to gain Hermeius' grace. Her. You madden me ! Tell me the whole on'i in a word. Capo, (ri'shing out) 3b'.rried ! Married ! Married ! Her. Monstrous assertion ! Goline gone iuJo breeding Gypj«y hxa-V^t I'll split the tongue that blackens ihus ihe scion of Hermctus \ {Exit Bro. Mr. Painter, I must go after them. I fear me my dt?ir tri. ruV may get the wor.si with ihat grey lunatic! [ExH Birovvy^:^,!. ^0 THEB1>A\^ 1>ABE, [ACT II Maz. So shifts tbe scene that brings nie to myself. To-moirovv'si DigUt tbe witch bath granted me an iut(;rvievv with she, uy love— Oh, that a sleep like death would shut away the hours from now till then! A night racked with unsatisfying hopes, till its duration were an age— u day to run the gauntlet through extended line, host upon host, each countenance a sneer, each tongue a dart piercing me through and through, while from the niuUitude goes up the shouts, "She loves thee not ! She )oves thee not!'* Gianina ! 'Tis her name I goto seek thee, press tiiy anxious suit, and so ibou lovcst me. Heaven witness thou'it be mine. [Exeunt SCENE III. Kan^s Hut Nan 7'eclming. Gianina 7iea7\ GiA. Nanna, you will not die. Oh, do not look so sick and perishing. Nan. Child, no ; Nan cannot die, else were her bones acrumbled. I ^eath like a stork ne'er feeds on shrunken meat. GiA. Nanna, why say you we shall part, if not you die? Nan. The devil hath decreed it — I can read it in the planets as Ihey turn— Darlin', put here your cheek, Nan wants to kiss it for the last, Jast time. GiA. Oh Nanna! Kill me, but do not leave me when you go! What would become of me ? Thou'st made me like you better than myself. Nan. Fie, thou shalt loathe oie when I cast my hide ; tbou'st bedded with a snake, played in its shining coils, and sucked the poison of its deadly tooth— so have I charmed thee into love. Go you unto the palace by the sea, which once 1 shmved you ; take you this locket, give it to tiie hands cvf one Termenes ; talk not lo him of Nan — say 'twas a gift from one now dead. Go not from him till he has seen the scar upon tby neck (it is a birih spot ) he will know the mark. He hath for this pame knowledge offered a diamond crown — it shall be thine ! GiA. Why talk on so of crowns, when thou dfst know in that same tour thou leav'st, the bandit will o'erpower and sieze me. If thou'rt a serpent, sting me, let me die ! What, hast thou saved me in my inno- cence to fuus condemn me in my riper years, and'dost thou league with Feldamor. Man. Feldamor ; the gods forbid ! Take you this dirk ; it hath a venomed point. Pierce thy sweet flesh and die in that same hour he c\otb o'erpower thee. It shall not be — thou hast a lover in whose keep- hig thou'lt be safe — GiA. A j^tver, Nan ! Not e'en n\yself respects me, since thou hast cast me out. Who iheu can love ? Nan. Norvo is kin to thee, he is my son, more now I cannot tell. Bince he is flown I needs must It ! low. He comes that loves thee ; this js the hour. Put on yon scarlet rig, make yourself seemly in his pres- ence. 1 will crawl out and wa!ch the crafty bandit — he durst not turn f.he socket of my gaze — so cringe the weaker devils in my sight ! \ Exit GiA. Cursed is my fate, cursed beyond recall ! Whom can it be that € ounsel'st with tbe witch in my behalf; so I do hate him! It is he that gives her !( n ve io swap me off, making herself a snake, that 1 may cringe to f<.;'«»vv in her path ! She is not that she says, but what she is !* • nie IB dubious — What am I ? Whence the issue ihat did'st bind o\e ACT II] (;R, iiETUIBLTiUX. 21 to a lineage so base, which a proud spirit hath not power to change? To meet a lover, did she say ? So will I habit as the sorceress, and know his plan of getting on in love. • Puts on rig. Rapping at door. GiA. Come in ; Come in. Enter Mazzo. Maz . Is this the cottage of the witch ? GiA. Who's this that, guilty, seeks the dark for divination ? Maz. It is the artist, whom you bcde to come, with promise that Gianina should be here. GiA. Aye, aye ; So, so. But dost thou love the maid with that pure kind that thou would'st sink thyself to mate her ? Maz. So do I hold her in my mind that I would yield my name, my love of art, society, aye, sverylhing, to wander in the trackless forest at lier side. GiA. {throws off mantle) Oh, gentleman, it is myself. Maz. My bird, it needs not eyesight to detect thy song. Put herethy hand, feel how the thunder beats within my breast. So thy sweet voice doth echo in these hollow walls. Thou hast my heart, give thine to me : thus shall the tempest in the sunshine sleep. GiA. Thou didst nol always love me ? Maz. I never loved till now. GiA. So then the high born