ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I.-Apartment in a Palace. ERIBERT. VITTORIA. VITTORIA. Speak not of love-it is a word with deep, 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, "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 ERIBERT. Lady, let your will Appoint each circumstance. I am but too bless'd 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 (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: Whether they bear, on their swift silent wing, ERIBERT. Be not so full of thought On such a day.-Behold, the skies themselves Unshadow'd by a cloud. VITTORIA. 'Tis very meet That Heaven (which loves the just) should wear a smile 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? |