Page:Representative American plays.pdf/156

Rh IsA. Heaven !

Rav. D' ye hesitate ! you dare not answer nay.

For here are witnesses to your confu- sion,

Who saw you clasp her in your vile em- brace,

And heard her shrieks for help. Nay, here 's the maiden,

Who will herself aver it.

Mary.

Father, father !

Rav. Come forth, my child.

[Attempting to lead her forward.)

Charles. Forbear ! it shall not need.

Rav. Do you confess *?

Charles. What e'er you will.

ISA. 'T is past.

(Mary faints in the arms of Alice.)

Rav. Hear ye tliis, Judges ! People, hear

ye this? {Storm commences.)

And why do we delay! His doom were

death, Disdaining as he has to make his plea To the charge of sorcery. Now, his full

confession. Which ye have heard, dooms him a second time. {Storm increases; Thunder and Light- ning. ) Then why do ye delay *? The angry

Heavens — Hark, how they chide in thunder ! Mark their lightnings. {The storm rages; the Judges rise; all is confusion; the people and two offi- cers gather around Charles; officers seize him.) ISA. Save him! Heaven! As ye are

men, have mercy! Rav. No; not beneath this roof: among the tombs. Under the fury of the madden'd sky; Fit time and place ! Charles. {As they are dragging him out.)

Mary ; my mother ! Mary ! IsA. My son !

{Leans nearly fainting in Lucy's arms.) Mary. {Reviving.) Who calls me'?

Ah! What would ye do'? He 's innocent — he 's mj'- betroth'd — my

husband ! He came with m^y consent — he 's inno- cent ! Rav. Listen not to her ; 't is his hellish magic Speaks in her voice — away! Mary. Charles, my Charles! —

{She faints.)

{They bear Charles out. The storm continues.) Rav. It is accomplish'd.

{Enter the Unknown.)

Unk. What? what is accomplish'd'?

Rav. Who 'rt thou that ask'st ? Unk. Nay, answer me. They tell

Of dreadful deeds ye are performing

here. — How 's this ! Has death been here among you"? Rav. Yes,

Whatever thou may 'st be, death has been

here Guided by Heaven's vengeance. Unk. Who is this*?

'T is she, 't is she ! Dost know me, Isa- bella'? IsA. Is it not — •?

Unk. 'Tis thy father.

IsA. Father, father!

Have I then found thee! But my son! my son ! Unk. Unhappy child, be calm — I know thy story. And do forgive and bless thee. ISA. Thanks, my father. —

{Struggling to speak.) But— Unk. What means this'? IsA. 0, for a moment's strength —

Haste — haste — they murder him^— my son — Unk. Thy son,

0, where? IsA. There — there — Heaven ! it is too late! {They enter with a Bier, carrying Charles. The Unknown leads Isabella slowly towards it.)

{Enter Sir Reginald.)

Sir R. fatal tardiness! and yet I came The instant that I learned it. Bloody

monsters ! How will ye answer this*? Behold these

papers. They're from the king! They bid me

seek a lady, Nam'd Isabella, whom he espoused in

secret And her son Charles Fitzroy — And is it

thus —

{Enter George Egerton, pale and weak.)

George, look there! George. 0, brave, unhappy youth !