lady did not have thy heart? Maz. Nay, more then brother heart, this now she hath. Thou wouldsl my past, she that is wizard may undo with thee ; but oow, sweet, let me be acquaint if this my wooing is averse to thee ? Gianina. speak ! Tell me if I have favor in thy grace — thou still art silent (puts arm around) lei me unseal those lips, they burst with nectar, if I sip them not. GiA. Nay ! When I lend them to thy use, then shall I all be thine. U'ncap the fountain and the hidden spring gushes to life, wasting itself ;n spray Maz. Still thou art doubtful or thou dost not love. GiA. Dear genflemau, I know not what is love. Tliou must have fell before thus to be conscious it were rightly named. Maz. When thou dost speak a thousand pulses wait upon thy words : ^Yheu thou art done they leap about me in such rapidness, I live a life- time in a single hour. GiA. Not thus Gianina feels, then must it be she doth not love. Maz. Tell me, have I no hope that yet thou mayst be thrilled? GiA. 1 feel cot that I breathe at all when thou art nigh — my eyelids half are shut with with sleepy drowsiness — I dream, the air is full of music, so subdued, so soft, it doth intoxicate my brain — I grow acrazed — my senses plunge into delirium — so sweet — so holy — that I Hoat on wings I Maz. (aside) Oh ; it is love I What else could breathe such tender- ness ? (to GiA.) Sweet dreamer, make here a pillow while thou sleepst, ^o thou mayst never wake since that thine ecstacy be love — GiA. Love I that was nurtured on the breast of hate ; cradled in vice : 22 THKSBA'S BABF, [aijT It ired by the bread of pluoder : This in exchaoj^e tor Ihy pure heart ! oh, ihat I might have died ere 1 had met the torments of this hour— legions of spotless angels crowd thy way — their white robes trail not in the (>ypsy's path, go thou with them ; roses shall bloom to breathe their fragrance, as they kiss thy feet. Go, thou dear gentleman ere thou shalt "ook to hate — Go, while in blindness, thou dost think me fair. Oh, leave me — Icfive me — I beseech you- leave me ! Go, go : I will not — dare not — cannol love — {falh at his feet weeping .) Maz, {raising her.) Swee! one, refrain from this. 1 cannot witnef it — Gianina — darling — wcrt thou a Magda!eoe» with this ?^ame heart T could not love thee less ! Say thou ari mine- say we may never pari- :?peak, or in silence I shall read consent. GiA. (springing a ira;t/.) Oh, gentleman, thou'st folded rags against iihy costly suit ; look, they have stained thee in their contact, ihin-v aere the beggar that forgets her filth thus to contaminate her God : Maz. Child ! Love I Gianina ! Come to me, let me enfold you I I m\ but human, thou art all divin^e ! GiA. Not so ; my reason has come back.. Thine arms shall ueV-r eu- corapass me again till robes of purity shall cover me. Nanna did oay i should be snowy robed, so shall it be when waves of death shall wash iway my stains, and over there beyoiid the tlood, kind one, Gianina, white and clean, shall dream again upon thy breast. {Tarns to get.) Ma/. Thou win not leave me i' GiA. Go thou— in kindness go — else will I pierce me in thy sight. — Maz. Gianina, for the love I bear, I beg, beseech you, fly with me. Nan did agree to it ; w^hy should you refuse ? GiA. So doth she hate thee, else she would not thrust a bantling or 'hine hands. Nanna did say 1 was in wedlock bred, but much I fear me it were hard to prove. I know not what I was — but what I am debases me enough. Maz. Never such soul as thine begotten was in sm ; tbou wast a pri- OQal issue from the womb of love. Such allegation doth its record bear, written by angels hands — legal accounting heaven copieth not. GiA . Thou'dsr fashion me a Peri, saintlier than a dove, but I am not. aor ever can be, what thou makest me. Maz. I would not have thee changed from thy sweet self. Wast is an idle word, art is a present peace, and will be, hath of joys inimortal. Wih be my joy ? GiA. Here take my vow — I will be thine — in spirit evermore. Maz, Give me the casket where the jewel lies; so may T never lo-e it. GiA. Thou canst not have it, till 'tis silken Hned. Rags were a libel m the jewel's worth. Go, lest the bandit track thee out and kill thee. Leave me while yet the l^eldame crouches in his path. Go, go. If thou dost love me, prove it in thy going. Maz. Wilt thou refuse to My with me ' GiA. Thou'lt prove thy breeding if thou leaves! me. Maz. Bird, thy conditions urge me — T will come again. Will iiiou I come ? GiA. {turning face, weeps,) I know not, gentleman, if we shall meet igain. Good night ; good night. ACr U] UH, KETRIBIJTION. 