RAIMOND. It will not, love! That hour will bring no bridal!-Nought of this To breathe fond tales, and make the twilight groves CONSTANCE. Oh! what mean thy words?-If then My steps are free,-I will. Be thou but calm. RAIMOND. Be calm!-there is a cold and sullen calm, And, were my wild fears made realities, It might be mine; but, in this dread suspense, There is no calm.-Yet fear thou not, dear love! I will watch o'er thee still. And now, farewell Until that hour! CONSTANCE. My Raimond, fare thee well. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Room in the Citadel of Palermo. All arm'd, and strong in vengeance and despair. DE COUCI. Doubtful and strange the tale! Why was not this ALBERTI. Mistrust me not, my lord! That stern and jealous Procida hath kept I knew not how to warn thee, though for this Their projects and their strength. Thou know'st my faith DE COUCI. How may we now Avert the gathering storm?-The viceroy holds His bridal feast, and all is revelry. -'Twas a true-boding heaviness of hear Which kept me from these nuptials. ALBERTI. Thou thyself Mayst yet escape, and, haply of thy bands Rescue a part, ere long to wreak full vengeance Before him with the tidings, in his pride DE COUCI. He must not die unwarn'd, Though it be all in vain. But thou, Alberti, ALBERTI. Noble De Couci, trust me still. Anjou. Commands no heart more faithful than Alberti's. DE COUCI. [Exit ALBERTI. The grovelling slave !-And yet he spoke too true! Will scorn the warning voice.—The day wanes fast, [Exit DE COUCH. SCENE V.-A Banqueting Hall. PROVENÇAL NOBLES assembled. FIRST NOBLE. Joy be to this fair meeting!-Who hath seen Her castle's wood-girt solitude. "Twill gall These proud Sicilians, that her wide domains Should be the conqueror's guerdon. THIRD NOBLE. "Twas their boast With what fond faith she worshipp'd still the name Of the boy, Conradin. How will the slaves Brook this new triumph of their lords? SECOND NOBLE. In sooth It stings them to the quick. In the full streets |