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[FOURTH EDITION.] 
 
 EVADNE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE STATUE. 
 
 Price Three ShilUms. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Arcinive 
 
 in 2007 with funding from 
 
 IVficrosoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/evadneorstatuetrOOsheirich 
 
EVADNE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE STATUE: 
 
 A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS : 
 
 AS PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. 
 
 BY RICHARD; SHEIL, Esq. 
 
 FOURTH EDITION. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 I 
 
 Printed by W. Chwes, Northumberland-cmirt ; and ' 
 SOLD BY J. MURRAY, ALBEMA RLE-STREET- 
 
 1819. 
 

 TO 
 
 THOMAS MOORE, ESQ. 
 
 IN TESTIMONY OF 
 THE AUTHOR'S SENSE OF THE 
 GENIUS, PATRIOTISM, AND PRIVATE WORTH, 
 OF THAT ILLUSTRIOUS POET, 
 AND OF 
 HIS GRATITUDE FOR MUCH PERSONAL KINDNESS 
 TOWARDS HIMSELF, 
 THIS TRAGEDY IS INSCRIBED. 
 
 M519080 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The Author has employed a part of the fable of 
 Shirley's ^^ Traytor\ in the construction of his 
 plot. In that tragedy, a kinsman, and favourite of 
 the Duke of Florence, contrives to excite in him 
 a dishonourable passion for the sister of a Florentine 
 nobleman, as the means of procuring the murder of 
 the Duke by the hand of the injured brother, and 
 thus opening the way for his own elevation to the 
 throne. 
 
 To that extent only the plot of this tragedy is 
 derived from Shirley. The incidents, situations, 
 distribution, characters, and language, (such as they 
 are), the Author hopes he may be pardoned 
 for observing, are his own. It will, perhaps, 
 be thought, that this detracts from his claim 
 to the merit of originality — He does not think 
 so. — No one contests the originaUty of Douglas, 
 because Home took his plot from an old ballad, 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 and even profited by the Merope of Voltaire. — 
 Rowe's Fair Penitenl is a still stronger case; 
 that fine tragedy is modelled on Massinger's 
 Fatal Dowfy ; — Otway and Southerne rarely 
 invented their plots. 
 
 The Author trusts his introduction of these names 
 will not be misinterpreted. He mentions them for the 
 purpose of justifying himself, by the authority of 
 their example. 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONiE. 
 
 THE KING OF NAPLES, Mr. Abbott. 
 
 LUDOVICO, his Favourite Mr. M'Cready. 
 
 COLONNA, Mr. Young. 
 
 VICENTIO, Mr. C. Kemble. 
 
 SPALATRO, Mr. Connor. 
 
 EVABNE, sister of Colonna • , Miss O'Neill. 
 
 OLIVIA, in love with Vicentio Mrs. Faucit. 
 
 Scene — Naples, 
 
PROLOGUE, 
 
 WRITTEN BY CHARLES PHILLIPS, ESQ. 
 SPOKEN BY MR. EGERTON. 
 
 When erst in Eden*s solitary bowers, 
 The primal Man beheld his world of flowers. 
 Eternal sunshine tinged the glorious sky, 
 Alternate beauties wooed his wandering eye ; 
 While infant Lc/ve, waving its odorous wing. 
 Woke the wild spirit of the breathing Spring. 
 Yet still through Paradise he restless strayed. 
 Its bower was son gless, and its sun was shade; 
 E'en as the Bard of Albany * has sung. 
 In strains that live for age, and yet are young, 
 Creation bloom*d, a decorated wild, — 
 It was not Paradise — till Woman smiled. 
 Fair on his view the Paragon arose. 
 Source of his bliss, and solace of his woes. 
 By bounteous Heaven ordainM to sooth his fall, 
 And sole survive, a recompense for all. 
 Who has not felt her chaste and charmed power 
 Beguile his sad, and raise his raptur'd hour ? 
 If such there be — Oh 1 let him bend his sight 
 Far from the hallowed vision of to-night. 
 To-night, our Bard, in lovely woman's cause, 
 Alone from manly bosoms asks applause ; 
 From British bosoms asks, without a fear, 
 Assured that such a cause is sacred here. 
 
 * Albany was the ancient name of Scotland. — Campbell. 
 
PROLOGUE. 
 
 And you, ye Fair, see young Evadne prove 
 Her vestal honour, and her pHghted love; 
 See her, the light and joy of every eye. 
 Veil all her charms in spotless chastity ; 
 And, *mid the fires and phantasies of youth, 
 Turn strong temptations to the cause of truth I 
 Oh ! may each maid Evadne* s virtue share. 
 With heart as faithful, though with form less fair. 
 You, too, who hope Ambition's height to climb. 
 Toiling to fortune through the maze of crime. 
 Behold, as in the daring ** fool of Crete." 
 Of such design, the lesson, and the fate : 
 Behold the wing that lifts it to the skies 
 Melt in the sun to which it sought to rise. 
 Such is the strain by which the moral Bard 
 Seeks from a moral people his reward : 
 Seeks in simplicity, without one aid 
 From scenic pomp, or pasteboard cavalcade. 
 Britons, be just, and as our " Statue" stands, 
 LikeMEMNON's image from its master's hands, 
 With one bright ray illume the sculptured toil, 
 And bid it breathe — the creature of your smile. 
 
EVADNE, 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE STATUE, 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 The Palace of the King of Naples, 
 Enter the King, Spalatro, and Courtiers, 
 
 King. XJiDST say the Marquis of Colonna prays 
 Admission to our presence ? 
 
 Spal. Aye, my liege. 
 He stands in the anti-chamber, with a brow 
 As stern as e'er was knitted in the folds 
 Of ranc'rous discontent. 
 
 King. I have noted oft 
 His absence from the court, the which I deem 
 His envy of our true Ludovico. 
 
 Spal. Deem it no little benefit, my liege; 
 His deep and murky smile, his gathered arms, 
 In whose close pride he folds himself — his raw 
 
2 EVADNE, [Act I. 
 
 And pithy apothegms of scorn have made him 
 Our laughter, and our hatred; we are all 
 Grown weary of this new Diogenes, 
 Who rolls his hard and new philosophy 
 Against all innocent usage of the court. 
 
 King. We must not bid him hence — he has a sister — 
 
 Spal. The fair Evadne ! — 
 
 King. Fairer than the mom ; 
 Who has not seen her, knows of beauty less 
 Than blind men of Aurora. — For her sake " 
 
 We give him ample scope, and we are glad 
 He comes to visit us. 
 
 C o LO N N A without. 
 
 Col. I '11 hear no more. 
 Colonna does not often importune 
 With his unwelcome presence. Let me pass — 
 For once I must be heard. 
 
 Enter Colonna, followed by Courtiers, 
 
 My liege ! — 
 
 \st. Court. Hold back! 
 
 2<?. Court. What right hast thou to rush before the sight 
 Of sacred royalty ? 
 
 Col. The right that all 
 Good subjects ought to have — to do him service. " 
 My liege — 
 
 K^iNG. You are w^elcome — 
 And would you had brought your lovely sister too. 
 
 Col. My sister, did you say? My sister, sir^ '' '• '' 
 She is not fit for courts; she would be called ' -^..o^.-j 
 
 (For she has something left of nature still) 
 A simple creature here; she cannot cast 
 Unholy glances from « sidelong €ye, 
 
ScENB I.] Or, THE STATUE. 
 
 Or give her untouched body to the wreath 
 Of mazy dances, where all decency 
 Is lost in pleasure's wildered labyrinth. 
 She is not fit for courts, and I have hope 
 She never will : But, let it pass — I come 
 To implore a favour of you. 
 
 King. Whatsoe'er 
 Colonna prays, sure cannot be refus'd. 
 
 CoL. The favour that I ask is one, my liege, 
 That princes often find it hard to grant. 
 *Tis simply this — that you will hear the truth. 
 
 King. Proceed, and play the monitor, my lord. 
 
 Col. I see your courtiers here do stand amazed. 
 Of them I first would speak — There is not one 
 Of this wide troop of glittering parasites. 
 That circle you, as priests surround their God, 
 With sycophantic incense, but in soul 
 Is your base foe. — These smilers here, my liege,— r- 
 Whose dimples seem a sort of honeycomb 
 Filled, and o'erflowing with suavity — 
 These soft melodious flatterers, my liege, — 
 That flourish on the flexibility 
 Of their soft countenances, — are the vermin 
 That haunt a prince's ear with the false buzz 
 Of villanous assentation. — These are they 
 Who from your mind have flouted every thought _ 
 Of the great weal of the people. — These are they 
 Who from your ears have shut the public cry, 
 And with the poisoned gales of flattery 
 Create around you a foul atmosphere 
 Of unresounding denseness, thro' the which 
 Their loud complaints cannot reverberate, 
 And perish ere they reach you. 
 
 \ 2 
 
4 EVADNE, [ActL 
 
 King. Who complains, — 
 Who dares complain of us ? 
 
 Col. All dare complain 
 Behind you — I before you. — Do not think 
 Because you load your people with the weight 
 Of camels, they possess the camel's patience. 
 A deep groan labours in the nation's heart; 
 The very calm and stillness of the day 
 Gives augury of the earthquake. — All without 
 Is as the marble smooth, and all within 
 Is rotten as the carcase it contains; 
 Tho' ruin knock not at the palace-gate, 
 Yet will the palace-gate unfold itself 
 To ruin's felt-shod tread. 
 
 King, (aside.) Insolent villain ! 
 
 Col. Your gorgeous banquets — your high feasts of gold, 
 Which the four quarters of the rifled world 
 Heap with their ravish'd luxuries — your pomps, 
 Your palaces, and all the sumptuousness 
 Of painted royalty will melt away. 
 As in a theatre the glittering scene 
 Doth vanish with the shifter's magic hand. 
 And the mock pageant perishes. — My liege, 
 A single virtuous action hath more worth 
 Than all the pyramids, and glory writes 
 A more enduring epitaph upon 
 One generous deed, than the sarcophagus 
 In which Sesostris meant to sleep. 
 
 Spal. Forbear! 
 It is a subject's duty to arrest 
 Thy rash and blasphemous speech. — 
 
 King. Let him speak on — 
 The monarch who can listen to Colonna, 
 Is not the worthless tyrant he would make me. 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATUE. 
 
 Col. I deem you not that tyrant — if I did— 
 
 No ! Nature framing you, did kindly mean. 
 And o*er your heart hath sprinkled many drops 
 Of her best charities. But you are led 
 From virtue and from wisdom far away, 
 By men whose every look 's a lie — whose hearts 
 Are a large heap of cankers, and of whom 
 The chief is a rank traitor ! 
 
 King. Traitor! whom meanest thou ? 
 
 Col. Your favourite, your minister, my liege. 
 That smooth-faced hypocrite — that — 
 
 King. Here he comes ! 
 
 Col. It is the traitor's self— I am glad of it. 
 That to his face I may confront. 
 
 Enter LuDoyico — he advances rapidly to the King 
 
 LuD. My liege, 
 I hasten to your presence, to inform you — 
 Colonna here ! (starting.) 
 
 Col. The same — Colonna's here! 
 And if you wish to learn his theme of speech, 
 Learn that he spoke of treason and of you. 
 
 LuD. Did I not stand before the hallowed eye 
 Of majesty, I would teach thee with my sword 
 How to refonn thy phrase — But I am now 
 In my king's presence, and with awe-struck soul. 
 As if within Religion's peaceful shrine. 
 Humbly I bend before him. What, my liege, 
 Hath this professor of austerity. 
 And practiser 6f slander, vomited 
 Against your servant's honour ? 
 
 King. He hath called you 
 
 Col. a traitor! and I warn you to beware 
 Of the false viper nurtured in your heart. 
 
6 EVADNE, [Act 1, 
 
 He has filled the city with a band of men, 
 
 By fell allegiance sworn unto himself. 
 
 There are a thousand ruffians at his word 
 
 Prepared to cut our throats. — The city swarms 
 
 With murderers' faces, and tho* treason now 
 
 Moves like a muffled dwarf, 'twill speedily 
 
 Swell to a blood-robed giant ! — If, my liege. 
 
 What I have said doth not unfilm your eye, 
 
 'Twere vain to tell you more. — " And 1 desire not 
 
 " To hear a traitor doling out before you 
 
 " His fluent protestation, till at last 
 
 " With insolent mockery of attested Heaven, 
 
 " From the believing ear of royalty, 
 
 *' He suck its brains out." — I have said, my liege, 
 
 And tried to interrupt security 
 
 Upon her purple cushion — he, perhaps. 
 
 Will find some drowsy syrup to lay down 
 
 Her opening eye-lids into sleep again, 
 
 And call back slumber with a lullaby 
 
 Of sweetest adulation. — Fare you well ! 
 
 LuD. Hold back! 
 
 Col. Not for your summons, my good lord. 
 The courtly air doth not agree with me. 
 And I respire it painfully. — My lord, 
 Hear my last words. — Beware, Ludovico ! 
 
 LuD. Villain, come back ! 
 
 Col. I wear a sword, my lord. ',^^ ^^;| . 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 LuD. He flies before me — and the sight of him 
 He dares accuse, came like the morning sun 
 On the night-walking enemy of mankind. 
 That shrinks before the day-light — yes, he fled, 
 And I would straight pursue him, and send back, 
 On my sword*s point, his falsehoods lo his heart — 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 
 
 But that I here before the assembled court 
 Would vindicate myself — a traitor ! — who 
 In any action of Ludovico 
 Finds echo to that word ? 
 
 King. I cannot think 
 Thou hast repaid me with ingratitude. 
 
 LuD. I do not love to make a boisterous boast 
 Of my past services, and marshal forth 
 In glittering array the benefit 
 That I have done my sovereign — what I did 
 Was but my duty. — Yet would I inquire 
 If he who has fought your battles, and hath made 
 A very thrall of victory — who oft 
 Has back to Naples from the field of fight, 
 Led your triumphant armies, " while the breeze 
 " Spread out the royal banner, with its fold 
 " Of floating gloiy, and yourself exclaimed 
 ** 'Twas unprofaned by one small drop of blood, — 
 " If he who from your shoulders has ta'en off 
 " The heavy mass of empire to relieve 
 " His sovereign from the ponderous load of rule, 
 '* And leave you but its pleasures" — He whose hand 
 Hath lined the oppressive diadem with down. 
 And ta'en its pressure from the golden round — 
 If he whose cheek hath at the midnight lamp 
 Grown pale with study of his prince's weal 
 Is like to be a traitor ? — who, my liege, 
 Hath often like the day-light's god transpierced 
 The hydra-headed monster of rebellion, 
 And stretched it bleeding at your feef ? who oft 
 Hath from the infuriate people exorcised 
 The talking daemon, " liberty,'* and choaked 
 
8 KVADNE, [Act I. 
 
 The voice of clamorous demagogues ?— I dare 
 To tell you 'twas Ludovico! 
 
 King. It was. 
 
 LuD. Who calls me traitor •? He whose breath doth taint 
 Whatever it blows upon — he " who doth mock 
 " The antique severity, and only w^mts 
 " A toga to be a republican 
 '' Of the old Roman fashion, — He who talks 
 *' Abroad against your vices, (for he deems 
 " All blameless pleasures such,) and oftentimes 
 " Heaves a long sigh for those illustrious days 
 *' When commonwealths made men. 
 
 " King. What ! dares he do so r" 
 
 LuD, But, ask yourself, my lord, if I be mad? 
 For were I that, that he would make Ludovico, 
 The cells of frenzy, not the scaffold's plank. 
 Would best beseem my treason. — In your love 
 My fortunes grow and flourish unto heaven ; 
 And I should win by treason but the load 
 Of the world's execration, while the fierce 
 And ravenous vulture of remorse would tear 
 The vitals of my soul, and make my heart y 
 
 Its black immortal banquet ! I a traitor ! 
 A^t first, I only meant to scorn. — But now. 
 The bursting passion hath o'ermastered me. 
 And my voice choaks in anguish ! Oh, my liege. 
 Your giving audience to this rancorous man, 
 Who envies me the greatness of your smile, 
 Hath done me wrong, and stabs me thro' and thro'. 
 A traitor ! — your Ludovico 1 
 
 King. My lord. 
 
 LuD. Here is my heart ! If you have any mercy, 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 9 
 
 Strike thro' that heart, and as the blood flows forth, 
 Drown your suspicions in the purple stream. 
 
