Page:Felicia Hemans in The Court Magazine Volume IV 1834.pdf/8

 MATILDA. Treason? He A traitor?—Oh! my father! ANTONIETTA. Haste! proceed, And pause no more. Our hearts are nerved for all. Say, what shall be his sentence? GONZAGO. From my lips It shall not be revealed. ANTONIETTA. Oh! he is slain! GONZAGO. He lives, but yet his doom is fixed. ANTONIETTA. He lives! Weep not, my daughter! 'tis the time to act. For pity's sake, Gonzago, be thou not Wearied of our afflictions. Heaven to thee Intrusts the care of two forsaken ones; He was thy friend—Ah! haste, then, be our guide, Conduct us to his judges. Come, my child, Poor innocent, come with me. There yet is left Mercy upon the earth. Yes! they themselves Are husbands, they are fathers! When they signed The fearful sentence, they remembered not He was a father, and a husband too. But when their eyes behold the agony One word of theirs hath caused, their hearts will melt; They will, they must revoke it. Oh! the sight Of mortal woe is terrible to man! Perhaps the warrior's lofty soul disdained To vindicate his deeds, or to recal His trinmphs, won for them. It is for us To wake each high remembrance. Ah! we know That he implored not; but our knees shall bend, And we will pray. GONZAGO. Oh Heaven! that I could leave Your hearts one ray of hope! There is no ear, No place for prayers. The judges here are deaf, Implacable, unknown. The thunderbolt Falls heavy, and the hand by which 'tis launched Is veiled in clouds. There is one comfort still, The sole sad comfort of a parting hour, I come to bear. Ye may behold him yet. The moments fly. Arouse your strength of heart. Oh! fearful is the trial, but the God Of mourners will be with you. MATILDA. Is there not One hope? ANTONIETTA. Alas! my child![Exeunt.