2B Ma/. May the ;;o Enter Feldamok. GiA. How dur'fct thou step across the sill 'i Fel. Uo, thou art pert ! Come now, my lass, you'll cuddle in the Buzzard's nest till morn ! GiA. Stand, Feldamor, / fear thee not ! How art thou grown so bold ? Fel. The bag is dead, the painter, curse him, bleeds upon the sward, blubbering your name with his last breath. So you are mine, a bawdry for my use ; nor death shall hocus me. since 1 will fit thee tor" mv chum in hell ! GiA . Art thou the murderer of ray love and Nan ? Fel. {shoivs watch) Dost see this trinket ? it did loop his vest ! Gai. True ; 1 did see it once upon his front. He wore not any such to-night. Feldamor, Nan is not killed ! No, she is here ; her spirit doth embolden rae. Thou say'st my love is dead. His heart is in mj breast — /felt not the twinge of paid. That thou ait base enough to spill their blood I question not. Kill me if thou hast murdered them — prove here thy valor in the act. Thou durst not strike ; so do I dare thee and defy thy threats ! Fel. Ha, ha ! the cat has found her claws ; so shall I pare them io my tutelage. Come to my lodge — so thou comest willingly, all's well ; refuse me and by all the gods, thy blowsy flesh shall wizen in my den ! GiA. Hast thou an honor in thine oath ? And is't for me to choose ? Fel. Thou croon'st like the hag ; Thou'st part and lot with her ! ^ So doth ray hate consume my beastial fire — but on its funeral pile cao- tankeious vengeance burns ! Thou impious toad ! Thou blue aristo- crat ! By Hell and Jupiter, I'll starve that blood out of your purple veins or hell shall cauterize thy soul ! Go to the charnel and be d — d ! Consort with rotting corpses ! Play tag with the ghosts I Blanch I Die ! Ha, ha ! Thou dost defy me ! Hist on your carcass ! GiA. If thou didst hate me, thou would's spurn to touch. Go, I will follow to the den. {.Exeunt ACT 111. SCENE I. Apartment in Hermettjs' Palace. Enter Claudia. Clau. Oh, my ! Oh, my ! Oh, my ! Goline ia married to a gypsy — a regular black faced gypsy. Oh, I shall die, I know I shall ! All his doin's — Hermetus doin's. I done my best to get him out ; but no, he'd have his say that night, and now be gets bis pay. I'm glad ; just; glad ! But it will be my death ! Ah, yes, my death ! But who will care ? Not he. If 1 was dying in my eins, be would not g( t the priest A(n IM I OR, KETRIBUTION. 25 to save me ! ()h, oh I I haven't shut my eyes a wink smca she ran off — Hermetus dr/m's (weeps.) Enter Hekmetus imohserved. Hek. {walking up and down) Go, blast the varmit ! And my old woman — sink her ! All her fault ! I've said them novels would be- t waddle her ! All the old woman's fault ! Here I have spent another day — a likely cambist to neglect my loans — a very dog on irack — (runs into Claudia.) Clau. Oh, my head ! Hek. Go soak your head ! You've got things in a pretty fuddle. Clati. You'd better talk of me ; just see the end of that romantic girl! Her. Romantic fool ! I'll chain her up head down, get something in her brain to physic out this folderol. Ci>AU. My iear Goline ! No one could know your sweet poetic tastes like me — Her. Go sickly bovine, with your bossy calf ! Thou art not weaneO from suckhng her, I trow. Clau. Hermetus, I am getting in a faint ! My heart — oh, dear, my heart ! I feel so strange — one of my dreadful spells — Her. Go on, you're doing well. Give us a fit; but mind, seme othes* dolt V ill hold your fist, while the young pert gads off to get her future in a gypsy camp — Clau. (aside) How could he know ? Hermetus, do you say I knew Goline was going to the camp ? I never knew it, there ; I never did. I that was sick to death, (weeps) the doctor said so. Ob, you cruel, cruel man ! Enter Julia. Jul. Mistress mine own, there is a woman wants to see you baO (aside) hem ! (tries to attract Claudia) Clau. (still weeping) I cannot see her, bid her go on — Her. Show me the trickster ; I do mind this hem, when it doth show a kink up in the ej'e — {Exit Hermetus Jul. Mistress, mine own ; it is Goline. Clau. {rising) Goline ? Where ? Where is Goline ? (starts to go} Jul. Mistress, I pray you stay. She has the gypsy too — Clau. The Gypsy and his bride ! Oh, the disgrace ! Jul. And you did never see such pets of eyes. My, my ; but he's a sugar lump, a very sweety of a woman's man ; the perfect essence of romancity. I'd rather have him than a king, I had ! Clau. Hush you ! — I fear Hermetus will do violence. Heard you that wail ? Jul. No, mistress mine ; That is yon sycamore that creaks the live- long day. Stay you, it will be better if you stay. Clau. How looks Goline ? is her eyes swoll'n with grief ? Jul. Goline ! Her face is like a bed of pinks ; I