 King. Arise, Ludovico, and do not think 
 I have harboured in my breast a single thought 
 That could dishonour thee. 
 
 LuD. My royal Master! 
 The power of gratitude mounts from my heart, 
 And rushes to mine eyes, that are too apt 
 To play the woman with me. See, they are falling — 
 Oh ! let them not profane your sacred cheek, 
 But bathe my prince's feet. 
 
 King. Ludovico, 
 We have wrong'd thee, not by doubt. 
 But by our sufferance of Colonna's daring — 
 Whom from my sight into the dungeon's depth 
 
 I had flung, but that I hope Let us apart — 
 
 [He draws Ludovico aside. 
 But that I hope, Ludovico, that yet 
 I may possess jne of his sister's ^charms. 
 
 LuD. There you have struck upon the inmost spring 
 Of all Colonna's hate ; for in obedience 
 To your high will, I humbly made myself 
 Your pleasure's minister, and to her ear 
 I bore your proffered love, which he discovering 
 Hath tried to root me from my Prince's heart — 
 
 King. Where thou shalt ever flourish! But, Ludovico, 
 But thoii hast told her ! Is there hope, my friend ? 
 
 LuD. She shall be yours — nay, more — and well you know 
 That you may trust your servant — not alone 
 Colonna's lovely sister shall be yours ; 
 But, mark my speech, Colonna's self shall draw 
 The chaste white curtains from her virgin-bed. 
 And lead you to her arms ! 
 
 c 
 
10 EVADNE, [Act. I. 
 
 King. What! her fierce brother 
 Yield his consent? 
 
 LuB. Inquire not how, my liege, 
 I would accomplish this — trust to my pledge — 
 This very night. 
 
 King. To-night! Am I so near 
 To heaven, Ludovico ? 
 
 LuD. You are, my liege. 
 To-night upon the breast of paradise 
 You shall most soundly sleep. [Aside. 
 
 King. My faithful friend! 
 And dost thou say, Colonna will himself ? 
 
 LuD. Colonna's self shall bear her to your arms, 
 And bid her on to dalliance. 
 
 King. Oh, my friend. 
 Thou art the truest servant that e'er yet 
 Tended his Sovereign's wish : but dost not fear. 
 Her purposed marriage with Vicentio 
 May make some obstacle? 
 
 LuD. I have recalled him 
 From Florence, whither as ambassador. 
 In honourable exile, he was sent. 
 
 King. Recalled him? 'Twas to interrupt his love 
 That he was sent. 
 
 LuD. My projects need his coming. 
 *' 'Tis not in vain that he returns, my liege," 
 For I intend to make Vicentio 
 An instrument to crown you with her charms ! 
 
 King. How shall I bless thee, my Ludovico ? 
 Is she not made of beauty ? Dost thou think 
 *Tis strange I pine for her — but why inquire 
 Of thee, who once wert kindled by her charms. 
 
 LuD. My liege ! \A little disturbed. 
 
Scene 1.] Or, THE STATUE. U 
 
 King. She did prefer Vicentio. 
 
 LuD. She shall prefer you to Vicentio. 
 
 King. My dear Ludovico, within my soul 
 More closely will I wear thee ! — is 't to-night ? 
 To-night, Ludovico ! 
 
 LuD. Wish that the sun 
 Would throw himself down the rich steeps of heaven, 
 And night come gliding from the darkening east 
 For, in her pall shall love with a golden torch, 
 Just lighted in Cythera, sweetly tread. 
 And laughing guide the pleasures as he trips. 
 
 King. Tell her we'll shower all honour on her head. — 
 And here, Ludovico, to testify 
 That we have given ourselves, bear to her heart 
 This image of her King ! - 
 
 LuD. I am in all your servant. 
 
 King. My Ludovico, 
 We never can reward thee ! Come, my friends. 
 Let 's to some fresh-imagined sport, and wile 
 The languid hours in some device of joy. 
 To help along the lazy flight of time, 
 And quicken him with pleasure. — My Ludovico ! 
 Remember ! 
 
 [Exit King and part of the Courtiers, 
 SvALATRO, and four other Conspirators remain behind with 
 Ludovico. 
 
 LuD. He is gone — at last he is gone. 
 And my unloosened spirit dares again 
 To heave within my bosom ! — Oh Colonna. 
 With an usurious vengeance 1 11 repay thee, 
 And cure the talking devil in thy tongue ! — 
 To Spalatro.} Give me thy hand, and let thy pulse again 
 Beat with a temperate and healthful motion 
 
 c2 
 
12 EVADNE, [Act I 
 
 Of full security We are safe, my friends, 
 
 And in the genius of Ludovico, 
 An enterprise shall triumph. 
 
 Spal. We began to tremble when you entered — but full 
 soon 
 With admiration we beheld you tread 
 Secure the steeps of ruin, and preserve us. 
 
 L.UD. That damn'd Colonna \ — by the glorious star 
 Of my nativity, I do not bum 
 For empire, with a more infuriate thirsty 
 Than for revenge ! 
 
 Spal. My poniai-d's at your service. 
 
 1st Cons. And mine !, 
 
 2d Cons. And mine J' » 
 
 LuD. Not for the world, my friends ! 
 I '11 turn my vengeance to utility. 
 And must economize my hate — Whom think you 
 Have I marked out assassin of the King J* 
 
 Spal. Piero, perchance — he strikes the poniard deep. 
 
 LuD. A better hand at it. 
 
 Spal. Bartolo, then — 
 He pushes the stiletto to the heart, 
 
 LuD. No ! 
 
 Spal. Then yourself will undertake the deed. 
 
 LuD. That were against all wisdom — No, my friends, 
 Colonna — 
 
 Spal. What Colonna I — he that now 
 Accused you here ? 
 
 LuD. Colonna !— ^ 
 
 Spal. 'Tis impossible ! — 
 From his great father he inherited 
 A sort of passion in his loyalty : 
 In him it mounts to folly. 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 13 
 
 LuD. Yet, Spalatro, 
 I '11 make a murderer of him — know you not 
 He has a sister ? — 
 
 Spal. Yes, the fair Evadne, 
 You once did love yourself. 
 
 LuD. There thou hast touched me. 
 And I am weak enough to lov^ her yet, 
 If that indeed be love that doth consume me ; 
 It is a sort of monster in ray heart, 
 Made up of horrid contrarieties !' 
 She scorns me for that smooth Vicentio — 
 Not 'only does he thwart me in my love, 
 But, well I know, his influence in the state 
 Would, when the king is sent to Paradise, 
 Be cast between me and the throne — he dies J — 
 Colonna too shall perish, and the crown 
 Shall with Evadne's love be mine. 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 
 How now? 
 
 Ser. My lord, th^ lady Olivia 
 Waits on your highness. 
 
 LuD. 1 desired her here. 
 And straight I will attend her. [Exit Servant. 
 
 With a straw 
 
 A town may be consum'd, ai>d I employ 
 This woman's passion for Vicentio, 
 As I would use a poi^on'd pin, to kill. 
 
 Spal. She long hath loved Vicentio. 
 
 LuD. He shall wed her — 
 And from the hand of Hymen, Deuth shall snatch 
 The nuptial torch, and use it for his own! 
 
14 EVADNE, [Act I. 
 
 I haste me to her presence. [Takes out the King's picture. 
 
 Come ! fair bauble, 
 Thou now must be employed. (To Spal.) Dost thou not 
 
 think, 
 Even in this image, that he bears the soft 
 And wanton aspect with the which he bid me 
 To cater for his villanous appetite — 
 And with what luxury? — Evadne's charms! — 
 Evadne that 1 love? — 
 
 Spal. But, didst thou not 
 Thyself evoke that passion in his breast? 
 
 LuD. I did, 'tis true — but for mine own success. 
 I hate him ! — Wouldst thou deem that he would dare 
 To choose me for his minister of sin, ^ 
 
 And bid me gain her for his luxury? 
 There is the very face with which he first 
 Pour'd his unholy wishes in mine ear — 
 Ha! dost thou smile upon me? — I will turn 
 Those glittering eyes, where love doth now inhabit. 
 To two dark hollow palaces, for Death 
 To keep his mouldering state in, " and upon 
 *' Those lips, where wanton smiles are softly curFd, 
 '' I '11 twine a wreath of rich and clustering worms, 
 " To feast upon their moist, and rosy pouting !" — 
 He dares to hope that I will make myself 
 The wretched officer of his desires. 
 And smooth the bed for his lascivious pleasures-— 
 But 1 full soon will teach his royalty. 
 The beds 1 make are lasting ones, and lie 
 In the dark chambers of eternity ! [Exeunt. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT. 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 15 
 
 ACT II 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 A Room in the Palace. 
 Enter Olivia and Ludovico. 
 
 LuD. Dispose of it as I instructed you ; 
 
 [Giving her the King's Picture, 
 You know that I have pledged myself to make 
 Vicentio yours. — To-day yourself have given 
 The means to turn that promise into deed. 
 You are among the noblest of my kin, 
 And I would mate you with Vicentio, 
 To raise my proper fortunes. 
 
 Oliv. My own heart 
 Tells me, 'tis a bad office I have ta*en ; 
 But this unhappy passion drives me on. 
 And makes my soul your thrall — -Thus I have crept 
 Obedient to your counsels, meanly crept 
 Into Evadne's soft, and trusting heart, 
 And coiled myself around her — Thus, my lord. 
 Have I obtained the page of amorous sighs 
 That you enjoined me to secure — I own 
 
16 EVADNE, [Act II. 
 
 Twas a false deed, but 1 am gone too far 
 To seek, retreat, and will obey you still. 
 
 LuD. And I will crown your passion with the flowers 
 Of Hymen's yellow garland — Trust me, Olivia, 
 That once dissevered from Evadne's love. 
 He will soon be taught to prize your nobler frame. 
 And more enkindled beauty — Well, 'tis known 
 Ere he beheld the sorceress " who beguiled 
 " His soul with meekly artificial smiles," 
 He deemed you fairest of created things, 
 And would have proifered love, had not — 
 
 Oliv. I pray you, 
 With gems of flattery do not disturb 
 The fount of bitterness within my soul ; — 
 For dropped tho' ne'er so nicely, they but stir 
 The poisoned waters as they fall — I have said 
 I will obey you. 
 
 LuD. With this innocent page 
 Will I light up a fire within Vicentio, — 
 But you must keep it flaming — I have ta'en 
 Apt means to drive him into jealousy. 
 By scattering rumours (which have reached his ear) 
 Before he come to Naples — e'en in Florence 
 Have I prepared his soft and yielding mind 
 To take the seal that I would fix upon it. 
 I do expect him with the fleeting hour, — 
 For, to my presence he must come to bear 
 His embassy's commission, and be sure 
 He leaves me with a poison in his heart, 
 Evadne's lips shall never suck away. 
 
 Oliv, Then will I hence, and if 'tis possible, 
 Your bidding shall be done. — Vicentio ! 
 
Scene 1.] Or, THE STATUE. 17 
 
 Enter Vicentio. 
 
 Vic. Hail to my lord ! 
 
 LuD. Welcome, Vicentio ! 
 I have not clasp'd your hand this many a day ! 
 Welcome from Florence. In your absence, sir, 
 Time seemed to have lost his featliers. 
 
 Vic. It was kind 
 To waste a thought upon me. — Fair Olivia, 
 Florence hath dimmed mine eyes, or I must else 
 Have seen a sun-beam sooner. Fair Olivia, 
 How does your lovely friend ? 
 
 Oliv. What friend, my lord ^ 
 
 Vic I trust nought evil hath befallen Evadne, 
 That you should feign to understand me not. 
 How does my beautiful and plighted love ? 
 
 Oliv. How does she, sir.^* I pray you, my good lord 
 To ask such tender question of the king. [Exit. 
 
 Vic. What meant she by the kin^^ (aside.) 
 
 LuD. You seem, Vicentio, 
 O'ershadowed with rellection — should you 
 Not have used some soft detaining phrase to one, 
 Who should at least be pitied ? 
 
 Vic I came here 
 To re-deliver to your hands, my lord, 
 The high commission of mine embassy. 
 That long delayed my marriage. You, I deem 
 My creditor, in having used your sway 
 In my recall to Naples. 
 
 LuD. In return for such small service, " in the which 
 " My zeal outstrips the tardy benefit," I hope 
 That you will not forget Ludovico, 
 When in the troop of thronging worshippers, 
 
 J) 
 
18 EVADNE, [Act IL 
 
 At distance you behold his stooping plume 
 Bend in humility. 
 
 Vic. What means my Lord? 
 
 LuD. Act not this ignorance — ^your glorious fortune 
 Hath filled the conimon mouth — there's not a wight, 
 Who ever tortured verse upon the rack 
 Of his parturient brain, has not already 
 Indited you in sonorous eulogy — 
 The jesting villains mimic insolence 
 (Who counterfeit the faces of the great,) 
 Has set your image in the comriion mart 
 Of pictured ridicule — Come, do not wear 
 The look of studied wonderment^ — you know 
 Howe'er I stand upon the highest place 
 In the King's favour, that you will full soon 
 Supplant the poor Ludovico, that cast 
 Amid the rout and populace of the court 
 Will live upon your smile. 
 
 Vic. I am no CEdipus. 
 
 LuD. You would have me speak in simpler phrase ; Vi- 
 centio, 
 You are to be the favorite of the King. ■ 
 
 Vic. The favorite of the King ! 
 
 LuD. Certes, Vicentio. 
 In our Italian courts, the generous husband 
 Receives his monarch's recompensing smile. 
 That with alchymic power, can turn the mass 
 Of dull opprobrious shame, to one bright heap 
 Of honour and emolument. — " How oft 
 ^' The rich Pactolus of a prince's favour 
 " Flows from a filthy fountain ! — Have you marked 
 " The fat luxuriance of the juicy plant 
 " That flourishes in churchyards .^-— 'tis, my lord, 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 19 
 
 " That rottenness manures. The vilest shame 
 
 " (Shame m the dull opinion of the world 
 
 " A wise man sets at nought,) begets more honours 
 
 " Than a whole life of service to the state, 
 
 *^ And veins made bloodless in a thousand battles." 
 
 I bid you joy, my lord — why, how is this ? 
 
 Do you not yet conceive me ? Know you not 
 
 You are to wed the mistress of the king ? 
 
 Colonna*s sister — aye, I have said it, sir, — 
 
 Now, do you understand me ? 
 Vic. Villain, thou liest ! 
 LuD. What? are you not to marry her ? 
 Vic. Thou liest; 
 
 Tho' thou wert ten times what thou art already. 
 
 Not all the laurels heaped upon thy head 
 
 Should save thee from the lightnings of my wrath! 
 
 " Vile, and infectious slave, thy calumny 
 
 " Is like a corpse's reeking at the sun, 
 
 " And staining the white day ! — Thou wretched worm, 
 
 " Who sheddest thy poison-slime upon the flower 
 
 " Of a pure woman's honour, and where'er 
 
 " Thou crawlest, pollutest !" 
 
 LuD. If it were my will. 
 
 The movement of my hand should beckon death 
 
 To thy presumption. But I have proved too oft 
 
 I bore a fearless heart, to think you dare 
 
 To call me coward — and I am too wise 
 
 To think I can revenge an injury 
 
 By giving you my life. But I compassionate. 
 
 Nay, I have learned to esteem thee for a wrath, 
 
 That gives me proof thou dost not yield consent 
 
 To infamy, that many a courtier here 
 
 D 2 
 
20 EVADNE, [Act II. 
 
 Would think the plume of fortune. Fare thee well ! 
 
 Thy pulse is now too fevered for the cure 
 
 I honestly intended — yet, before 
 
 I part, here take this satisfying proof 
 
 Of what a woman's made of. ^Gives him a letter. 
 
 Vic. It is her character ! 
 Hast thou shed phosphor on the innocent page, 
 That it has turned to fire ? 
 
 LuD. Thou hast thy fate : 
 " But be not the vile worm to spin thyself 
 " The black and slimy thread whereof tis made. 
 Vic. 'Tis signed, " Evadne." 
 LuD. Yes, it is — farewell ! 
 
 Vic. For heaven's sake, hear me — Stay — Oh, pardon me 
 For the rash utterance of a frantic man — 
 Whence ? how ? where ? speak ? in mercy speak ! 
 
 LuD. I will. 
 In mercy speak, indeed — In mercy to 
 That fervid generosity of heart 
 That I behold within thee — " and despite 
 ** Of the high injury thou hast cast upon me." 
 Vic. From whom is this ? 
 LuD. From whom? look there ! 
 Vic. Evadne ! 
 
