Page:The Vespers of Palermo.pdf/31



Whose love is with the dead. They, they alone, Unmadden'd could sustain the fearful joy And glory of its trances!—at the hour Which makes guilt tremulous, and peoples earth And air with infinite, viewless multitudes, I will be with thee, Procida.

Thy presence Will kindle nobler thoughts, and, in the souls Of suffering and indignant men, arouse That which may strengthen our majestic cause With yet a deeper power.—Know'st thou the spot?

Full well. There is no scene so wild and lone In these dim woods, but I have visited Its tangled shades.

At midnight then we meet. [Exit Procida.

Why should I fear?—Thou wilt be with me,—thou, Th' immortal dream and shadow of my soul, Spirit of him I love! that meet'st me still In loneliness and silence; in the noon Of the wild night, and in the forest-depths, Known but to me; for whom thou giv'st the winds And sighing leaves a cadence of thy voice, Till my heart faints with that o'erthrilling joy! Thou wilt be with me there, and lend my lips Words, fiery words, to flush dark cheeks with shame, That thou art unavenged! [Exit Vittoria.