almost smelt 'em when I kissed her cheek. Clau. I must go down ; I cannot remain — Jul, Mistress, mine own : and you should mark his bashful lovin' 26 THESbA'S BAliK, [act Ul ways ; he looks down al her, as a school boy on bis first new breecheS(,. aod gravy questions it' 'lis him or no. Clau. 1 hear uo words. Hermetus must have put them out. Jul. There is a hoiden come to smooth the mattei with Hermety&. Do nothing fear, the master is o'er fond of that white chick; nothing ma- locks his money chests like her soft palaver. Clau. Julia, ojo to the door ; I do believe they're all a coming np. Jul. Let us set by as though we never thought. Clau. Julia, my psalts ; the air oppresses me. Jul. Now mistress, you do let the master speak. J^'M^er Hermetul, Goline, Norvo, and Capo. GoLiNE/a^^.y /«• CLAr- DiA's arms weeping. Cavo. Good Claudia, night and day thou hast in labor lain, But may so fine a sou make thee forget thy pain. Heu. Good Claudia, save tears for funeral obsequies ; this is a day foe joy and revelry. Give this our son a welcome, if you will, he's worffc; a dozen of your color daubs. Claf. {wiping eyes) We welcome you into our heart and home. Noir, Thai's all right ; I'm suited in my bargain, glad you like it too. (jollne's a pretty girl, a deuced pretty girl. Her. Come now, ha, ha ! Wake up the premises, blow loud th« horns — ha, ha ! We'll have a glad triumphal ! Gold, cake, and wine flow free for Roman citizens to-day ! Come Claudia to my arms — ^h«f up — Come son and daughter, all, we'll to the garden for a romp. [Exeunt Claudia, Hermetus, Golink and NoRva Capo. So runs the world — the mouth goes up or down as pipes tbc tune of joy or woe. So the old bluster's going to have a feast ? Ha^ ha I The cord that ties the money bag runs from the heart ; loosen it there the knots will fall apart. It is the hour in which I am to meet the artist — my blood runs cold within me, for she, the saintliest angel of his' love, dies every moment in that poisonous den. The hole is in the bills whose bowels are a honeycomb of tombs — there lives a hermit oa the further side, a monk of wondrous age ; he hath accounting of eac&L seam and fissure in the rock ; he did acquaint me that a dozen mem conld open up a passage to the den and free the maid — I must away ; an hour's delay might see the death watch on her brow. [ExBt SCENE II. lliG bandifs cave and exterior of den. Enter YrL- . lette with food and flask; approaches den. Vil. This is the frightful den. I fear to open lest I fail as dead! {unlocks cmd opens') Gianina, are you here ? All is as' silent ass tomb — Gianina sleeps — it may be she is dead — I durst not move — this is a horrid place— an awful smell of deadness- Gianina, wake ! wake u^ it is Villette, with food. (Gianina, rises^ strikes away, falls.) Vil. I durst not stay — I shake in very fear ! Gianina ! Gianina 1 GiA. What is't ? I felt its claws--I thought me Villie spake. Vil. Gianina, 'tis Villette, come here to bring you food. GiA. How durst thou venture in this place ? So shall thy bones kee^ company with mine ! Vil. The bandit dead is drunk ; snoring he lay within his lodge : I stole me to his side and from a leathern bag did filch these keys ; this one M'T hi] or, RETKiHJrriON. 27 isBlocks the cave and this the den ; here is his !ia*k--lake it aud get of 3|>irit in thy veins. OiA. The flask is Feidanior's — take it from hence. Though every Mood drop in me hath an open mouth, pursed out to suck the aroma of Me, I bid the starvling feast upon my flesh, gnaw on the muscles in my wasted shape, drink of my breath, but taste not the nepenthe of satanic last ! Villettc, thou'rt over good, I thought me none did care or pity : Capo did come — days have gone by since then. V[L. Capo has fled the camp ; he told me could he free you from the §uri then he would marry me. GiA, Aye, then thou'lt linger in virginity. V'illette, give me the moi- M'l 5n thy hand ; I'll try to live, that I may meet my love -so may'st &€)U meet with thine, (af sight of food a fiolf starved mongrel rUes. ) YiL. (screaramg) The beast ! Look I Holy Virgin save ! Gianina, m^ ; its eyes are on thy food ! See, it is moving — what is that 'i Ob, His most horrid den -it comes- -it falls — (Villette ^7'/'««p.y Gianina. ) GiA. {indting her awcty) Villette, be calmed ; it cannot do thee Mrm. A mongrel thing — of dog — of woman — it doth never rise save ■when the bandit comes or scents it food — rises to fall a shapeless mass. It circles round ere it goes off to sleep and once springing its length of €^ain did claw me on the cheek. Nanua did tell me hell had firey &nds and flames that burned eternal ; that