 LuD. 'Tis written to the king, and to my hand. 
 For he is proud of it, as if it were 
 A banner of high victory, he bore it. 
 To evidence his valour — It is grown 
 His cup-theme now, and your Evadne's name • 
 Is lisped with all the insolence on his tongue 
 Of satiated triumph — he exclaims — 
 The poor Vicentio ! 
 
Scene I.J Or, THE STATUE. 21 
 
 Vic. The poor Vicentio ! 
 
 LuD. What ! shall he murder him? (aside) no, no, — 
 Colonna ! 
 The poor Vicentio ! and he oftentimes 
 Cries, that he pities you ! 
 
 Vic. He pities me ! 
 
 LuD. I own that some time I was infidel 
 To all the bombast vaunting of the king, 
 But 
 
 Vic. 'Tis Evadne I have gazed upon it. 
 In hope that with the glaring of mine eyes 
 I might burn out the false and treacherous word — 
 But, still 'tis there — no more — else will it turn 
 My brain to a red furnace .-^Look you, my lord — 
 Thus as I rend the cursed evidence 
 Of that vile woman's falsehood — thus I cast ' 
 
 My love into the winds, and as I tread 
 Upon the poisoned fragments of the snake 
 That stings me into madness, thus, Ludovico, 
 Thus do 1 trample on her ! 
 
 LuD. Have you ne'er heard. 
 For 'twas so widely scattered in the voice 
 Of common rumour, that the very wind. 
 If it blew fair for Florence 
 
 Vic. I have heard 
 Some whispers, which I long had flung away ' 
 
 With an incredulous hatred from my heart — 
 But now, this testimony has conjured 
 All other circumstances in one vast heap 
 Of damned certainty ! — Farewell, my lord — 
 1 'II seek that false one out, and to her face 
 Upbraid her with her perjured perfidies — 
 That is the only vengeance left me still. 
 
22 EVADNE, [Act II. 
 
 And I would take it 
 
 LuD. I know, Vicentio, 
 Vengeance is left you still — the deadliest too 
 That a false woman can be made to feel : 
 Take her example — be not satisfied 
 With casting her for ever from your heart, 
 But to the place that ishe has forfeited, 
 Exalt a lovelier than — but I perceive 
 You are not in a mood to hear me now — 
 Some other time, Vicentio — and, meanwhile. 
 Despite your first tempestuous suddenness. 
 You will think that I but meant your honour well 
 In this proceeding. 
 
 Vic. I believe I owe you 
 That sort of desperate gratitude, my lord, 
 The dying patient owes the barbarous knife, 
 That delves in throes of mortal agony. 
 And tears the rooted cancer from his heart ! 
 
 lExeunt. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 A Room in Colon na's Palace. 
 
 EvADNE discovered looking at a picture, 
 
 EvAD. 'Tis strange he comes not! thro' the city's gates 
 His panting courser passed, before the sun 
 Had climbed to his meridian, yet he comes not ! — 
 Methinks the very throbbings of my heart, 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 23 
 
 With slow distinctness mete the hours away 
 As heavily, as to a sick man's ear 
 Time's monitor beneath his pillow strikes 
 Before the dawn of day-light. — Ah! Vicentio, 
 To know thee near me, yet behold thee not. 
 Is sadder than to think thee far away ; 
 For I had rather that a thousand leagues 
 Of mountain ocean should dissever us. 
 
 Than thine own heart, Vicentio Sure, Vicentio, 
 
 If thou didst know with what a pining gaze 
 I feed mine eyes upon thine image here, 
 Thou wouldst not now leave thine Evadne's love 
 To this same cold idolatry. 
 
 Olivia enters unperceived, 
 I will swear 
 That smile's a false one, for it sweetly tells 
 No tarrying indifference — Olivia ! 
 
 Oliv. I have stolen unperceived upon your hours 
 Of lonely meditation, and surprised 
 Your soft soliloquies to that fair face. — 
 Nay, do not blush^reserve that rosy dawn 
 For the soft pressure of Vicentio's lips. 
 
 EvAD. You mock me, fair Olivia, — I confess 
 That musing on my cold Vicentio's absence, 
 I quarrelled with the blameless ivory. 
 
 Oliv. He was compelled as soon as he arrived. 
 To wait upon the great Ludovico; 
 Meanwhile your soft, expecting moments flow 
 In tender meditation on the face. 
 You dare to gaze upon in ivory 
 With fonder aspect, than when you behold 
 Its bright original ; for then 'tis meet 
 Your pensive brows be bent upon the ground. 
 
24 EVADNE, [Act II. 
 
 And sighs as soft as zephyrs on the wave 
 
 Should gently heave your heart. — Is it not so ? 
 
 Nay, do not now rehearse your part, I pray ;— 
 
 Reserve those downcast lookings for Vicentio ; 
 
 That's a fair picture — ^let me, if you dare 
 
 Entrust the treasure to another's hand, 
 
 Let me look on it. {Takes Vicentio's picture.) 
 
 What a sweetness plays 
 
 On those half-opened lips ! — He gazed on you 
 
 When those bright eyes were painted. 
 
 EvAD. You have got 
 A heart so free of care, that you can mock 
 Your pensive friend with such light merriment. 
 But hark ! I hear a step. 
 
 Oliv. (Aside.) Now fortune aid me 
 In her precipitation. 
 
 EvAD. It is himself! — 
 Olivia, he is coming — Well I know 
 My Lord Vicentio hastens to mine eyes ! 
 The picture — prithee give it back to me — 
 I must constrain you to it. 
 
 Oliv. (Who has substituted the picture of the King.) 
 It is in vain 
 
 To struggle with you then — with what a grasp 
 You rend it from my hand, as if it were 
 Vicentio that I had stolen away. 
 
 (Gives her the King's picture, which E\ADi>iE places 
 in her bosom.) 
 1 triumph ! — (Aside.) — He is coming — I must leave you. 
 Nor interrupt the meeting of your liearts 
 By my officious presence. [Exit. 
 
 EvAD. It is himself! 
 Swiftly he passes thro' the colonnade. 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 25 
 
 And flies into mine arms.— Vicentio, 
 Thy coming bears me joy as bright as e'er 
 Beat thro' the heart of woman, that was made 
 For suffering, and for transport ! — Oh, Vicentio ! 
 
 Enter Vicentio. 
 
 Are you then come at last ? — do I once more 
 Behold my bosom's lord, whose tender sight 
 Is necessary for my happiness 
 As light for heaven! — My lord ! — Vicentio! — 
 I blush to speak the transport in my heart. 
 But I am rapt to see you. 
 
 Vic. And, Evadne, 
 I am all joy. (aside,) I '11 hide the serpent here, 
 And use her for awhile, with the same arts 
 She plays upon myself. — I am rejoiced • 
 
 EvAD. And I! — if every bosom were so glad 
 As mine for your return, which I have prayed 
 In nightly orisons, the bells of Naples 
 Would from their steeples peal their chimes of joy; 
 Flowers should be strewed before your passing steps, 
 The very dust made of the leaves of roses! — 
 I am in sooth so joyous at^your sight, 
 That I forget to chide you — how is this f 
 
 Vic. Dissembling woman ! (aside,) 
 
 EvAD. How is this, my lord? 
 Methinks you look most sadly, or what 's worse, 
 Most coldly on Evadne — 'tis perchance. 
 The fault of mine expecting eyes, that seek 
 The warm reflection of their joyfulness. 
 Why, once, if you were absent but a day, 
 At our next meeting you were bright as mom 
 
26 EVADNE, [Act 11. 
 
 In the sweet May; but now, you are grown as cold 
 As winter's chilly day-break — you look altered. 
 
 Vic. But you do not look altered — would you did! 
 Let me peruse the face where loveliness 
 Stays, like the light after the sun is set. 
 Sphered in the stillness of those heaven-blue eyes, 
 The soul sits beautiful; the high white front, 
 Smooth as the brow of Pallas, seems a temple 
 Sacred to holy thinking ! and those lips 
 Wear the small smile of sleeping infancy. 
 They are so innocent. — Ah ! thou art still 
 The same soft creature, in whose lovely form 
 Virtue and beauty seemed as if they tried 
 Which should exceed the other. — Thou hast got 
 That brightness all around thee, that appeared 
 An emanation of the soul, that loved 
 To adorn its habitation with itself. 
 And in thy body was like light that looks 
 More beautiful in the reflecting cloud 
 It lives in, in the evening. Oh! Evadne, 
 Thou art not altered — would thou wert! 
 
 Eva. Vicentio, 
 This strangeness I scarce hoped for — Say, Vicentio, 
 Has any ill befallen you? — I perceive 
 That its warm bloom hath parted from your cheek. 
 And there 's a parched dryness in your hand. 
 That shows the torrid fever of the blood — 
 Ah me ! you are not well, Vicentio. 
 
 Vic. In sooth, I am not. — There is in my breagt 
 A wound that mocks all cure — no salve, nor anodyne^ 
 Nor medicinal herb, nor minisf rings 
 Of anxious care from hands, as delicate 
 As e'er aflfection tutored in the arts 
 
Scene IL] Or, THE STATUE. 27 
 
 Of kindly restoration, can allay 
 
 The festering of that agonizing wound 
 
 You have driven into my heart ! 
 
 EVAD. I? 
 
 Vic. You, Evadne! 
 Evadne, you — you have stabbed me to the soul, 
 Turned the Elysium prospects in the vale 
 Of my young life, as ruined church-yards bleak. 
 And of my springing joys, and blossoming hopes, 
 Made all a desolation. Why, Evadne, ^ 
 
 Why did you ever tell me that you loved me ? 
 Why was I not in mercy spumed away. 
 Scorned, like Ludovico f for unto him 
 You dealt in honour, and despised his love : 
 But me you soothed and flattered — sighed and blushed — 
 And smiled and wept, for you can weep ; (even now 
 Your tears flow by volition, and your eyes 
 Convenient fountains have begun to gush,) 
 To stab me with a falsehood yet unknown 
 In falsest woman's perfidy? 
 
 EvAD. Vicentio, 
 Why am I thus accused ? What have I done? 
 
 Vic. What! — are you grown already an adept 
 In cold dissimulation? Have you stopped 
 All access from your heart into your face ? 
 Do you not blush ? 
 
 EvAD. I do, indeed, for you ! 
 
 Vic. The King? 
 
 EvAD. The King? 
 
 Vic. Come, come, confess at once, and wear it high 
 Upon your towering forehead — swell your port — 
 Away with this unseemly bashfulness. 
 That will be deemed a savageness at court — 
 
 E 2 
 
28 EVADNE, [Act 11. 
 
 Confront the talking of the busy world — 
 Tell them you are the mistress of the King, 
 Tell them you are Colonna's sister too ; 
 But, hark you, Madam — prithee do not say 
 You are Vicentio's wife ! 
 
 EvAD. Injurious man ! 
 
 Vic The very winds from the four parts of heaven 
 Blew it throughout the city— 
 
 EvAD. And if angels 
 Cried, trumpet-tongued, that 1 was false to you, 
 You should not have believed it.— You forget 
 Who dares to stain a woman's honesty, 
 Does her a wrong, as deadly as the brand 
 He fears upon himself. — Go, go, Vicentio — 
 You are not what I deemed you ! — Mistress .'' fie ! 
 Go, go, Vicentio ! let aae not behold 
 The man who has reviled me with a thought 
 Dishonouring as that one ! — Oh ! Vicentio, 
 Do I deserve this of you ^ 
 
 Vio. Are these tears 
 The counterfeits of grief ? that sob appeared 
 The breaking of the heart from which it came. 
 If I had wronged her — but that cursed scroll — 
 
 EvAD. It is much better we should meet no more — 
 Leave me, my lord '.—Mistress ! — 
 
 Vic. If I had wronged her ! — 
 Were it possible, Ludovico, 
 Who, well I know, doth at his heart abhor me. 
 Had framed a counterfeit? 
 
 EvAD. 1 will not descend 
 To vindicate myself— dare to suspect me — 
 My lord, I am to guess that you came here. 
 To speak your soul's revolt, and to demand 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 29 
 
 Your plighted vows again — If for this 
 You tarry here, I freely give you back 
 Your late repented faith — Farewell for ever ! 
 
 [As she is going out. 
 Vic. Evadne ! 
 Ev A D. Well, my lord?— 
 Vic. Evadne, stay! — 
 EvAD. Vicentio! 
 
 [With a look of reproaching remonstrance. 
 Vic. Let me look in thy face — 
 Sure if a fiend did with a look like thine 
 Appear before the golden gates of heavea, 
 The guarding- angel there would think it was 
 A sister-spirit of the blessed, and bid 
 The harmonious hinges turn to let thee in. 
 Oh ! 'tis impossible ! — I was bemocked. 
 And cheated by that villain! — nothing false 
 Sure ever looked like thee, and if thou wilt 
 
 But swear 
 
 EvAD. What should I swear ? — 
 Vic. That you did not 
 Betray me to the King. 
 EvAD. Never ! — 
 Vic. Nor e*er 
 Didst write in love to him ? 
 
 EvAD. Oh! never, never! — I perceive, Vicentio, 
 Some villain hath abused thy credulous ear — 
 But no ! — I will not now inquire it of thee — 
 When I am calmer — I must hence betimes, 
 To chase these blots of sorrow from my face, — 
 For if Colonna should behold me weep. 
 So tenderly he loves me, that I fear 
 
30 EVADNE, [Act IL 
 
 His hot, tempestuous nature — Why, Vicentio, 
 Do you still wrong me with a wildered eye 
 That sheds suspicion ? — Why, Vicentio, 
 Do you peruse me thus ? 
 
 Vic. I now remember 
 Another circumstance, Ludovico 
 Did tell me as I came — T do not see 
 My picture on her bosom. 
 
 EvAD. Well, Vicentio, 
 Hath jealousy's wild flow returned again? 
 Does the tide rise beneath the ruling moon f 
 
 Vic. When I departed hence, about your neck 
 1 hung my pictured likeness, which mine eyes. 
 Made keen by jealous vigilance, perchance 
 Desire upon your breast. 
 
 EvAD. And, is that all ? 
 And in such fond and petty circumstance 
 Seek you suspicion's nourishment ? — Vicentio, 
 I must disclose my weakness — here, Vicentio, 
 I have pillowed your dear image on a heart 
 You should not have distrusted. 
 
 [She draws the King^s Picture from her Bosom. 
 
 Here it is 
 
 And now, my lord, suspect me if you can. 
 
 Vic. (starting.) A horrid phantom, more accursed than e'er 
 Yet crossed the sleep of frenzy, stares upon me — 
 Speak — speak at once — nay, do not seem of stone — 
 I '11 turn thee back to horrid life again. 
 And if it be the villain that has wronged me, 
 Here — ^let it blast thee too. 
 
 EvAD. Sure, some dark spell, 
 Some fearful witchery ; I am struck to ashes,— 
 
Scene 1 1] Or, THE STATUE. 31 
 
 Amazement, like the lightning — give it me. 
 
 And I will fix it in my very eyes. 
 
 Clasp it against my sight — 'Tis not Vicentio ! — 
 
 Vic. It is the King! — 
 
 EvAD. Oh ! do not yield it faith, — 
 Give not thy senses credence ! Oh, Vicentio, 
 I am confounded, maddened, lost, Vicentio ! 
 Some daemon paints it on the coloured air — 
 *Tis not reality that stares upon me ! — 
 Oh ! hide it from my sight ! 
 
 Vic Chance has betrayed thee, 
 And saves my periled honour — Here, thou all fraud, 
 Thou mass of painted perjury, — thou woman ! — 
 And now 1 have done with thee, and pray to heaven 
 I ne'er may see thee more — But, hold ! — I must 
 Recall that wish again — The time will come 
 When I would look on thee — a little while 
 Thou wilt roll in gilded infamy along. 
 With all the pomp that tends the courtly sin 
 Done in a prince's arms — Thou wilt appear 
 High in thy regal state, as in the car 
 Of swan-drawn Venus ! — But, be sure at last 
 Thy turn will come, for Love has got his wheel 
 As well as Fortune — then, Evadne, then, 
 When the world's scorn is on thee, let me see 
 Thee, old in youth, and bending 'neath the load 
 Of sorrow, not of time — then let me see thee. 
 And mayest thou, as I pass, lift up thy head 
 But once from the sad earth, and then, Evadne, 
 Look down again for ever ? {^Exit. 
 
