ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.-Apartment in a Palace.

ERIBERT. VITTORIA.

VITTORIA.

Speak not of love-it is a word with deep,
Strange magic in its melancholy sound,

To summon up the dead; and they should rest,

At such an hour, forgotten. There are things

We must throw from us, when the heart would gather Strength to fulfil its settled purposes:

Therefore, no more of love!-But, if to robe

This form in bridal ornaments, to smile

(I can smile yet) at thy gay feast, and stand At th' altar by thy side; if this be deem'd Enough, it shall be done.

ERIBERT.

My fortune's star

Doth rule th' ascendant still! (Apart.)—If not of love, Then pardon, lady, that I speak of joy,

And with exulting heart

VITTORIA.

There is no joy!

-Who shall look through the far futurity,

And, as the shadowy visions of events

Develope on his gaze, 'midst their dim throng,
Dare, with oracular mien, to point, and say,

"This will bring happiness?"-Who shall do this? -Why, thou, and I, and all!-There's One, who sits In his own bright tranquillity enthroned,

High o'er all storms, and looking far beyond

Their thickest clouds; but we, from whose dull eyes

A grain of dust hides the great sun, e'en we

Usurp his attributes, and talk, as seers,

Of future joy and grief!

ERIBERT.

Thy words are strange.

Yet will I hope that peace at length shall settle

Upon thy troubled heart, and add soft grace

To thy majestic beauty.-Fair Vittoria !

Oh! if my cares

Of peace to all.

VITTORIA.

I know a day shall come

Ev'n from my darken'd spirit

Soon shall each restless wish be exorcised,

Which haunts it now, and I shall then lie down

Serenely to repose. Of this no more.

-I have a boon to ask.

ERIBERT.

Command my power,

And deem it thus most honour'd.

VITTORIA.

Have I then

Soar'd such an eagle-pitch, as to command
The mighty Eribert?-And yet 'tis meet;
For I bethink me now, I should have worn
A crown upon this forehead.-Generous lord!
Since thus you give me freedom, know, there is
An hour I have loved from childhood, and a sound,
Whose tones, o'er earth and ocean sweetly bearing
A sense of deep repose, have lull'd me oft
To peace-which is forgetfulness: I mean
The Vesper-bell. I pray you, let it be
The summons to our bridal-Hear you not?
To our fair bridal?

ERIBERT.

Lady, let your will

Appoint each circumstance. I am but too bless'd
Proving my homage thus.

VITTORIA.

Why, then, 'tis mine

To rule the glorious fortunes of the day,

And I may be content.

Yet much remains

For thought to brood on, and I would be left
Alone with my resolves. Kind Eribert !

(Whom I command so absolutely) now

Part we a few brief hours; and doubt not, when

I am at thy side once more, but I shall stand

There-to the last.

ERIBERT.

Your smiles are troubled, lady;

May they ere long be brighter!-Time will seem

Slow till the vesper-bell.

VITTORIA.

'Tis lovers' phrase

To say-time lags; and therefore meet for you:
But with an equal pace the hours move on,

Whether they bear, on their swift silent wing,
Pleasure or-fate.

ERIBERT.

Be not so full of thought

On such a day.-Behold, the skies themselves
Look on my joy with a triumphant smile,

Unshadow'd by a cloud.

VITTORIA.

'Tis very meet

That Heaven (which loves the just) should wear a smile
In honour of his fortunes.-Now, my lord,
Forgive me if I say, farewell, until

Th' appointed hour.

ERIBERT.

Lady, a brief farewell.

[Exeunt separately.

SCENE II.-The Sea-shore.

PROCIDA. RAIMOND.

PROCIDA.

And dost thou still refuse to share the glory

Of this, our daring enterprise?