were a cleanly heritage to 5S»ls foul den ; fire doth purify, consumes malaria, breathes life above contagion, makes earth akin to Heaven, This is mj' torment, he that pit me here the devil grim, to be his consort were supremest agony. Go l^u, Villette ; if thou stay'st longer, thou'lt be d — d, as I. Fly from Ifee bandit as thou hop'st for peace. ViL. Gianina, as I live I'll seek thee here again. Take thou sweet «5>33rage ; we shall yet be free I GiA. G*^), Villie, 1 do tremble for thy life. Go. V'lL. Thou must get free, else I do lo^e my Capo's husbanding — he iseds me not if thou diesl here. GiA, We'll die togeiher is thou get'st not off. ViL. So must I go. flark, I do liear the bandit shutflinj on the way. l%;Ifly. [ExltSu. €hA. (coming oat of den) Sweet air, how I do fill myscif with thee ! iJfaught of infinitude : power of Almightiness ! life! What's lifer Each breath an hour is the mc>re to suffer in its kiss seductive of en- •wombed pangs. I ask not now to live, nor 5'et to die, only to meet ni\' )&ve in purit}', my love ! mine .' The words sound a monody above my ti>5se. a trental for my soul passing the stygian tide. I, that did hold :myself accursed, the object of a thought! It seems a vagary conjured in lifain oblivious of reason, to be embosomed in caressing aims, shelter- •^, protected, honored aud beloved. Great God permit I palsied the league that dar'st to mock at Deity — the sun ne'er rises west though half ® world do obsecrate with heaven. Life's ocean hath no pilot for acrafi Me mine, sailing along at mercy of the element, ploughed in its furrows, ore off a son, w^hom in disowning, justice will not duplicate. 1 led a Grecian to the alter, fairer than Helen, yet as Mary pure, 'but on the glove that nestled in my palm I saw the shadow of another hand. A twelvth month past, and on the fragrant breast of Thesba lay the sweet- est babe a doting mother's mouth e'er kissed. Kind of her kind, and moulded of her shape, she marveled much a consort so devout should fipurn the offspring of connubial joy; but ever as I bent to touch, a tawny face exultant peered between. The child was stolen, Thesba is in the tomb, all that a generous God bequeathed, crushed in the grasp of one scorned woman — of Nanopatra Enter Geta. Geta. Good, my Lord : there waits a beggar, by her look. What is thy lordship's will with her ? ACT IV] OR, RETKIBUTION. 29 Ter. Take her theie driblets (hands coin) and aa old man's blessing. Geta. Here face is oh ! so pinched and pitiful, no common racca I do see so much. She begs not money, but moments with your lordship. Ter. a sorrowed look doth come into my breast, as the shunM lamb into a shepherd fold o'er which in pity I do bleat Geta. Good, Lord ; she hath a look like as an homeless one. Ter. Pity the patent of abducted child ! his heart drawn ligaments do bind a kingdom's woes. A hand, a tress, a passing dimpled cheek, a little grave wet with love's tears and flower strown, all like a dagger plunge into the wound, how e'er so closely lime hath stitched it up. Geta. My Lord, she hath a look like the sweet lady Thesba, saint above. Ter. Thoa^rt in thy dotage and thine eye bedimmed. Go, thou ; e'en though she hath an eye lash of my love, I'll bleed- die — for a gaze on't. Geta- Good, Lord ; ihou'lt have her here? Ter. Thou said'st she minded thee of Thesba. If there be semblance e'en so slight, thy dear perception shall l^e revenued. Geta. Thoa'll give her audience ? Trr. I will she comes. (Exit Geta ) Thesba ! the spectral name doth send a palsy creeping through my veins, till sluggish clots run in the pur- plish tide. Thus death and age do play at hide and seek, death gets the game. Enter Geta. Geta. Good, Lord ; the maid attends. Ter. Bid her come in. (Enter Gia. in long close mantle) Here sit thee by and rest thy weariness. I would a generous legacy of time since thou hast chosen it in lieu of coin. Gia. Most noble Signor, I have borne a gift— it is from one gone dead. Ter. a gift? Nay, hang it on thy neck: I've need not for the bauble, thou must own. Gia. Kind signor, it doth bear a lady's face -saintly as Agnesc. Ter. The more it mateth thee, if that thy countenance be parcel with thy grace. Keep yet the toy, and wag on with that voice that hath most touching symphony. An old man's utterance is slow and hath a tremble in it. Was the dead named that thou could'st tell it me ? Gia. Good sir, I know not if I understand. Ter. I say— the gift -I mean — (conghs) a cough most troublesome to me. Who is't I say ? What one is dead ? Gia. The dead are many that I might not name. Ter. Who that is dead did send this trinket here ? Gia . She that did send the gift said me to name her not, the locket hung once on a baby's neck. Ter. Give't here ! 