 (Evadne at first not perceiving that he is gone y and 
 recovering from her stupefaction. 
 EvAD. I will swear — 
 Give it back to me — Oh ! I am innocent ! 
 
82 EVADNE, [Act II, 
 
 Enter Colon n a — she rushes up to him, mistaking 
 him for a moment for Vicentio. 
 By heaven, I am innocent ! 
 
 Col. Who dares to doubt it, — s 
 Who knows thee of that noble family 
 That cowardice in man, or wantonness 
 In woman never tarnished ? — 
 
 EvAD. He is gone! {aside.) 
 
 Col. But, how is this, Evadne ? In your face 
 I read a wildered air has ta'en the place 
 Of that placidity that used to shine 
 For ever on thy holy countenance. 
 
 EvAD. Now, as I value my Vicentio's life — 
 
 Col. One of love's summer clouds, I doubt me, sister, 
 Hath floated o'er you, tho' 'twere better far 
 That it had left no rain-drops. — What has happened? 
 
 EvAD. There 's nothing has befallen, only — 
 
 Col. What, only? 
 
 EvAD. I pray you pardon me — I must begone ! 
 
 CoL. Evadne, stay ! let me behold you well — 
 Why do you stand at distance ? nearer still, 
 Evadne ! — 
 
 EvAD. Well?— 
 
 CoL. Vicentio — 
 
 EvAD. {assuming an affected lightness of manner) 
 Why, Colonna — 
 
 Think you that I'm without my sex's arts. 
 And did not practise all the torturings 
 That make a woman's triumph ? 
 
 Col. 'Twas not well. 
 1 hoped thee raised above all artifice 
 That makes thy sex but infancy matured. 
 I was at first inclined to follow him. 
 And ask what this miglit mean ? 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 33 
 
 EvAD. Then he had told 
 
 That I had played the tyrant. — Had you seen 
 
 How like my peevish lap-dog he appeared 
 
 Just beaten with a fan — Ha ! ha ! Colonna, 
 
 You will find us all alike — Ha ! ha ! my heart 
 
 Will break if I stay longer — pardon me, 
 
 Colonna, I must leave you — Oh ! Vicentio ! 
 
 * {Bursts into tears.) 
 
 Col. Farewell ! 
 
 EvAD. What would you do ? , 
 
 Col. Let all the world 
 Hold me a slave, and hoard upon my head 
 Its gathered infamy — be all who bear 
 Colonna's name scorn-blighted — may disgrace 
 Gnaw off all honour from my family. 
 If I permit an injury to thee 
 To 'scape Colonna's vengeance '• — 
 
 Evad". Hold, my brother! 
 I will not leave thy sight ! 
 
 Col. Then follow me, 
 And if thou art abandoned, after all 
 Vicentio's plighted faith, thou shalt behold — 
 By heavens, an emperor should not do thee wrong. 
 Or if he did, tho* I had a thousand lives, 
 I had given them all to avenge thee. — I '11 inquire 
 Into this business ; and if I find 
 Thou hast lost a lover, I will give him proof, 
 I 've my right arm, and thou thy brother still 1 [Exeunt, 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT. 
 
34 EVABNE, [Act III 
 
 ACT III 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 A Street in Naples — the front of Olivia's House, 
 Enter Ludovico and Vicentio. 
 
 LuD. There is Olivia's house ! 
 
 Vic. Thou hast resolved me. 
 I thank thee for thy counsel, and at once * ..i.> ^ 
 
 Speed to its dread performance. [ He raps atiHe dhor. 
 
 Enter Servant, 
 'Bides the lady Olivia in her home ? 
 
 Serv. She does, my lord. [Exit, 
 
 Vic. Farewell, Ludovico ! thou seest, my friend, 
 For such I ever hold ihee, that T pass 
 The stream of destiny. Thou sayest, Ludovico, 
 'Tis necessary for my fame. 
 
 LuD. No less. — 
 By marrying Olivia you disperse 
 The noises that abroad did sully you, 
 Of having given consent to play the cloak 
 To the king's dalliance. 
 
Scene!.] ' Or, THE STATUE. 35 
 
 Vic. Oh, speak of it 
 No more, Ludovico — farewell, my friend, 
 I will obey your counsels. — [Exit into Olivia's house, 
 
 LuD. Fare you well, 
 My passionate, obsequious instrument, 
 Whom now I scorn so much, I scarcely let thee 
 Reach to the dignity of being hated. 
 
 Enter the King, disguised. 
 
 King. My faithful servant, my Ludovico ! 
 
 LuD. My prince ! I did not hope to meet you here ! — 
 What, in this masqued attire, has made you veil 
 The dazzling brightness of your royalty, 
 And led you from your palace ? 
 
 King. 1 have ta'en 
 Concealment's wonted habit, to escape 
 The hundred eyes of curiosity, 
 And, wearied with rotatory course 
 Of dull unchanging pleasure, sought for thee. 
 Shall she be mine, Ludovico ? 
 
 LuD. My liege, 
 I marvel not at the impatient throb 
 Of restless expectation in your heart, 
 " For she is fairer than the ideal forms 
 " Of purest beauty in the raptured soul 
 *^ Of him who sang Orlando's frenzied love, 
 " Or the soft tale of Sion's liberty." 
 And know, my liege, that not in vain 1 toil, 
 To waft you to her bosom, for Vicentio 
 Renounces her for ever ! 
 
 King. Dost thou say 
 Vicentio hath renounced her t 
 
 F ^ 
 
36 EVADNE, [Act II, 
 
 LuD. Yes mv liege. 
 Not only has abandoned her, but moved 
 By my wise counsels, hath already prayed 
 The fair Olivia's hand. 
 
 King. How, my Ludovico, 
 Didst thou accomplish it ? 
 
 LuD. I turned to use 
 The passion of Olivia ; " round the soul 
 " Of your Evadne did she wind herself; 
 '* That she might win some evidence at last 
 *' To shed into Vicentio's credulous ear 
 " The maddening pestilence of jealousy. 
 " And soon 'twas gained ; for *' while Evadne traced 
 A letter to Vicentio, suddenly 
 The news of his expected coming reached 
 Her panting breast, and in the rush of joy, 
 Unfinished on her table did she leave 
 The page of amorous wishes, which the care 
 Of unperceived Olivia, haply seized, 
 And bore unto my hand — Vicentio's name 
 Was drowned in hurried vocatives of love. 
 As thus — " My lord — my life — my soul" — the which 
 I made advantage of, and did persuade him 
 'Twas written to your highness, — and with lights 
 Caught from the very torch of truest love, 
 I fired the furies' brands 
 
 King. My faithful friend ! 
 
 LuD. Then with your picture did Olivia work 
 Suspicion into frenzy — when he came 
 From your Evadne's house, 1 threw myself. 
 As if by fortune, in his path — I urged 
 His heated passions to my purposes. 
 And bade him ask Olivia's hand, to prove 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATUE. 37 
 
 How much he scorned her falsehood. — Even now 
 He makes his suit, for there Olivia dwells, 
 And as you came, he entered. 
 
 King. But wherein 
 Will this promote the crowning of my love ? 
 
 LuD. I said Colonna's self should be the first 
 To lead you to her arms — 
 
 King. Thou didst, Ludovico, 
 The which performed, I '11 give thee half my realm. 
 
 LuD. (aside.) You shall give all ! 
 
 King. Accomplish this, my friend, 
 Thou art my great Apollo ! 
 
 LuD. No, my liege, 
 You shall be Jove, and in her arms to-night, 
 Will taste more joys than the Olympian did 
 In golden showers in Danae's yielding heart — ^ 
 ^*' Or when he shut out Phoebus from the heavens, 
 " And for a triple night he mock'd the form 
 " Of sweet Alcmena's husband — while my liege, 
 " I play the winged messenger of love." 
 
 King. Ludovico, thou art as dear tome 
 As the rich circle of my royalty. 
 Farewell, Ludovico, I shall expect 
 Some speedy tidings from thee — fare thee well ! 
 To-night, Ludovico. [Exit. 
 
 LuD. To-night, you perish! 
 Colonna's dagger shall let out your blood, 
 And lance your wanton, and high-swelling veins.— 
 That I should stoop to such an infamy ! 
 ." Thy gore shall be my robe of royalty — 
 " I '11 dress myself in purple with thy blood, 
 " And underneath none will discern the stain 
 " That now besmears my fame." — Evadne here ! 
 
38 EVADNE, [Act III. 
 
 Enter Evadise. 
 
 Not for the king, but for myself 1 mean, 
 
 A feast fit for the gods ! . 
 
 EvAD. " (^with some agitation.) My lord Ludovico 
 
 LuD. The beautiful Evadne ! do you deign 
 I'o breathe a name that is not often wont 
 Thus to be wrapped in fragrance ? Lovely woman ! — 
 What would the brightest maid of Italy 
 Of her poor servant ? 
 
 EvAD. Sir, may I entreat 
 Your knowledge where the Count Vicentio 
 Bides at this present instant ? I have been uiformed 
 He companied you here. 
 
 LuD. It grieves me sore , 
 He hath done you so much wrong. 
 
 EvAD. What may you mean? 
 
 LuD. 'Tis talked of in the whispering gallery, 
 Where Envy holds her court : " with brighter eyes, 
 " Each rival beauty beams : and rosier flushes. 
 " Poured by malevolence mto the cheek . 
 
 " Of tittering loveliness, proclaim how glad 
 " Is every woman of a woman's woe." 
 Who would have thought Vicentio's heart was like 
 A play-thing stuck with Cupid's lightest plumes 
 Thus to be tossed from one heart to another ? 
 Or rather, who had thought that you were made 
 For such abandonment ? 
 
 EvAD. I scarce can guess 
 
 LuD. I did not mean to touch so nice a wound. 
 If you desire to learn where now he bides, 
 I can inform you. 
 
 EvAD. Where, Ludovico? 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 3^ 
 
 LuD. Yonder, Evadne, in Olivia's house. 
 
 EvAD. Olivia's house ? what would he there? 
 
 LuD. You know 
 Vicentio and Olivia are to-day 
 
 EvAD. My lord? 
 
 LuD. Are to be married — 
 
 EvAD. Married, my lord? 
 Vicentio and Olivia to be married ? — 
 
 LuD. I am sorry that it moves you thus — Evadne ; 
 Had I been used as thatingrate, be sure 
 1 ne'er had proved like him — I would not thus 
 Have flung thee like a poppy from my heart, 
 A drowsy sleep-provoking flower — Evadne, 
 1 had not thus deserted you ! [EiriV. 
 
 EvAD. Vicentio, 
 Olivia and Vicentio to be married ? 
 I heard it — yes — I am sure I did — Vicentio ! 
 Olivia to be married ! — and Evadne, 
 Whose heart was made of adoration — 
 Vicentio in her house ? there — underneath 
 That woman's roof — behind the door that looks 
 
 To shut me out from hope — I will myself 
 
 l[Advancingf then checking herself, 
 I do not dare to do it — but he could not — 
 He could not use me thus — he could not — Ha ! 
 
 [Vicentio enters from Olivia^s House, 
 
 ViG. Evadne here ? 
 
 EvAD. Would I had been born blind. 
 Not to behold the fatal evidence 
 Of my abandonment ! — Am 1 condemned 
 Even by the ocular proof, to be made sure 
 That I 'm a wretch for ever! — 
 
 Vic. Does she come 
 
40 EVADNE, [Act. III. 
 
 After the fashion of all womankhid, 
 
 To bate me with reproaches ? or does she dare 
 
 To think that she can angle me again 
 
 To the vile pool wherein she meant to catch me ? 
 
 I '11 pass her with the bitterness of scorn, 
 
 Her falsehood has extorted from my heart, 
 
 Nor seem to know her present to my sight. 
 
 [He passes Evadne. 
 She looks upon me with a speechless gaze 
 That seems half sorrow, half astonishment. 
 Now I am at least revenged . [Going. 
 
 Evad. My lord, I pray you — 
 My lord, I dare entreat — Vicentio — 
 
 Vic. Who calls upon Vicentio? Was it you? 
 What would you with him, for 1 bear the name. 
 
 Evad. Sir, I UxJ ;oi!atU)// ^jcsfi. 
 
 Vic. Go on — I '11 taunt her to the quick — , 
 Ludovico, I thank thee for thy lore 
 In the deep science of a woman's heart. — 
 
 Evad. My lord, I 
 
 Vic. Pray you speak— I cannot guess 
 By such wild broken phrase what you would have 
 Of one who knows you not. 
 
 Evad. Not know me ? hUffia^ Ki;; . 
 
 Vic. No— 
 Let me look in your face — there is indeed 
 Some faint resemblance to a countenance 
 Once much familiar to Vicentio's eyes, 't4*,i»l 
 
 But 'tis a shadowy one — she that I speak of 
 Was full of virtues as the milky way 
 Upon a frozen night is thick with stars. . pui-^tm t-:' 
 
 She was as pure as an untasted fountain. 
 Fresh as an April blossom, kind as love. 
 As meek as patience, as religion holy. 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 41 
 
 And good as infants giving charity ! — 
 Such was Evadne — fare you well ! 
 
 EvAD, My lord, 
 Is 't true what 1 've heard ? — 
 
 Vic. What have you heard ? 
 
 EvAD. Speak — are you to be married — ^let me hear it — 
 Thank God I 've strength to hear it. 
 
 Vic. I scarce guess 
 What interest you find in one that deems 
 Himself a stranger to you. 
 
 EvAD. Sir 
 
 Vic. But if 
 You are indeed solicitous to learn 
 Aught that imports me, learn that I to-day 
 Have asked the fair Olivia's hand, in place of one — 
 
 EvAD. You have bedewed with tears, and that henceforth 
 Will feel no lack of tears, though they may fall 
 
 From other eyes than yours So then, Vicentio, 
 
 Fame did not wrong you — You are to be married r — 
 
 Vic. To one within whose heart as pure a fire 
 As in the shrine of Vesta long has burned. 
 Not the coarse flame of a corrupted heart, 
 To every worship dedicate alike, 
 A false perfidious seeming. — 
 
 EvAD. I implore you 
 To spare your accusations. — I am come — 
 
 Vic. Doubtless, to vindicate yourself. — 
 
 EvAD. Oh, no! — 
 An angel now would vainly plead my cause 
 Within Vicentio* s heart — therefore, my lord, 
 I have no intent to interrupt the rite 
 That makes that lady yours ; but I am come 
 Thus breathless as you see me — would to God . 
 
 G 
 
42 
 
 EVADNE, [Act III. 
 
 I could be tearless tool—you will think, perhaps, 
 
 That 'gainst the trembling fearfulness I sin, 
 
 That best becomes a woman, and that most 
 
 Becomes a sad abandoned one. — 
 Vic. Evadne — 
 
 Evadne, you deceive yourself. 
 EvAD. 1 knew 
 
 I should encounter this— Vicentio, 
 
 False as you are — 
 
 Vic. Perfidious— pardon me, 
 
 I have not e'en the right to upbraid you aow— 
 
 We are henceforth as strange as tho' our eyes 
 
 Had never yet encountered. 
 EvAD. Oh, Vicentio, 
 
 I will endure all this— nay, more, my lord. 
 
 Hear aU the vengeance I intend.— 
 Vic. Go on. — 
 EvAD. May you be happy with that happier maid 
 
 That never could have loved you more than I do. 
 
 But may deserve ypu better '.-May your days. 
 
 Like a long stormless summer, glide away. 
 
 And peace and trust be with you 1-May you be 
 
 The after-patterns of felicity. 
 
 That lovers, when they wed, may only wish 
 
 To be as blest as you were— loveliness 
 
 Dwell round about you like an atmosphere 
 
 Of our soft southern air, where every flower 
 
 In Hymen's yellow wreath may bloom and blow ! 
 
 Let nature with the strong domestic bond 
 
 Of parent tenderness unite your hearts 
 
 In holier harmony ; and when you see 
 
 What you both love, more ardently adore 1 
 
 . And when at last you close your gentle lives, 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 43 
 
 Blameless as they were blessed, may you fall 
 
 Into the grave as softly, as the leaves 
 
 Of two sweet roses on an autumn eve, 
 
 Beneath the small sighs of the western wmd. 
 
 Drop to the earth together ! — for myself — 
 
 I will but pray — (sobbing.) 1 will but pray, my lord . 
 
 Vic. 1 must begone, else she may soon regain 
 A mastery o'er my nature. 
 
