ROME.—A Lady’s Apartment, with a window open and looking
into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning, reading at a
table on which lie some books and a hand-mirror. In the
background JACINTA (a servant maid) leans carelessly upon a
chair.
_Lalage._ Jacinta! is it thou?
_Jacinta_ (_pertly_). Yes, ma’am, I’m here.
_Lal._ I did not know, Jacinta, you were in waiting.
Sit down!—let not my presence trouble you—
Sit down!—for I am humble, most humble.
_Jac._ (_aside_). ’Tis time.
(_Jacinta seats herself in a side-long manner upon the
chair, resting her elbows upon the back, and regarding her
mistress with a contemptuous look. Lalage continues to
read._)
_Lal._ “It in another climate, so he said,
Bore a bright golden flower, but not i’ this soil!”
(_pauses—turns over some leaves, and resumes._)
“No lingering winters there, nor snow, nor shower—
But Ocean ever to refresh mankind
Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind.”
Oh, beautiful!—most beautiful!—how like
To what my fevered soul doth dream of Heaven!
O happy land! (_pauses_) She died!—the maiden died!
O still more happy maiden who couldst die!
Jacinta!
(_Jacinta returns no answer, and Lalage presently resumes._)
Again!—a similar tale
Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea!
Thus speaketh one Ferdinand in the words of the play—
“She died full young”—one Bossola answers him—
“I think not so—her infelicity
Seemed to have years too many”—Ah, luckless lady!
Jacinta! (_still no answer_).
Here’s a far sterner story—
But like—oh, very like in its despair—
Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily
A thousand hearts—losing at length her own.
She died. Thus endeth the history—and her maids
Lean over her and weep—two gentle maids
With gentle names—Eiros and Charmion!
Rainbow and Dove!—Jacinta!
_Jac._ (_pettishly_). Madam, what _is_ it?
_Lal._ Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind
As go down in the library and bring me
The Holy Evangelists?
_Jac._ Pshaw! (_Exit._)
_Lal._ If there be balm
For the wounded spirit in Gilead, it is there!
Dew in the night time of my bitter trouble
Will there be found—“dew sweeter far than that
Which hangs like chains of pearl on Hermon hill.”
(_re-enter Jacinta, and throws a volume on the table._)
_Jac._ There, ma’am, ’s the book. (_aside._) Indeed she is very
troublesome.
_Lal._ (_astonished_). What didst thou say, Jacinta? Have I done aught
To grieve thee or to vex thee?—I am sorry.
For thou hast served me long and ever been
Trustworthy and respectful. (_resumes her reading._)
_Jac._ (_aside._) I can’t believe
She has any more jewels—no—no—she gave me all.
_Lal._ What didst thou say, Jacinta? Now I bethink me
Thou hast not spoken lately of thy wedding.
How fares good Ugo?—and when is it to be?
Can I do aught?—is there no further aid
Thou needest, Jacinta?
_Jac._ (_aside._) Is there no _further_ aid?
That’s meant for me. (_aloud._) I’m sure, madam, you need not
Be always throwing those jewels in my teeth.
_Lal._ Jewels! Jacinta,—now indeed, Jacinta,
I thought not of the jewels.
_Jac._ Oh, perhaps not!
But then I might have sworn it. After all,
There’s Ugo says the ring is only paste,
For he’s sure the Count Castiglione never
Would have given a real diamond to such as you;
And at the best I’m certain, madam, you cannot
Have use for jewels _now_. But I might have sworn it. (_Exit._)
(_Lalage bursts into tears and leans her head upon the
table—after a short pause raises it._)
_Lal._ Poor Lalage!—and is it come to this?
Thy servant maid!—but courage!—’tis but a viper
Whom thou hast cherished to sting thee to the soul!
(_taking up the mirror._)
Ha! here at least’s a friend—too much a friend
In earlier days—a friend will not deceive thee.
Fair mirror and true! now tell me (for thou canst)
A tale—a pretty tale—and heed thou not
Though it be rife with woe. It answers me.
It speaks of sunken eyes, and wasted cheeks,
And Beauty long deceased—remembers me,
Of Joy departed—Hope, the Seraph Hope,
Inurnèd and entombed!—now, in a tone
Low, sad, and solemn, but most audible,
Whispers of early grave untimely yawning
For ruined maid. Fair mirror and true!—thou liest not!
_Thou_ hast no end to gain—no heart to break—
Castiglione lied who said he loved——
Thou true—he false!—false!—false!
(_While she speaks, a monk enters her apartment and
approaches unobserved._)
[Illustration]
_Monk._ Refuge thou hast,
Sweet daughter! in Heaven. Think of eternal things!
Give up thy soul to penitence, and pray!
_Lal._ (_arising hurriedly_). I _cannot_ pray!—My soul is at war
with God!
The frightful sounds of merriment below
Disturb my senses—go! I cannot pray—
The sweet airs from the garden worry me!
Thy presence grieves me—go!—thy priestly raiment
Fills me with dread—thy ebony crucifix
With horror and awe!
_Monk._ Think of thy precious soul!
_Lal._ Think of my early days!—think of my father
And mother in Heaven! think of our quiet home,
And the rivulet that ran before the door!
Think of my little sisters!—think of them!
And think of me!—think of my trusting love
And confidence—his vows—my ruin—think—think
Of my unspeakable misery!——begone!
Yet stay! yet stay!—what was it thou saidst of prayer
And penitence? Didst thou not speak of faith
And vows before the throne?
_Monk._ I did.
_Lal._ ’Tis well.
There _is_ a vow ’twere fitting should be made—
A sacred vow, imperative and urgent,
A solemn vow!
_Monk._ Daughter, this zeal is well!
_Lal._ Father, this zeal is anything but well!
Hast thou a crucifix fit for this thing?
A crucifix whereon to register
This sacred vow? (_he hands her his own._)
Not that—Oh! no!—no!—no! (_shuddering._)
Not that! Not that!—I tell thee, holy man,
Thy raiments and thy ebony cross affright me!
Stand back! I have a crucifix myself,—
_I_ have a crucifix! Methinks ’twere fitting
The deed—the vow—the symbol of the deed—
And the deed’s register should tally, father!
(_draws a cross-handled dagger and raises it on high._)
Behold the cross wherewith a vow like mine
Is written in Heaven!
_Monk._ Thy words are madness, daughter,
And speak a purpose unholy—thy lips are livid—
Thine eyes are wild—tempt not the wrath divine!
Pause ere too late!—oh, be not—be not rash!
Swear not the oath—oh, swear it not!
_Lal._ ’Tis sworn!