'Tis Thesba's face 1 (falls back.) Gia. Thou'rt palmg man, (throws off mantle) thou need'st of air, {opens sash) poor Signor ! (presses his haed) sweet kind gentleman ! Ter. Thou art the child— thou'rt Thesba's babe ! (draws Gia to him) Thesba, it is thy child- the mark is here -these are thy treeses— aye, thy countenance — thy shape ! Heaven, take the joy — it fits nor earth, nor me ! (weeps- ) M) THESHA's babe, [act IV GfA. Poor one, thy mind is out. I would not it come back so I might tenant its sweet oecupance. No one did wet me with such woe, so shall 5t be entombed through mj' lips entrance (kisses q(t'iears) I feel no shrinking in this clasp, nor yet such joy as I have in another's known. I feel the place were mine, all mine — I do forget — kind Signer, let me off, I grow too fond, if thou dost press rae so. I am a beggar, Sire, a MTetched, homeless one. Ter. Thou'rt child in woman's shape. ThouVt Thesba and het babe grown one, the more to bless GiA. (drawing away) What raeanst thou in this Thesba that thou nam'st 'i I am of kin to Nan. Ter. Child, name her not ; 'twere she that snatched thee from the bank — Thesba did give thee birth — she that an angel is. Thy sire is here, Heaven claspetb earth, in that thou'rt bound of both. Gi4.. Song of my childhood, spirit of holiness, my mother! My father ! (falls in / arms). IJntcr Gkta. Geta. Good mercy me ! What vile adventurer is this ? Master Ter- menes. Ter. (looking iq), still holding Gia,) What would you ? Get. There waits a Roman in the vestibule. Tbr. Shut out the world and all its occupants, this happy hour is mine. Geta. He comes to seek the Gyps3% and his name — GiA. (springing i/p) Is what ? Geta. Mazzo. GiA. It is a gentleman who has been kind to me. Woulds't thou the maid retire whilst I speak 'i Ter. Go \vait, till thou art summoned by the bell. [BxU Geta GiA. It is my lover, he that did woo me in my rags, loves rae better Ihan greatness, better than wealth, better than all the world, in that, he bath forsaken them for me. Good man, my father, as thou lov'dst Thesba, is Gianina loved. Trr. My child, I would have audieuce e'er thou see'st thy love ; trust birn to me. Go thou into thy chamber, 'twas prepared for thee by thine mother's hands ; she did conceive thou would'st return a woman grown, and when she, dying, whispered a farewell, she bade me keep it waiting till thou'st come. The maid will show you to the room, there you will ^nd a wardrolie from the costliest fabrics, jewels of rarest quality and hue. Go shed thy rags as thou hast thy condition, make thyself fair as the sweet soul that nestles in thy flesh, (rings) Gta. My mother's hands, her loving hands, toiling for me. Oh, pre- cious tokens ot a mother's love, I'll kiss them for a lifetime,till that each thread shall bear the impress of my thankfulness. £jnter Geta. Ter. Take thou this lady to the gilded room ; aasist her as thou dld'st the Lady Thesba . Geta. What, hast thou gotten married, man ? Ter. Go to thy task, thou shalt be duly made acquaint with all. Bid Josef to conduct the stranger here . [Exeimf Gi\. and Gkt a ^CT IV ] OB, RETKIBMTION. ai Teh. The grave baih opeued and the dead come lourtb : thrice bless^ ed joy whose blossoms spring from out the ashes of decayed hopes. My child come back to me, restored by the same power whose shadow hath shut out life's sunshine for a score of years, and whose fell hand hath traced line after line of suffering on this brow. It is forgiven, in that I hope for pardon from my sins. My child returned— ])ut, ah ! there's stolen that which cannot be restored — she loves — 'tis given out — and he the claimant waits within my halls. My daughter's suitor ; he knows not 'tis my daughter, so shall 1 prove him worthy or pronounce hiss false. Enter Mazzo and Joskf, ivho retires. Teh. Intirraity doth make me slow to rise ; sit thou near by. Maz. -Tie a rao.st hospitable heart that bids me here, since that my eirand brings me not in company of greatness. Tkr. I understand thou'rt on a Gypsy hunt. So fine a gentlemac should mn a wealthier track ; thou'rt sure no friend of such a beggar ! Maz. I canre to see the maid of whom thou speak'st disdainingly. Tek. • Tls likely thou hast hunted her to test the oracle^ of fate wiib rctereoce lo some sp<^culation thou'st on hand. Maz. Good sire, thy bounteous revenue hath made of thee a stranger to the poor — many an angel trails- a tattered gown and bows ignoble ir the plebian dust. The Gypsy hath a soul above her state. Tkr. Thou'rt half in love with her I tiow; she