 EvAD. Oh, Vicentio, 
 I see that I am doomed a trouble to you. 
 I shall not long be so. I soon shall cease 
 To be of care to you, or to myself. 
 Or to aught else in this gay glittering world — 
 There 's but one trouble 1 shall ever give 
 To any one again. I will but pray 
 The Maker of the lonely beds of peace 
 To open one of his deep hollow ones. 
 Where misery goes to sleep, and let me in ; — 
 If ever you chance to pass beside my grave, 
 I am sure you '11 not refuse a little sigh. 
 And if my friend, (I still will call her so) 
 My friend, Olivia, chide you, prithee tell her 
 Not to be jealous of me in my grave. 
 
 Vic. The picture ? in your bosom — near your heart- 
 There on the very swellings of your breast, 
 The very shrine of chastity, you raised 
 A foul and cursed idol ! — Speak, Evadne, 
 I *11 try to lend thee faith — nay, I am willing — 
 
 EvAD. You did not give me time — no — riot a moment 
 To think what villany was wrought, to make me 
 So hateful to your eyes — It is too late, 
 You are Olivia's, I have no claim to you — 
 You have renounced me — 
 
 G 2 
 
44 EVADNE, [Act III. 
 
 Vic. Come, confess — confess — 
 
 EvAD. What then should I confess? that you, that heaven, 
 That all the world seem to conspire against me, 
 And that I am accursed — But let me hold— 
 I waste me in the selfishness of woe. 
 While life perchance is periled — Oh, Vicentio, 
 Prithee avoid Colonna's sight ! 
 
 Vic. Evadne? — 
 You do not think to fright me with his name ? 
 
 EvAD. Vicentio, do not take away from me 
 All that I 've left to love in all the world ! 
 Avoid Colonna's sight to-day — Vicentio, 
 Only to-day avoid him — I will find 
 Some way to reconcile him to my fate — 
 1 '11 lay the blame upon my hapless head ! — 
 Only to-day, Vicentio. 
 
 • Enter Colon n a. 
 
 Col. Ha! my sister! 
 Where is thy dignity ? where is the pride 
 Meet for Colonna's sister ? — hence ! — my lord — 
 
 Vic. What would you. Sir ? 
 
 CoL. Your life — you are briefly answered. 
 Look here. Sir — To this lady you preferred 
 Your despicable love ! Long did you woo. 
 And when at last by constant adoration, 
 Her sigh revealed that you were heard, you gained 
 Her brother's cold assent — Well then — no more — 
 For I \e no patience to repeat by cause 
 The wrong that thou hast done her. It has reached 
 Colonna's ear that you have abandoned her-— 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATUE. . 45 
 
 It rings thro' Naples, my good lord — now, mark me — 
 1 am her brother — 
 
 Vic. Well— 
 
 EvAD. Forbear! forbear! 
 I have no injury you should resent 
 In such a fearful fashion — I — my brother — 
 I am sure I never uttered a complaint 
 Heaved with one sigh, nor shed a single tear. 
 Look at me, good Colonna ! — now, Colonna 
 Can you discern a sorrow in my face ? 
 I do not weep — I do not — look upon me — 
 Why I can smile, Colonna. iBursts into tears* 
 
 Oh! my brother! — 
 
 Col. You weep, Evadne ! but 1 '11 mix your tears 
 With a false villain's blood. — If you have left 
 A sense of aught that 's noble in you still— 
 
 Vic. My lord, you do mistake, if you have hope 
 Vicentio's name was e'er designed to be 
 The cloak of such vile purpose — 
 
 Col. How ? explain — 
 I understand you not. 
 
 EvAD. Forbear, Colonna ; 
 Before your face, and in the face of heaven, 
 I do resign him — let his vows to me 
 Be razed from out the registry of sin. 
 As they are from my bosom — I forgive him. 
 And may heaven follow my example too ! 
 
 Col. But I will not, Evadne — I shall deal 
 In briefest phrase with you — Is \ true, my lord, 
 You have abandoned her ? 
 
 Vic. Is't true, my lord, 
 That to the King 
 
 Col. The King ? 
 
46 EVADNE, [Act III. 
 
 Vic. And could you think 
 That I am to be made an mstrument 
 For such a foul advancement ? do you thhik 
 That I would turn my name mto a cloak ? — 
 
 EvAD. Colonna, my dear brother. Oh, Vicentio ! 
 My love, my life, my — pardon me, my lord, 
 I had forgot — I have no right to use 
 Words that were once familiar to my lips : 
 But, for Heaven's sake, I do implore you here — 
 
 Col, Sir, you said something, if I heard aright, 
 Touching the King — explain yourself. 
 
 Vic. I will! 
 I will not wed his mistress ! 
 . EvAD. (with reproach.) Oh, Vicentio ! 
 
 Col. Whom mean you, Sir? 
 
 Vic. Look there ! 
 
 Col. Evadne! ha? 
 
 Vic. Evadne! 
 
 Col. (strikes him.) Here 's my answer! follow me! 
 Beyond the city's gates, I shall expect you. [Exit. 
 
 EvAD. (clinging to Vicentio, who has drawn his 
 szoord). 
 You shall not stir ! 
 
 Vie, If from his heart I poured 
 A sea of blood, it would not now content me. 
 Insolent villain ! dost thou stay me back ? 
 Away ! unloose me ! 
 
 EvAD. Hear me ! 
 
 Vic Dost thou dare 
 Still like my honour's shroud to hang about me r 
 
 EvAD. Olivia, hear me — listen to my cry— - 
 It is thy husband's life that now I plead for ; 
 I cannot hold his garment, but I know 
 
Scene!.] Or, THE STATUE. 47 
 
 Thou wilt have power upon him — Save, oh, save him ! 
 
 Vic. Then must i fling thee from me — Now I am free, 
 And swift as lightning on the whirlwind's wings, 
 I rush to my revenge ! {^Exit Vicentio. 
 
 EvADNE, who has fallen upon her knees in her struggle 
 
 with ViCENTlO. 
 
 EvAD. God help my heart ! 
 Choak not, thou struggling spirit, in my breast, 
 But leave me still the power to lift the cry 
 That bursts within my bosom ! — hear me, Olivia ! 
 Olivia, hear me ! 
 
 Enter Oliyi a from her House. 
 
 Oliv. Is*t Evadne calls 
 Like one that with a frantic energy } 
 
 In fire cries out for life ? 
 
 EvAD. I cry for life — 
 Vicentio's Hfe— Colonna's life — Olivia, 
 Look not thus cold and marble on my face — 
 1 do not come to chide thee. — To thy love 
 1 will resign him all, but, on my knees, 
 I beg thee to preserve him ! 
 
 Oliv. Whom dost talk off? 
 
 EvAD. You have power o'er him that I no more possess ; 
 Had he e'er loved me as he loves thee now, 
 I had been stronger when around his neck 
 I flung me to preserve him. — Oh, my friend ! 
 Colonna, maddened at my miseries, 
 And 1 confess that I am miserable. 
 Hath vowed a horrid vengeance, and even now 
 He smote Vicentio ! 
 
 Oliv. Heaven ! 
 
 EvAD. I prithee, look not 
 Misdoubtingly upon me — do not ask 
 
48 EVADNE, [Act III. 
 
 The touch of their cold corpses to convmce thee — 
 Oh ! fly to save — thy husband — he will heed 
 Thy supplication, though he scorn my tears- 
 Why dost thou stand thus muttering to thyself? 
 Hast thou not wings to save him ? 
 
 Oliv. I am punished 
 With dreadful retribution ! from my heart 
 All my base fraud is driven into my lips, 
 And in the dire confession of my guilt 
 Thou art avenged, Evadne ! — To himself 
 I dare not own it — but to thee reveal 
 The vileness I have practised. 
 
 EvAD. Speak! 
 
 Oliv. Evadne, 
 I have foully wronged thee — yet, what I have done 
 Was by a daemon uttered to my heart. 
 The hasty moments will not let me now 
 Detail the base machinery of my sin. 
 But with a letter — 
 
 EvAD. Ha! it breaks upon me! 
 The light is blazing in my brain — the picture ? 
 Olivia — speak — the picture ? 
 
 Oliv. When to me 
 Thou didst commit that token of his heart, 
 In the wild rapturous tremor of thy joy, 
 I seized advantage of Vicentio's coming, 
 And placed within thine unsuspecting hand — 
 
 EvAD. That horrid image that appeared to fill 
 My bosom with perdition, and did make me 
 Unto myself so horrible — 'twas you — 
 It was my friend Olivia ! 
 
 Oliv. The strong power 
 Of an unhappy passion, stung to rage 
 
Scene IL] Or, THE STATUE. 49 
 
 By a false villain's counsels, drove me on — 
 But the black sin was only half my own — 
 
 EvAD. What must be guilt, when it is such a hell 
 But to seem guilty ? — but I pardon thee — 
 For after having plunged my soul in fire. 
 Thou hast steeped me in Elysium. 
 
 Onv. I myself, 
 Will to the king, and bid him send his power 
 To interpose between them — ^thou, Evadne, 
 Wilt speak my guilt. 
 
 EvAD. Oh, my Vicentio! 
 What a triumphant heart I bear to thee, 
 I feel it trembling like a happy bird 
 Just loosened to the air, with wings outspread 
 To soar to its own liquid element ! 
 Love give thy swiftest pinions to my flight. 
 Waft me to my unkind Vicentio, 
 That I may play the tyrant for awhile. 
 Chide him with fond reproach, until at last 
 I throw myself all rapturous in his arms. 
 Burst into tears of transport, and forgive him ! 
 
 lExeunt severally/ 
 
 END OF THE THIRD ACT. 
 
60 AEVADNE, [Act IV 
 
 ACT IV, 
 
 SCENE 1. 
 
 A Street. 
 
 JEw^er CoLONNA and Yicehtio, with tfieir Swordsdrawn — 
 passing across. 
 
 Col. Y ONDER, my lord, beside the cypress grove 
 Fast by the church-yard — there 's a place, methinks. 
 Where we may 'scape the eye of observation. 
 
 Vic. I follow, Sir — the neighbourhood of the grave 
 Will suit our purpose well, for you or I 
 Must take its measure ere the sun be set. [^Exeunt, 
 
 Lu DO vice enters as they go off. 
 
 LuD. Ha ! there they go! — the furies, with their whips 
 Of hissing serpents, lash you to your fate — 
 My dull and passionate ools — you fall at last 
 Into the pit I have dug for you — the grave. — 
 You grasp the murdering hilt, while I, in thought. 
 Already clench the glorious staflf of empire. 
 1 hate you both ! — One of you has denounced me— 
 The other, robbed me of a woman's love, — 
 And both would in the state employ their power 
 To cut the eagle-pinions of my soul, 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATU^. 51 
 
 Nor let me perch upon the glorious top 
 Of golden royalty where I aspire ! — 
 They have already entered in the grove 
 Of funeral cypress, that above their heads 
 Hangs in pale augury — Now they are lost 
 Amid the crowded trunks — and yet a moment 
 And they will be about it ! — Now, Vicentio, 
 Thy fate is sealed — Colonna's arm is famed 
 Where all are skilled in death, and on thy breast 
 The fierce, impetuous soldier turns the point 
 Where sits mortality ! — Ha ! who comes here ? 
 Evadne !— yes — my eyes deceive me not — 
 'Twas happiest chance that led me to the field — 
 She must be interrupted — let me think — ^ 
 I have it — 
 
 Enter Evadne. 
 
 EvAD. For heaven's sake, whoe'er you are. 
 Tell me which way they passed — doth not this lead 
 To the eastern gate of the city — Ha ! Ludovico ! 
 My lord, my lord — my brother, and Vicentio 
 
 LuD. I know it all — and I shall thank the fate 
 That made Ludovico the messenger 
 Of such blest tidings to Evadne's ear — 
 Your brother and Vicentio. 
 
 EvAD. Speak, my lord — 
 For heaven's sake, speak ! 
 
 LuD. They are secure — thank heaven. 
 Their purpose is prevented. — Prithee, Evadne, 
 No longer seem a lily in the wind. 
 But bloom in soft tranquillity again ! 
 Chase terror from those eyes, and beam, sweet maid, 
 In still and peaceful loveliness ! 
 
 H 2 
 
52 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 EvAD. Secure! 
 My brother and Vicentio are secure ; 
 Their purpose is prevented — Oh, my lord, 
 Do you not mock me with a sound so blest ? 
 
 LuD. By providential circumstance, before 
 Their purpose was accomplished, both were seized, 
 And all their furious passions are as hushed 
 As the still waters of yon peaceful bay. 
 
 EvAD. Ludovico, I cannot speak how much 
 Thou has bound me to thee, by the holy sounds 
 Thou hast breathed upon mine ear ! — But, tell me. Sir, 
 Where, how, and when was this? What blessed hand 
 Between their wrath hath stretched its heavenly mercy. 
 And saved two lives more dear unto my heart 
 Than the strong pulse of life, thy words have waked 
 To such a rapturous throbbing ? — Speak, my lord. 
 To whom should 1 fall down, and from mine eyes 
 Strive to pour out my bosom in my tears ? 
 
 LuD. 'Twas 1 ! 
 
 EvAD. 'Twas you, Ludovico ? 
 
 LuD. The same ! 
 Hearing Olivia's marriage with Vicentio, 
 I saw the dreadful issue, and I flew 
 With the strong arm of power to intercept them. 
 
 EvAD. 'Twas you, Ludovico — what shall I say ? 
 I know not what to tell you — But, God bless you ! 
 A thousand times God bless you ! — On my knees. 
 And at your feet I thank you. [^She kneels, 
 
 LuD. They are about it ! 
 
 lAside, and looking towards tlie grove, 
 " How beautiful she looks! — I never yet 
 " Beheld a fairer creature! — Oh, Vicentio — 
 " Did she prefer thee to me ? — let it be so — 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATUE. 53 
 
 " She yet will be mine own ! — Arise, Evadne ! 
 
 " If I had given my life, upon my grave 
 
 " You should not thus have thanked me — beautiful woman! 
 
 " The gaze of those soft eyes, and the soft touch 
 
 " Of those fair hands I dare to press in mine, 
 
 " Have given me boundless recompense — Evadne ! — 
 
 " EvAD. My lord, I pray you '' 
 
 LuD. Beautiful Evadne ! 
 Loveliest beneath the skies, where every thing 
 Grows lovely as themselves — Nay, do not bend 
 Your eyes, and hide beneath these fleecy clouds 
 Stars beaming as the evening one, nor turn 
 That cheek away, that, like a cold rose, seems 
 Besprankt with snow ! — nor strive to win from me 
 Those hands, which he who formed the lily, formed 
 With imitative whiteness — I will presume, 
 For your dear sight hath made a madman of me, 
 To press my rapture here [Kisses her hanc 
 
 EvAD. My lord, I own, 
 That you surprise me, and were I not bound 
 By strenuous obligation, I should say. 
 Perchance, you did offend me — But I will not ! 
 Accept my gratitude, and be you sure 
 These thanks are from a warm and honest heart. 
 Farewell — I do forgive 
 
 LuD. You fly me then! 
 
 EvAD. I do not fly your presence, but I go 
 To seek my brother's bosom — 
 
 LuD. And Vicentio's ! 
 
 EvAD. You would be merry, Sir. 
 
 LuD. I have not cause — 
 Nor shall you. Madam — You would fly me thus, 
 
54 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 To rush at once into my rivaFs arms — 
 
 Nay, do not start — he well deserves the name— 
 
 I know him by no other. 
 
 EvAD. Sir, I hope 
 You will not revive a subject that has long 
 Between us been forgotten. 
 
 LuD. What I forgotten ? 
 I did not think to hear it—said you forgotten ? 
 Nay, do not think you leave me — in return 
 For such small service as 1 have done to-day, 
 I beg your audience — tell me what 's forgotten? 
 1 would hear it from your lips. 
 
 EvAD. I did not mean — 
 Forgive, and let me go. 
 
 LuD. What ? what forgotten ? 
 Your heartlessness to all the maddening power 
 Of the tumultuous passions in my heart ! 
 What ! what forgotten ? all the injuries 
 You have cast upon my head — the stings of fire 
 You have driven into my soul — my agonies. 
 My tears, my supplications, and the groans 
 Of my indignant spirit ! I can hold 
 My curbed soul no more — it rushes out ! 
 What ! what forgotten ? — me — Ludovico ! 
 