hath won on thee with her pretty face, thou 'It over it another change of moon. Maz. I love the Gypsy, love her as my life, and though the moon and sun change places, it will not shift the orbit of my choice. Ter. Young sire, thy stale is not like the many who, svhile they lead a princess into court and smile obedience to her glittering wand, have yet to own the power of a touch, a lender word, a sigh, from her the simple maiden who hath gotten the heart. Maz. I find not pleasure in this interview since that thou understand'st me not. Wilt thou I longer wait ere I do see the maid ? Ter. Stay thou l ill that my daughter shall have come. Though I do say it she's the fairest maid since that old Troy was sacked in woman's cause. Maz . The pictures we behold are what the lens of our perceptioa makes them. Greater or less a thing of beauty as the heart's love doth magnify and color them. Ter. Would I might show thee as thyself art seen, so would'st thou be persuaded from thy course and seek thy mate from gayer plumaged bird. What say you to the pheasant of Termenes ? I'm free to own thou suit'st me for an heir. Maz. Would'st thou so like me if I were false ? Tkb. Thine heart is large enough for this my daughter and the Gypsy too. MAZ. What ! Would'st thou give thy seed unto a bigamist ? Ter . My daughter loves thee with the self same passion as thy dusky maid. Maz. Thou speak'st in parables profound and 'plexing. How can she love one whom she never saw ? Ter. Thou'st seen her and I wot, thou hast caressed and fondled her. :i2 IHKSBA'S UABK, r^CT IV Maz. Thou doht uol know me, or tboa'si been c'.i^coived by thine in- formant. 1 never knew the daughter of Terraenes, nor can 1 be per- suaded ihere exists a heart with love such as Gianina's. Ter. Hear then ; the Gypsy thou think'st thine— did lay within these arms, hugging my breast, scarcely an hour ago. Maz. 'Tis monstrous perfidy ! Thyself art curst if that thy words have shadow of a ti-uth. That she my love, scarcely consenting to her lover's clasp, should lie a ready fondling on another's breast! 'Tis false, false as thj'self ! The charge is inHmovis— (turns to go) Entci' GiANiNA, veiled. Tee. Wait thou ; Termenes' daughtei doth attend with knowledge of the Gypsy's whcre'bouts. [Exit Ter Maz. Most honored lady, I do wish thee well, though we be strangers. GiA. Strangers ? Thou dost not then remember to have met me. 1 saw thee in the streets of Rome, and since that hour have loved thee with a passion whose devouring flame hath eaten of my soul, turned night-time into day, thrust back the clowds till that in heaven's bright- ness I grow blind, and arope the veriest beggar for thy hand. 3Iaz. Kind lady, thou speak'st strangely to a man thou'st met but but once ; but ere thou hop'st, know thou that I am plighted, all my sense and soul, to a fair Gypsy maid — she that did come with message to Termenes ; 'tis her I seek. GiA. The mendicant hath gone, thou 'it never see her as thou hast been wont. Maz . Gone i Gone ? GiA . Spare my poor ears; thou sing'st of gone in tones that deafen me. Here, take my hand ; — thou mayest kiss it if thou fiud'st the Gyp with- in these walls. Maz . {takes hand) The hand, (aside) Gianina's own— is wondrous fair ; (aside) it is my love I So I do have it, I'll forego the search. (kisses hand). GiA . Thou'rt rude ; but yet a little rudeness kindly meant were better than a tame conspiracy. I would thou lov'dst me as thou bv'st the maid. Maz. (putting arm around) That I do love thee heaven witness it! GiA. (drawing a?.£;a^) Hast thou forgotten then thy gypsy love ? Maz. I have no love save she that blesses me in this same hour. GiA. Art thou not plighted to another's heart ? Thyself hath said it. Maz. So doth thy being revel in my sense, I know not, care not, what I may have said ; so that thou press me and art ever near-— wilt thou be mine — for ever mine ? GiA. (aside) H e loves me not ! He loves me not ! Tell me, in heaven's name — Kind gentleman, should I consent would not some fair- er grace win thee away ? Untrue to one meaneth untrue to all, Maz. Angels, bear witness, in this my heart thou reign'st omnipotent. A goddess at whose shrine all that within me is bows and doth wor- ship. GiA. (aside) Oh, God ! That I should live for this ! Thou knowest not what is underneath this veil. Maz. Bind thou mine eyes, and I will venture for a guess. (Gia, bi7ids eyes) It is the fairest maid m all of Venice, one who in proving ACT l\] OR, RETRIBUTION. 