 EvAD. I pray you, my good lord, for heaven's sake, hear 
 me. 
 
 LuD. What ! to behold him like a pilferer, 
 With his smooth face of meanless infancy, 
 And his soft moulded body, steal away 
 That feathered thing, thy heart. 
 
 EvAD. Ludovico, 
 What may this sudden fury mean ? — ^}'ou do 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 55 
 
 But act these horrid passions to affright me 1 
 For you to-day preserved hfm, did you not f 
 Did you not say you saved Vicentio ? 
 
 LuD. I will permit you shortly to embrace him — 
 I will not long detain you from his arms — 
 But you will find him grown as cold a lover 
 As moonlight statues — his fond arms will hang 
 In loosened idleness about your form, — 
 And fiom those lips where you were wont imbibe 
 The fiery respiration of the heart, 
 You will touch the coldness of the unsunned snow. 
 Without its purity. 
 
 EvAD. I now perceive 
 What you would hint, my lord ;— doubtless you deem 
 Vicentio hath preferred Olivia's love ? 
 
 LuD. If you can wake his heart to love again, 
 I '11 hold you for a sorceress — no, Evadne, 
 You ne'er shall be Vicentio's — but mine ! 
 
 EvAD. Yours ! 
 
 LuD. Mine ! — I have said it, and before to-night 
 I '11 verify the prophecy. 
 
 EvAD. I know not 
 What lies within the dark and horrid cave 
 Of your imagination ; but be sure 
 I had rather clasp Vicentio dead — I see 
 That you recoil with passion. 
 
 LuD. By the fires — 
 Down, down, my burning heart ! — So you would rather 
 Within Vicentio's cold and mouldering shroud 
 Warm into love, than on this beating heart ? 
 But, be it so — you will have occasion soon 
 To try the experiment,— and then, Evadne, 
 You will more aptly judge. 
 
56 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 EvAD. Ha! a strong glare, 
 Like the last flash fi om sinking ships, has poured 
 A horrid radiance on me — Ha ! Ludovico — 
 Let it be frenzy that before my face 
 Spreads out that sheet of blood— thou fiend from hell I 
 
 LuD. Well, myEvadne? 
 
 EvAD. Daemon, hast thou mocked me ? 
 
 LuD. Didst thou not scorn — didst thou not madden me? 
 Didst thou not— Ha ! [Perceiving Co LO N N A . 
 
 By heavens, it is himself ! — 
 All is accomplished — and upon my front 
 Methinks I clasp the round of royalty! 
 Already do I clasp thee in mine arms ! — 
 Evadne ! — There — look there — Colonna comes, 
 And on that weapon flaming from afar 
 He bears the vengeance of Ludovico. 
 
 [Exit Ludovico 
 
 Enter Colonna with a Sword. 
 
 Col. Evadne, here ! 
 
 Evad. My brother ! 
 
 Col. Call me so — 
 For I have proved myself to be thy brother. 
 Look here ! — 
 
 Evad. There' s blood upon it ! 
 
 Col. And there should be. 
 
 Evad. Thou hast — 
 
 Col. 1 have revenged thee ! 
 
 Evad. Thou hast slain — 
 V^illain, thou hast slain Vicentio r 
 
 Col. I have revenged thee— 
 For any wrong done to my single self, 
 I should, perhaps, repent me of the deed ; 
 
Scene!.] Or, THE STATUE. 57 
 
 But, for a wrong to thee— Why dost thou look 
 Up to the heavens with such a wildered gaze ? 
 
 EvAD. To curse thee and myself, and all the world ! 
 Villain, thou hast slain Vicentio — thou hast slain him 
 Who was as dear unto my frantic heart, 
 As thou art horrible ! — and 'tis to me 
 Thou comest to tell it too — thou comest to bear 
 That weapon weltering with my lover's blood. 
 And stab these blasted eye-balls — Hide thee, villain ! 
 Hide thee within the centre of the earth ! — 
 Thou art all made of blood— and to the sun 
 Art grown detestable — Vicentio ! 
 My lord ! my bosom's throb '—my pulse of life ! 
 My soul ! my joy — my love ! — my all the world! 
 Vicentio ! Vicentio ! 
 
 Col. No more ! 
 He merits not thy sorrows. 
 
 EvAD. That fiend! 
 That villain, for whose black, accursed heart 
 Another penal world should be created ! 
 Invent, Omnipotence, some fiercer orb ' 
 
 'I'han has been yet created for the damned. 
 And in its burning centre plunge the fiend 
 That mocked me into blood ! 
 
 Col. Thy passionate grief 
 Doth touch me more than it beseems mine honour. 
 
 EvAD. Strike that infernal weapon thro' my heart I 
 Here — stab me thro' and thro' — here — lay me dead 
 
 Before thy feet — kill me — in mercy, kill me ! 
 
 If thou wilt do it, I will promise thee 
 Forgiveness in the other world for all 
 Thy cruelty to me, — Strike, strike, Colonna — 
 Not on thyself do I pronounce my curse, 
 
 I 
 
58 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 1 do recall my imprecations, 
 To pull them down on my own guilty head 1— - 
 ' Twas I that murdered him — Ludovico 
 And I do share his life between us both, 
 And be it on our heads — Colonna, kill me ! 
 Kill me, my brother ! 
 
 Col. Prithee, my Evadne, 
 Let me conduct thy grief to secresy — 
 I must from hence prepare my speedy flight. 
 For now my head is forfeit to the law ! 
 
 Enter Spalatro, with Guards. 
 
 Spal. Behold him here — Sir, I am sorry for 
 The duty which mine office hath prescribed ! 
 You are my prisoner. 
 
 Col. Sir, there is need 
 Of little words to excuse you — I was talking 
 Of speeding me from Naples, as you came. 
 But I scarce grieve you interrupt my flight, — 
 Here is my sword. 
 
 Spal. You are doomed to death ! 
 
 EvAD. To death 1 
 
 Spal. The king himself. 
 Hearing your combat with Vicentio, 
 Hath sworn, that who survived, shall by the axe — 
 
 Col. You speak before a woman — I was well 
 Acquainted with my fate before you spoke it.-.- 
 
 EvAD. Death! must you die, Colomia ! must you die? 
 Oh ! no — no — no ! not die. Sir, — Say not die — 
 
 Col. Retire, my sister — Sir, 1 follow you — 
 
 EvAD. Oh, not die, Colonna! no Colonna, 
 They snail not lake thee from me ! 
 
 Col, My sweet sister ! 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 59 
 
 I pray you, gentlemen, one moment more — 
 
 This lady is my sister, and indeed 
 
 Is now my only kin in all the world. 
 
 And I must die for her sake — my sweet sister ! 
 
 EvAD. No, no, not die, my brother — Oh! not die ! 
 
 Col. Evadne ! sweet Evadne ! Let me hear 
 
 [EvADNE becomes gradually insensible. 
 Thy voice before 1 go — I prithee, speak — 
 That even in death I may remember me 
 Of its sweet sounds, Evadne — She has fainted ! 
 I pray, you may not wake from lethargy, 
 Till the last blow shall sever me from earth — 
 Sir, I have a prayer to you. — 
 
 Spal. It shall be granted. 
 
 Col. My palace is hard by — let some of these 
 Good guardians of the law attend me thither. 
 
 [Evadne heaves a long sigh* 
 Ah ! what a heaving from the heart was there ! 
 How cold this cheek — for the last time I press 
 A brother's kiss upon it — ha ! a tear 
 Hangs on that eye-lid that 's scarce big enough 
 To fall along that cold and marble face — 
 Evadne, for thy sake, I am almost loth 
 To leave a world, the which, when I am gone 
 Thou wilt find, 1 fear, a solitary one ! 
 
 [Exit, bearing Evadne, and followed by Guards. 
 
'60 EVADNE, [Act IV, 
 
 SCENE 11. 
 
 A Prison. 
 Enter Ludovico, meeting Spalatro. 
 
 X.UD. Not here ! — where is Coloniia? who shall dare 
 To tell me he has escaped ? — 
 
 Spal. Guarded he bore 
 His sister to his palace, from the which 
 He will be soon led here. — 
 
 " LuD. If he had 'scaped, 
 " My projects from this teeming brain at once 
 " Abortively were ripped. But, as it is, 
 " His momentary absence doth become 
 " What I would speak to thee — 1 prithee here — " 
 Spalatro, as 1 passed, a rumour came, 
 Colonna's sword had but half done the work. 
 And that Vicentio was not stabbed to death — 
 If he still lives— but till I am sure of it. 
 No need to speak my resolution, — 
 Thou art his friend — 
 
 Spal. Such I'm indeed accounted. 
 But, save yourself, none doth deserve the name. 
 
 LuD. Then, hie thee hence, Spalatro, to inform me, 
 If yet Vicentio breathes, and afterwards, 
 I'll make some trial of thy love to me. [Exit Spalatro. 
 
 Enter C o lo n n a and Guards, 
 Col. Conduct me to my dungeon ! — I have parted 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE, 61 
 
 From all that bound my bosom to the world — 
 Ludovico ! — 
 
 LuD. The same ! 
 
 Col. Come you, my lord, 
 To swill with drunken thirst, the poor revenge 
 That makes a little mind's ignoble joy ? 
 
 LuD. Guards! I discharge Colonna fropa your care, — 
 He is no more your prisoner — Hence ! 
 
 [Exeunt Guards, 
 My lord, 
 
 Such is the vengeance of Ludovico ! 
 
 Col. What is a man doomed to the stroke of death 
 To understand by this ? 
 
 LuD. That I am his friend 
 Who called me traitor! 
 
 Col. Such I call you still. 
 
 LuD. Well then, I am a traitor. 
 
 CoL. There is here 
 A kind of marvellous honesty, my lord. 
 
 LuD. In you 'twas nobleness to bear the charge. 
 And yet 'twas glory to deserve it too. 
 Your father was the tutor of the king, 
 And loyalty is your inheritance — 
 I am not blind to such exalted virtue, 
 And I resolved to win Colonna's heart. 
 As hearts like his are won ! —Unto the king 
 Soon as Vicentio's fate had reached mine ear, 
 I hastened and implored your life. 
 
 Col. My life!— 
 Well, sir, my life.? — (with indifference.) 
 
 LuD. Upon my knees I fell. 
 Nor can I speak the joy that in my heart- 
 Leaped, when I heard him say, that thou should*st live. 
 
62 EVADNE, [Act IV, 
 
 Col. 1 am loth to owe you gratitude, my lord, 
 But, for my sister^s sake, whom I would not 
 Leave unprotected on the earth, I thank you ! 
 
 LuD. You have no cause to thank me, for, Colonna, 
 He did pronounce your death, e'en as he said 
 He gave you life. 
 
 Col. I understand you not. 
 
 LuD. Your honour's death, Colonna, which I hold 
 The fountain of vitality. 
 
 CoL. Go on! 
 I scarce did hear what did concern my life, 
 But aught that touches honour ► 
 
 LuD. Oh! Colonna, 
 ^* It struck me like a pestilence — it shrunk, 
 *' It blighted me with horror ! — The sirocco, 
 ^' If suddenly mid yonder summer sky 
 " From Afric's waste upon its wings of fire 
 ^' It rushed down to consume, would not have breath 
 *' More withering than the sounds which fell upon me." 
 I almost dread to tell thee ! 
 
 CoL. Prithee, speak! 
 You put me on the rack I 
 
 LuD. Wilt thou promise me, — 
 I will not ask thee to be calm, Colonna, — 
 Wilt promise me, that thou wilt not be mad? 
 
 CoL. Whate'er it be, I will contain myself. 
 You said 'twas something that concern'd mine honour. 
 The honour of mine house — he did not dare 
 To say my blood should by a foul attaint 
 Be in my veins corrupted; from their height 
 The mouldering banners of my family, 
 Flung to the earth ; the 'scutcheons of my fame 
 Trod by dishonour'^ foot, and my great race 
 Struck from the list of nobles r 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 63 
 
 LuD. No, Colonna, 
 Struck from the list of men ! — he dared to ask 
 As a condition for thy life, (my tongue 
 Doth falter as I speak it, and my heart 
 Can scarcely heave) by heavens, he dared to ask 
 That to his foul, and impious clasp, thou should'st 
 Yield up thy sister — 
 
 Col. Ha! 
 
 LuD. Barter for life 
 By horrid immolation of her charms. 
 Give her to profanation! — " Do not stare, 
 " Like one that with imperfect sense hath left 
 " Sleep's natural attitude, and walks abroad 
 " In horrid slumber, with his eyes wide-stretched, 
 ** As if he did commune with other worlds. 
 "If thou must needs be waJced, 1 '11 halloo it 
 " Into thine ear" — the king doth set a price 
 Upon thy life, and 'tis thy sister's honour. 
 
 Col. My sister! 
 
 LuD. Aye! thy sister! 
 
 Col. What! my sister! 
 
 LuD. Yes! do you start at last? — Your sitAesr, sir, 
 Evadne ! 
 
 Col. Thou hast plung^ed into mine ear 
 A sword of fire, and draw'st it to and fro. 
 Athwart my brain — my sister! 
 
 LuD. Yes, Colonna! 
 The beautiful Evadne! " I scarce thought 
 " That living man could dare — what dost thou gaze 
 " With such wild aspect on? — 
 
 *' Col. At red Vesuvius! — >. 
 " Dost thou not yonder see the mount of fire ? 
 " Bellowing, and sending from the abyss of fiaine 
 
64 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 *' Its entrails to the stars — hast ever heaid 
 " It was the mouth of hell ? 
 
 " LuD. It is my lord, 
 " The people's superstition. 
 
 " Col. Then I would 
 " Their faith were right, that to the raging brink 
 " Of the red bellowing crater, I might drag him, 
 '' And down the gulfs of sulphur plunge him deep 
 " Into the billows of eternal fire. 
 " My sister! 
 
 « LuD. Hold, Colonna!" 
 
 Col. By yon heaven, 
 Were he not stamped with immortality, 
 I will find some way to kill him ! — tho* he had been 
 Bathed twenty fathoms in the anointing Styx 
 Of his damned royalty, I 'd tear his heart out! 
 My sister ! 
 
 LuD. Do not waste in idle wrath 
 
 Col. My fathers ! do you hear it in the tomb ? 
 Do not your mouldering remnants of the earth 
 Feel horrid animation in the grave. 
 And strive to burst the ponderous sepulchre. 
 And throw it off? — My sister ! oh ! you heavens ! 
 Was this reserved for me ? for me !— the son 
 Of that great man that tutored him in arms, 
 And loved him as myself? — I know you wonder 
 That tears are dropping from my flaming eye-lids ; 
 But *tis the steaming of a burning heart. 
 And these are drops of fire — my sister ! 
 
 LuD. Now — 
 Do you now call me traitor ? Do you think 
 'Twas such a crime from off my country's heart 
 To fling this incubus of royalty ? — 
 
Scene II.] Or, THE STATUE. 65 
 
 Am I a traitor ? is *t a sin, my lord, 
 
 To think a dagger were of use in Naples ? 
 
 Col. Thou shalt not touch a solitary hair 
 Upon the villain's head ! — his life is mine ; 
 His heart is grown my property — Ludovico, 
 None kills him but myself! — I will, this moment, 
 Amid the assembled court, in face of day, 
 Rush on the monster, and without a sword 
 Tear him to pieces ! 
 
 LuD. Nay, Colonna, 
 Within his court he might perchance escape you, — 
 But, if you do incline to do a deed 
 Antiquity would envy, — with the means 
 He hath furnished you himself ! — He means, Colonna, 
 In your own house that you should hold to-night 
 A glorious revelry, to celebrate 
 Your sovereigti's sacred presence ; and so soon 
 As all the guests are parted, you yourself 
 Should lead your sister to him 
 
 Col. That I should 
 Convert the palace of mine ancestors 
 
 Into a place of brothelry — myself ! 
 
 Tell me no more, I prithee, if thou wouldst 
 I should be fit for death ! — 
 
 LuD. In honour be 
 A Roman, an Italian in revenge. 
 Waste not in idle and tempestuous sound . 
 Thy great resolve. — The king intends to bear 
 The honour of his presence to your house, — 
 Nay, hold! — I'll tell him you consent — he straight 
 Will fall into the snare, and then, Colonna, 
 Make offering of his blood to thy revenge ! 
 