33 other's love, hath shown her owe fond heart. My bird, my own dear love, it is— Gianina ! (Ma^zo takes off hand. Gianina unveils) GiA. How could'st thou know her in this altered state? Maz. Ai^ knows the jay the twitter of it? mate. Wha» means this ohcnge ; an thou adopted of Termenes ? GiA. f am the daughter of Termenee, by the ties of blood. Nanna did steal me from my mother's arms — she that is now a saint— bore me away into the Gypsy's camp, smce when, until I brought the message yesternighi, I have been mouraad as dead. Oh, Mazzo, it is like I dreamt. Enter Termbnes. GiA. {going to Teb.) My father mine, {kisses hand) this is the lover whom thou heard'si me say, my most true Mazzo. Teb. .Welcome, good welcome to my grateful heart. How swells thy love, is jt no! Urge enough for this my daughter and the gyp&y too ? Maz. Mosi reverend sire, I am an huniblr^ artisan of Rome and came not as a guest, thou kuow'st. Ter. Thou hast a heart as huu of Nazareth, lo lift the face cloth from a thing while all around do say " it stinkeih." Into the charne! of the grave bound Sv)ul thou'si poured the sunshine of divinest trust, till the blanched hope, flushed with incommg life, mounts like an eaglet to to its kindred crag, with downward gaze on the incongruous world, Maz. So high 't has perched 1 may not bring if down. Mine was a iowly maid ; she scttrce consenting, what have I to hope in this a prin- ticss' love ? GiA. I gave the jewel to my love so kind, Take now the casket, it is " silken lined." Ter. Thus in consenting thou art grown to one, wedded is all save tn?i; which man accounts ; — so all impatient wait I for my love as thou bast waited thine, so doth anticipation lend me wings, that I do hurry death, whose nuptial rue will bind to an eternity of joy. The sands run low, I. would they lasted til! the priest haih ble^^sed thy nmxy. Bid in thy friends, I will a banquet for thy marriage day, so shall new brancbp'- trim the gnarled trunk, ere yet the top be fall'n to the ground. GiA. Dear father, shall I sob or sigh? Smile or bow down in grief ? Ter. Thou sob'st to have me die. Go thou with thy dear one in some sweet place, and leaning on his breast learn theje what were the senti- ments, or smiles, or tears. Go while I rest ; if thou return'st clear eyed, — thou'st drunk the nectar'd drop, if they be swollen, thou hast mistaken where thine heart is set. {lies on sofa) GiA. {covering with mantle) Good father, rest. Mazzo, wilt come? I have a volume of best news to tell. [Exeurd Gia. and Maz. Enter Nan. clad as ghost Nan. Ha ! This is the palace of Termenes, gilded and trapped out with his cursed gold. Nothing astir in all the premises— I knocked three times upon the gate, the guard did open and at sight of me fell down as dead. Armed to the teeth with dagger points and clubs struck dumb an a man," Josef. You talk as though 'twere an un- common case. We two have known the whole on't. Well nigh a score of years we've run to oless the wants of yon old man. Poor soul, the hulk is drifting fast upon the rocks. Saints attend ! Ter. {faintlif) Josef — how long — before — Ihey come ? I've had a vision — slie my love — waits — waits — give me to — wet — my lips — JoHEF.. Here is the water, master. Ter. Think you — they come? Geta. I will look out and see if I do get a sight at them {opens sash) aye, aye ; far up the great canal, just heaving from yon bridge, I see the fleet of Gondola. See you yon banner, Josef, it bears the lion of St. Marks, so must a priest be coming with the twain. Ter. Hark, I do hear a joyful wedding strain ! — hear'st — thou — Jrtsef — Josef Good master, I do mark it well. Geta. Master, compose yourself ; they be already come. Josef Take thou these drops, they will of strength. Geta. Heard'st thou the pageant on the portico? (sound of music) Ter. Raise me — a little up — light up the candles — the room is — dark — so — daik — Enter Priest^ Gianina and Mazzo, Goline and Nonvo, Claudia and Hermetus, Villettk and Capo, Bbownell with bags. Priest, {advancing to couch) By all the holy powers on me con- ferred, most noble Termenes, I do present these unto thee as one. (Qia. and Maz. kneel by couch) Ter. My — bless — ing — rest — upon thy — head — daughter — and — son — of Thesba andr-Termenes. Keep thou — this palace — ours is up — above — the mansion — of — the — blest. [Dies Priest, 'Tis over {priest prayiug, all bow.) Exter Nan. covered in white ; stealthily approaches ; Brow2ibll seeing., hides bags. Josef. Master Termenes — dead — Nan. Dead! {all start) Dead! Termenes — gone — {throws off sheet., straightens to full height) Death cheats Nanopatra's revenge! Earth gives not settlement ! We'll meet before the bar of Justice \ (stabs herself) CURTAIN. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 793 191 A •