 Co L. I thank thee for thy warning — 'tis well thought on — 
 
 K 
 
66 EVADNE, [Act IV. 
 
 I 'II make my vengeance certain, and commend 
 Thy wisdom in the counselling. — " The hope 
 " Of shedding his hot blood, hath made me cool, 
 " And quench'd the fires of wrath !" 
 
 LuD. Then, hie thee hence ! 
 And make meet preparation for the banquet. 
 I '11 straight return, and tell him you 're all joy 
 In the honour of his coming. 
 
 Col. Let him bring 
 His purple robes to make a shroud withal, — 
 *•' He shall be entertained, with wines of Greece, 
 *' And glorious sumptuousness — I '11 feast him high, 
 " To make his blood the richer, with the which 
 " I will make libation to revenge, and when 
 *' The deed is done 
 
 " LuD. We'll fling him in the sea 
 " From off the battlements, and send his corpse 
 ** On the rough back of some propitious wave, 
 " Yonder to Caprea's isle, the famed abode 
 " Of old Tiberius, where he used to drag 
 *' The daughters, wives, and sisters of the chief 
 " Of Rome's great senate to be sacrificed 
 " To his decrepid villany ! — 'tis there, 
 " The sea shall give him burial ! — on the shore 
 " Already sacred to atrocity, 
 " 'Tis fit he rot! 
 
 " Col. Right, right, Ludovico ! 
 " 1 'II hence this instant, and prepare for him — 
 " And, prithee, haste him on to destiny ! " 
 The rigorous muscles of my clenched hand 
 Already feel impatience for the blow 
 That strikes the crowned monster to the heart. 
 
 [Exeunt sever nlly. 
 
 END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 
 
Or, THE STATUE. 67 
 
 ACT V, 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 A vast Hall in Colonna's Palace, Jilled with Statues, The 
 Moon streams in through the Gothic Windows, and ap- 
 peals to fall upon the Statues. A Chamber -door at the 
 back. 
 
 Enter the King arid Ludovico. 
 
 LuD. 1 HIS is the way, my liege. Coloima bade me 
 Conduct you to your chamber, while' he'^went 
 To seek the fair Evadne, and conduct 
 Her soft reluctance to your highness' arms. 
 
 King. Ludovico, thou hast proved thyself to-day 
 The genius of my happier destiny : 
 Thee must I thank, for 'twas thy rarer wit 
 Did guide me on to heaven. 
 
 LuD. I '11 send you there, (aside.) 
 
 King. When first I heard Vicentio fell beneath 
 The hot Colonna's sword, I do confess 
 It smote me sore, but now 'tis told abroad 
 That he hath passed all peril. 
 
 K 2 
 
as EVADNE, [ActV. 
 
 LuD. lam glad 
 His death does not conduct you to your joys — 
 Vicentio bears a slight unharming wound, 
 That sheds his blood, but perils not his life : 
 But let him pass — let not a thought of him 
 Flit round the couch of love. 
 
 King. Good night, my friend, 
 And prithee, bid Colonna swiftly lead her 
 To the expecting transports of my heart. 
 
 Ltjd. I will bid him speed her coyness. 
 
 King. Hie thee, Ludovico, 
 For every moment seems an age. [Exit to Chamber. 
 
 LuD. An age ! 
 For you, nor minute, hour, nor day, nor year. 
 Nor age, shall shortly be. " I do not think 
 " In hell there is a time-glass ; if the damned 
 " E'er ask what time it is — I 've heard priests say 
 " That conscience answers — * 'Tis eternity !' 
 " Henceforth, my liege, there is no time for you." — 
 'Tis now the dead of night — That sounds to me 
 Like an apt word, — for nature doth to me 
 Shew like a giant cr^se — This mighty world, 
 Its wide and highly-vaulted sepulchre. 
 And yonder moon a tomb-lamp! when the king 
 Lies dead to boot, all things will then appeal' 
 In a more full proportion. — Ha! he comes! 
 My dull and unconscious instrument I^rr-Colonna ! 
 
 Enter Colonna with a dagger* 
 
 Welcome, my friend, for such I dare to call you. — 
 The king 's already to his bed retired. 
 Where death will be his paramour. 
 Col. 1 have heard 
 
Scene L] Or, THE STATUE. 69 
 
 Vicentio was not wounded unto deatU — 
 Would this were sooner known ? 
 
 LuD. Why, my good lord ? 
 
 Col. Because the king would not have offered me 
 Such an indignity, nor should T now 
 Tread into murder. 
 
 LuD. Murder — I had hoped, 
 You would not on the threshold of the deed 
 Stay tottering thus — Why, you look paler, sir, 
 Than one of these white statues-^One would deem 
 It was a deed of sin, and not of honour. 
 That you had undertaken. 
 
 Col. By yon heaven, 
 I cannot stab him like a slave that's hired 
 To be a blood-shedder ! I cannot clench 
 This hand, accustomed to a soldier's sword. 
 Around this treacherous hilt, and with the other 
 Squeeze the choked spirit from tlie gasping throat — 
 Then kneel upon his bosom, and press out 
 The last faint sigh of life ! Down,, damned steel ! 
 Fit instrument for cowards — 1 will play 
 A warrior's part, and arm him for the fight ! — 
 Give me thy sword that I may put defence 
 Into the tyrant's hand, and nobly kill him, — 
 Come forth ! ^Going to the dooi 
 
 LuD. Hold, madman, hold! — what wouldst thou do.'* 
 
 CoL. Bravely encounter him — not take his life 
 Like a mercenary stabber. 
 
 LuD. Hast thou thought 
 That he may be the victor too ? 
 
 Col. My death 
 Will not be thought inglorious. 
 
 LuD. There's some praise 
 
70 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 In falling by the hand of royalty ; 
 But when you are laid within your sepulchre 
 And rot most honourably, then I fear me, 
 A lesser shame will not befall your house 
 For all the graven marbles on your tomb ! — 
 Your sister — 
 
 Col. Ha! 
 
 LuD. Your sister will not find, 
 When you are dead, a bulwark in your grave, 
 Where will she find a guardian arm — thine arm 
 Will be the food of the consuming worm, 
 While in the hot embraces of the king — 
 
 Col. I did not think on that. 
 
 LuD. But I perhaps mistake you all this while — 
 You have better thought upon the dignity 
 He means your house. 
 
 Col. You do not dare — 
 
 Lud: 1 dare to tell you this — 
 Who can forgive such injury as thine. 
 Hath half consented to it. — How is it 
 The glorious resolve hath cooled within thee ? 
 Hath any thing befallen, that should have blown 
 On the red iron of thy heated wrath. 
 And steeped thee back to meekness.. — Was the touch 
 Of his warm amorous hand, wherein he palmed 
 Her struggling fingers, ice upon your rage ? 
 When he did tread upon her yielding foot 
 Beneath the cloth of gold- 
 
 Col. If I had seen it. 
 He had not lived an instant ! 
 
 Lud. When you turned. 
 He flung his arms around, and on her cheek 
 He pressed his ravenous lips ! — 'Sdeath, Sir, consider 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 71 
 
 You pray the King of Naples to your roof, — 
 
 You hail his coming in a feast that kings 
 
 Could scarce exceed in glory — It is blown 
 
 Thro' all the city that he sleeps to-night 
 
 Within your sister's bed ; and, it is said, 
 
 That you, yourself, have smoothed the pillow down. 
 
 Col. Where is he ? let me see him who presumes 
 To think the blasphemy. 
 
 LuD. Behold him here ! 
 I, sir — yes, I — Ludovico, dare think 
 With every man in Naples, if the king 
 Should leave your roof with life, that he has tasted 
 The fruit he came to pluck. 
 
 Col. No more — no more — 
 He perishes, Ludovico 1 
 
 LuD. That's well— 
 I am glad to see you pull into your heart 
 Its brave resolve again — and if there be 
 Aught wanting to confirm thee, think, Colonna, 
 Think that you give your country liberty. 
 While you revenge yourself !— Go, my Colonna— 
 Yonder *s the fated chamber — plunge the steel 
 Into his inmost heart, and let the blood 
 Flow largely, " till the floor absorb it up : 
 " That men hereafter journeying to Naples, 
 ** May go to see the chamber, where the gore 
 " Shed by Colonna's hand doth rust for ever! " 
 
 Col. I' U call to thee when it is done. 
 
 LuD. Hark thee ! he '11 cry for life — and well I know 
 The pleading for existence may have power 
 Upon thy noble nature — then, Colonna, 
 Drown every shriek with chaste Evadne's name. 
 And stab him as thou criest it ! [Exit. 
 
72 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 [CoLONNA advances towards the chamber-door. 
 
 Col. I will do it! — 
 
 [fle pushes the door, and finds , from his agitated 
 condition, it is difficult to move. 
 I can scarce move the door — it will not yield — 
 It seems as if some mighty hand were laid 
 Against it to repel me. 
 
 {Voice exclaims) Hold ! 
 
 Col. {Starting) It was only 
 My thought informed the air with voice around me — 
 Why should I feel as if I walked in guilt 
 And trod to common murder^— he shall die ! 
 Come then, enraging thought, into my breast 
 And turn it into iron ! 
 
 {Voice.) Hold! 
 
 Col. It shot 
 With keen reality into mine ear. 
 A figure in the shadow of the moon, 
 Moves slowly on my sight, and now appears 
 Like a fair spirit of the midnight hour ! 
 What art thou.? 
 
 EvADNE advances from behind the Statues. 
 
 EvAD. Heaven does not alone employ 
 The holy creatures of another world, 
 As heralds of its merciful behests : 
 But can make angels of the things of earth, 
 And use them in its purest minist'rings. 
 My brother ! 
 
 Col. How, my sister ! is it meet 
 You watch the foot-fall of my midnight tread ? 
 Come you across my purpose ? 
 
 EvAD. From my chamber 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 73 
 
 That to the great hall Leads, I did behold you, 
 
 In dreadful converse with Ludovico 
 
 Your looks at the banquet did unto my fears 
 
 Forebode no blessed issue, for your smiles 
 
 Seemed veils of death, and underneath your brows 
 
 1 saw the silent furies — Oh, Colonna, — 
 
 Thank Heaven, the safety of Vicentio 
 
 Has given me power to watch your dangerous steps ! 
 
 What would you do ? 
 
 Col. Methinks it ill pertains 
 To woman*8 humbler nature to pursue 
 The steps of man, and pry into his purpose. 
 Get thee to rest. 
 
 EvAD. Is that high front, Colonna, 
 One to write Cain upon r — Alas, Colonna, 
 I did behold you with Ludovico, 
 By yonder moon, and I as soon had seen thee 
 Commune with the great foe of all mankind— 
 What wouldst thou do ? 
 
 Col. Murder! 
 
 EvAD. What else, Colonna, 
 Couldst thou have learned from Ludovico ? 
 
 Col. In yonder chamber lies the king — I go 
 To stab him to the heart ? 
 
 EvAD. 'Tis nobly done ! 
 I will not call him king — but guest, Colonna — 
 Remember, you have called him here — remember 
 You have pledged him in your father's golden cup ; 
 Have broken bread with him — the man, Colonna, 
 
 CoL. Who dares to set a price upon my life — 
 What think'st thou 'twas ? 
 
 EvAD. I think there's nought too dear 
 To buy Colonna's life. 
 
 Col. 'Twas a vast price 
 
 L 
 
74 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 He asked me then — you were to pay it too — 
 It was my Evadne's honour. 
 
 EvAD. Ha! 
 
 Col. He gives my life upon condition — Oh, my sister t 
 I am ashamed to tell thee what he asked. 
 
 EvAD. What! did he ?— - 
 
 Col. Thou dost understand me now ? — • 
 Now — if thou wilt, abide thee here, Evadne, 
 Where thou mayest hear his groan. [^Going in. 
 
 EvAD. Forbear, Colonna! 
 For Heaven's sake, stay — thia was the price he asked thee I 
 He asked thee for thy life ? — thy Hfe,? — but, no — 
 Vicentio lives, and 
 
 Co L. (Aside) How is this ? She seems 
 To bear too much of woman in her heart; 
 She trembles — ^}et she does not shrink — her cheek 
 Is not inflamed with anger, and her eye 
 I>arts not the lightning ! — 
 
 EvAD. Oh! my dearest brother, 
 Let not this hand, this pure, this white fair hand, 
 Be blotted o'er with blood. 
 
 Col. Why, is it possible. 
 She has ta'en the sinful wish into her heart ? 
 By Heaven, her pride is dazzled at the thought 
 Of having this same purple villain kneel. 
 And bend his crown before her — She 's a woman ! ^; 
 
 Evadne ! 
 
 EvAD. Well? 
 
 Col. The king expects me to 
 Conduct you to his chamber — Shall I do so ? 
 
 EvAD. I prithee, be not angry at my prayer — 
 But bid him come to me. 
 
 Col. What! bid him come to thee? 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 75 
 
 EvAD. And leave me with him here. 
 
 Col. What! leave thee vv^ith him ? 
 
 EvAD. Yes — 1 implore it of thee — prithee, Golonna, 
 Conduct my sovereign here. 
 
 Col. Yes — I will try her — 
 I know not what she means, but, hitherto, 
 I deemed her virtuous. — If she fall, she dies. — 
 I'll here conceal myself, and if in word 
 She give consent, I '11 rush upon them both 
 And sttike one heart thro' the other, 
 
 EvAD. Send him to me. 
 
 Col. There 's a wild purpose in her solemn eye — 
 £ know not if 'tis sin, but I will make 
 A terrible experiment. — What, ho! 
 My liege, I bear fulfilment of my promise — 
 Colonna bears Evadne to your arms ! 
 
 Enter the Km g from the Chamber, 
 
 King. Colonna, my best friend, how shall I thank thee? 
 But where is my Evadne ? 
 
 Col. There, my lord ! 
 
 King. Colonna, I not only give thee life, 
 But place thee near myself; henceforth thou wilt wear 
 A nobler title in thy family, — 
 And to thy great posterity we '11 send 
 My granted dukedom. 
 
 Col. Sir, you honour me. 
 My presence is no longer needed here. 
 (Aside) A word's consent despatches them ! 
 
 \^He conceals himself behind the pillars 
 
 King. Evadne ! 
 Thou fairest creature that ever feasted yet 
 My ravished sense with beauty, whose fine form 
 
 L2 
 
76 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 Is full of charms, as nature in the spring 
 Is rich in rosy blossoms — I approach thee 
 With all the trembling passion that untold 
 Save by Ludovico, — 
 
 EvAD. Ludovico ! 
 
 King. Yes, my Evadne, to his trusty care 
 I did commit my fires — nay, do not feign 
 This pretty wonderment, — n\y sweet Evadne, 
 Let me conduct you by the fairest hand 
 That man hath ever touched — 
 
 EvAD. {Retiring) I pray you, sir — 
 
 King. My lovely trembler, lay aside thy sad 
 And drooping aspect in this hour of joy ! 
 Stoop not thy head, that like a pale rose bends 
 Upon its yielding stalk — thou hast no cause 
 For such a soft abashment, for he sure 
 I '11 place thee high in honour. 
 
 EvAD. Honour, sir! 
 
 King. Yes; 1 '11 exalt thee into dignity. 
 Adorn thy name with titles — All my court 
 Shall watch the movement of thy countenance, 
 Riches and poVver shall wait upon thy smile, 
 And in the lightest bending of thy brow 
 Death and disgrace inhabit. 
 
 KvAD. And, my liege, 
 That will inhabit my own heart ? 
 
 King. My love! 
 Come, my Evadne — what a form is here ? 
 The imaginers of beauty did of old 
 O'er three rich forms of sculptured excellence 
 Scatter the naked graces ; bui the hand 
 Of mightier nature hath in thee combined 
 All varied charms together. 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 77 
 
 EvAD. You were speaking 
 Of sculpture, sir — I do remember me, 
 You are deemed a worshipper of that high art, 
 Whose bright creation lighting on the dead 
 And shapeless marble, turns it into life. 
 And mimicking divinity can make 
 Its breathing mass immortal ! — Here, my lord, 
 Is matter for your transports! [Pointing to the Statue 
 
 King. Fair Evadne ! 
 Do you not mean to mock me ? Not to gaze 
 On yonder lifeless marbles did I come 
 To visit you to-night, but in the pure, 
 And blue-veined alabaster of a breast. 
 Richer than heaves the Parian that has wed 
 The Florentine to immortality. — 
 
 EvAD. You deem me of alight capricious mood. 
 But it were hard if, (woman as I am) 
 I could not use my sex's privilege — 
 Tho' I should ask you for yon orb of light. 
 That shines so brightly, and so sadly there, 
 And fills the ambient air with purity — 
 Should you not feign, as 'tis the wont of those 
 Who cheat a wayward child, to draw it down, 
 And in the sheeted splendour of a stream 
 To catch its shivering brightness ! — It is my pleasure 
 That you should look upon these reverend forms, 
 That keep the likeness of mine ancestry- - 
 I must enforce you to it ! — 
 
 King. Wayward woman ! 
 What arts does she intend to captivate 
 My soul more deeply in her toils ? 
 
 EvAD. [Coiftg to a Statue. 
 
 Behold ! 
 
78 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 The glorious founder of my family ! 
 
 It is the great Rodolpho ! — he was famed 
 
 When heroes filled the world, and deeds that now 
 
 Are miracles, were the unmarvelled growth 
 
 Of every day's succession ! — Charlemagne 
 
 Did fix that sun upon his shield, to be 
 
 His glory's blazoned emblem ; for at noon, 
 
 When the astronomer cannot discern 
 
 A spot upon the full-orbed disk of light, 
 
 'Tis not more bright than his immaculate name ! 
 
 With what austere, and dignified regard 
 
 He lifts the type of purity, and seems 
 
 Indignantly to ask, if aught that springs 
 
 From blood of his, shall dare to sully it ! 
 
 With a vapour of the morning ! 
 
 King. It is well; 
 His frown has been attempered in the lapse 
 
 Of generations, to thy lovely smile, — 
 
 [ swear, he seems not of thy family. — 
 My fair Evadne, I confess, 1 hoped 
 Another sort of entertainment here. 
 
 EvAD. Another of mine ancestors, my liege — 
 
 Guelfo the Murderer ! 
 King. The Murderer! 
 
 I knew not that your family was stained 
 
 With the reproach of blood. 
 EvAD. We are not wont 
 
 To blush, tho' we may sorrow for his sin. 
 
 If sin indeed it be. — His castle walls 
 
 Were circled by the siege of Saracens, — 
 
 He had an only daughter whom he prized 
 
 More than you hold your diadem; but when 
 
 He saw the fury of the infidels 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 79 
 
 Burst through his shattered gates, and on his child 
 Dishonour's hand was lifted, with one blow 
 He struck her to the heart, and with the other, % 
 ■He stretched himself beside her. 
 
 King. Fair Evadne, 
 I '11 bid your brother chide you for delay, — 
 Perverse, capricious woman ! 
 
 EvAD. I Ml not raise 
 A tax upon your patience by regard 
 Of this large host of heroes — They ape those 
 Who fought in Palestine, and shed theif blood 
 For the holy sepulchre. — Two oaths they swore-*- 
 One to defend their God— the other was, 
 With their right arms to guard the chastity 
 Of an insulted woman. 
 
 King. Fair Evadne, 
 I must no more indulge you, else I fear 
 You would scorn me for my patience; prithe?, love, 
 No more of this wild phantasy ! 
 
 EvAD. My liege. 
 But one remains, and when you have looked upon it. 
 And thus complied with my desire, you will find me 
 Submissive to your own. — Look here, my lord, — 
 Know you this statue? 
 
 King. No, in sooth, I do not. 
 
 EvAD. Nay — look again — for I shall think but ill 
 Of princely memories, if you can find 
 Within the inmost chambers of your heart 
 No image like to this — look at that smile — 
 That smile, my liege — look at it ! 
 
 King. It is your father! 
 
 E V A D . ( Breaking into exultation.) 
 Aye! — 'tis indeed my father! — 'tis my good. 
 
80 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 Exalted, generous, and god-like father! 
 
 Whose memory, though he had left his child 
 
 A naked, houseless roamer through the world. 
 
 Were an inheritance a princess might 
 
 Be proud of for her dower! — It is my father! 
 
 Whose like in honour, virtue, and the fine 
 
 Integrity that constitutes a man. 
 
 He hath not left behind ! — there is that smile. 
 
 That, like perpetual day-light, shone about him 
 
 In clear and bright magnificence of soul! 
 
 Who was my father? 
 
 (With a proud and conscious interrogatory.) 
 
 King. One, whom 1 confess 
 Of high and many virtues. 
 
 EvAD. Is that all? 
 I will help your memory, and tell you first, 
 That the late King of Naples looked among 
 The noblest in his realm for that good man, 
 To whom he might intrust your opening youth, 
 And found him worthiest. In the eagle's nest 
 Early he placed you, and beside his wing 
 You learned to mount to glory ! Underneath 
 His precious care you grew, and you were once 
 Thought grateful for his service. His whole life 
 Was given to your uses, and his death — 
 Ha ! do you start, my lord ? On Milan's plain 
 He fought beside you, and when he beheld 
 A sword thrust at your bosom, rushed— it pierced him ! 
 He fell down at your feet, — he did, my lord ! 
 He perished to preserve you ! [Rushes to the Statue.'\ Breath- 
 less image, 
 Altho' no heart doth beat within that breast. 
 No blood is in those veins, let me enclasp thee, 
 
ScKNE I.] Or, THE STATUE. 81 
 
 And feel thee at my bosom. — Now, Sir, I am ready — 
 Come and unloose these feeble arms, and take me ! — 
 Aye, take me from this neck of senseless stone, — 
 And to reward the father with the meet 
 And wonted recompense that princes give — 
 Make me as foul as blotted pestilence, 
 As black as darkest midnight, and as vile 
 As guilt and shame can make me. 
 
 King. She has smitten 
 Compunction thro* my soul ! 
 
 EvAD. Approach, my lord ! 
 Come in the midst of all mine ancestry, 
 Come and unloose me from my father's arms — 
 Come, if you dare, and in his daughter's shame 
 Reward him for the last drops of the blood 
 Shed for his prince's life ! — Come ! — 
 
 King. Thou hast wrought 
 A miracle upon thy' prince's heart. 
 And lifted up a vestal lamp, to shew 
 My soul its own deformity — my guilt ! 
 
 EvAD. [Disengaging herself from the Statue.'] Ha! have 
 you got a soul ? — have you yet left. 
 Prince as you are, one relic of a man ? 
 Have you a soul ? — he trembles — he relents — 
 I read it in the glimmering of his face ; 
 And there 's a tear, the bursting evidence 
 Of nature 's holy working in the heart ! 
 Oh, God 1 he weeps ! my sovereign, my liege 
 Heart! do not burst in ecstasy too soon I 
 My brother ! my Colonna ! — hear me— hear ! 
 In all the wildering triumph of my soul, 
 I call upon thee ! 
 
 \Turningf she perceites Colonna advancing from among the 
 
 Statues] 
 
 M 
 
S2 EVADNK, [Act V. 
 
 There lie is — my brother ! 
 Colonna, let me rush into thine arms, 
 And in thy bosom I will try to keep 
 My bursting heart within me. 
 
 Col. Let me behold thee, 
 Let me compress thee here ! — Oh ! my dear sister ! 
 A thousand times mine own ! — I glory in thee, 
 More than in all the heroes of my name ! — 
 1 overheard your converse, and methought 
 It was a blessed spirit that had ta'en 
 Thy heavenly form, to shew the wondering world 
 How beautiful was virtue ! — Sir, — (to the King) 
 
 EvAD. Colonnn, 
 There is your King ! 
 
 Col. Thou hast made him so again! 
 Thy virtue hath re-crowned him — and 1 kneel 
 His faithful subject here ! 
 
 King. Arise, Colonna! 
 You take the attitude that more befits 
 The man who would have wrong'd you, but whose heart. 
 Was by a seraph callM again to heaven ! 
 Forgive me ! 
 
 Col. Yes, with all my soul I do ! 
 And I will give you proof how suddenly 
 You are grown my Prince again. — Do not inquire 
 What I intend, but let me lead you here 
 Behind these statues. — 
 
 (Places the King behind the Statues.) 
 Ho! Ludovico ! [Ev a dne retires. 
 
 What ho! there !— Here he comes ! 
 
 Enter Ludovico. 
 Ludovico, 
 1 have done tlie deed T 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUt. S3 
 
 LuD. He is dead ? 
 
 Col. He is as dead 
 As twenty stabs could make him — thro* his heart 
 E'en as thou badest me, did I drive the steel, 
 And as he cried for life, Evadne's name 
 Drowned his last shriek ! 
 
 LuD. So! 
 
 Col. Why, Ludovico, 
 Stand you thus rapt? Why does your bosom heave 
 In such wild tumult ? Why is it you place 
 Your hand upon your front? What hath possessed you ? 
 
 LuD. (With a strong laugh of irony) Fool ! 
 
 Col. How is thisi' 
 
 LuD. So, thou hast slain the king? 
 
 Col. I did but follow your advice, my lord. 
 
 LuD. Therefore, I call ye— Fool !— From the king's h«ad 
 Thou hast ta'en the crown, to place it on mine own ! 
 Therefore I touched my front, for I did think 
 That palpably, I felt the diadem 
 Wreathing its golden round about my brow ! 
 But, by yon heaven, scarce do I feel more joy 
 In climbing up to empire, than 1 do 
 In knowing thee my dupe ! 
 
 Col. I know, my lord, 
 You bade me kill the king. 
 
 LuD. And since thou hast slain him. 
 Know more,-" twas I that first within his heart 
 Lighted impurity ;— 'twas I, Colonna,— 
 Hear it— 'twas I that did persuade the king 
 To ask thy sister's honour, as the price 
 Of thine accorded life ! 
 
 Col. You?- 
 
 LuD. Wouldst hear more ? — 
 
 M 2 
 
84 EVADNE, [Act V. 
 
 To-morrow sees me king ! I have already 
 
 Prepared three thousand of my followers 
 
 To call me to the throne — and when I am there, 
 
 I'll try thee for the murdering of the king, — 
 
 And then— What ho, there! Guards! —then, my good lord, 
 
 When the good trenchant axe hath struck away 
 
 That dull, and passionate head of thine — What ho ! 
 
 I'll take the fair Evadne to mine arms. 
 
 And thus 
 
 Enter Guards, 
 On yonder traitor seize ! — 
 With sacrilegious hand he has ta'en away 
 The consecrated life of majesty, 
 And 
 
 The King comes forward. 
 What do I behold ? is not my sense ' 
 
 Mocked with this horrid vision ? " Hold my frame 
 " A little longer— and, you faculties 
 " Of reasonable man, droop not beneath 
 " That horrid phantom," that hath started up 
 To make an idiot of me — is it not 
 The vapour of the senses that has framed 
 The only spectacle that ever yet 
 Appalled Ludovico ? — 
 
 King. Behold thy king ! 
 
 LuD. He lives ! — I am betrayed — but let me not 
 Play traitor to myself — befriend me still 
 Thou guarding genius of Ludovico ! — 
 My liege, my royal master, do I see you 
 Safe from the plots of yon accursed traitor ? 
 And throwing thus myself around your knees 
 Do I clasp reality ? 
 
Scene I.] Or, THE STATUE. 85 
 
 King. Traitor, arise! 
 Nor dare pollute my garment with a touch ! 
 1 kno\r thee for a villain ! — Seize him, guards ! 
 
 LuD. (Drawing his sword,) 
 By this right arm they dare not — this right arm 
 That to the battle oft hath led them on. 
 Whose power to kill they know, but would not feel ! — 
 I am betrayed — but who will dare to leap 
 Into the pit wherein the lion's caught, 
 And hug with him for death ? Not one of this 
 Vile herd of trembling wretches ! 
 [To the King.'] Thou art meet alone to encounter me. 
 And thus in the wild bravery of despair, 
 I rush into thy life ! 
 
 Col. (Intercepts and stabs him.) And there! and there ! 
 That went into thy heart ! — Art thou immortal 
 Must 1 yet stab thee deeper ? 
 
 [Lu DO VI CO falls. 
 
 EvAD. ( Rushing up to CoLOT^N A.) Oh! my brother! 
 
 King. Thou hast a second time preserved thy prince ! 
 
 LuD. Colonna, thou hast conquered. 
 Oh ! that I could. 
 
 Like an expiring dragon, spit upon you ! — 
 That I could — thus I fling the drops of life 
 In showers of poison on you — May it fall 
 Like Centaur-blood, and fester you to madness ! 
 
 Oh! that I could 
 
 [He grasps his sword, andyin an effort to rise, dies. 
 
 " Col. In that gasp 
 '* The soul rushed to infinity. 
 
 " EvAD. Oh! turn away 
 " From that affrighting spectacle! the good 
 '' Look awfully in death— the h^L^'^-^With a broken shudder. 
 
^6 EVADNE. [Act V, 
 
 King. " Evadne, 
 <* We '11 turn to living beauty, dignified 
 " And fair, illumined by the silver light 
 " Of the bright soul within ! Your sovereign owes 
 " His diadem to you, and what is more, 
 " The contrite spirit that shall make him fit 
 " To bear it on his head ! — Henceforth, Colonnft, 
 " Share thou my kingdom with me, and adorn 
 " My councils by thy virtue." — Fair Evadne, 
 We will repair our injuries to thee. 
 And wait in all the pomp of royalty 
 Upon the sacred day that gives thy hand 
 To thy beloved Vicentio 1 
 
 Col. And the nuptials 
 Shall at the pedestal be solemnized 
 Of our great father ! ^ 
 
 EvAD. Dost not think, Colonna, — 
 Dost thou not think, his holy spirit spreads 
 His wings around to shelter us from harm — 
 And that amid the fleshless world he looks 
 With nature's tender feelings on his child ?— 
 Here every night, before I go to rest, 
 I will kneel down, and say my orisons. 
 
 " CoL. And if the coldest heretic should chance 
 " To see thee kneeling there, with thy white hands 
 " Folded upon thy bosom, and thine eyes 
 " Bright with adoring love, he would not dare 
 " To call thy worship an idolatry." 
 
 THE END. 
 
EPILOGUE, 
 
 SPOKEN BY MRS, FAUCIT. 
 
 Drop Scene. — The Hall of Dramatic Statues, 
 
 Sent hither by our Bard, no pleasant jaunt- 
 In Epilogue a timorous debutante, 
 I ask your favour, like a prudent elf. 
 One word for him, and one word for myself ! 
 
 Cut off, like Crusoe, from the social walk. 
 With no Man Friday to keep up the talk 
 Frown'd on by yonder monumental sages 
 
 f Pointing to the Drop,) 
 In marble. What an awful thing the stage is ! 
 Of Thespian Bards yon Alpha and Omega, 
 From mighty Shakespeare down to Lope de Vega ; 
 Each shakes his awful curls, and seems to say, — 
 ** Surely the author means to damn his play ; 
 What ! send an Actress out, the town t* implore. 
 Who never spoke an Epilogue before ! . 
 Olivia for Evadne, — mighty clever I 
 Woman for woman I that is new, however !" 
 
 Peace, ye monopolists, on marble shelves. 
 You want to damn all statues but yourselves. 
 Avaunt ! " I Ve caught the Speaker's eye" before ye. 
 Rear-rank, Attention ! while I tell a story. 
 Pygmalion once, to ape the Turner's trade, 
 With curious labour carved an ivory maid, 
 But as immortal grace each limb unfolds. 
 He glows with passion for the maid he moulds. 
 
EPILOGUE. 
 
 And cries, (how vain were artists e'en in Greece) 
 <* Come ! that 's a statue ! that 's art's masterpiece!" 
 Long he adores her with a lover's mien. 
 And thus, at length, petitions Beauty's Queen ; 
 ** Oh, Venus, bid me taste of Hymen's bliss, 
 " And « bone of my bone' makeyon ivory Miss ! 
 ** Hush ! foolish youth !" (aside thus Momus sung) 
 " Leave well alone ! a statue has no tongue !" 
 Vain was the hint ; the silliest of the Greeks 
 Repeats his vow, and gains the boon he seeks. 
 The statue woke to life, with eager spring 
 Pygmalion changed his chisel for a ring ; 
 And as no parent lived to thwart his plans. 
 Of course no cross papa forbade the banns. 
 
 From that time forth, unwarmed by lover's breath. 
 Statues, or bone, or stone, have slept in death. 
 But if to-night, you bid Evadne thrive. 
 We hope to see the miracle revive. 
 To Beauty's Queen the Grecian poured his vow. 
 Our Poet bends to Beauty's daughters now ; 
 Oh ! may they waken his dramatic wife. 
 And, smiling, warm his statue into life ! 
 
 Printed bjf W. CLOWES, Northumberland<ourt, Strand, London. 
 
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