The Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in Tragedy - LightNovelsOnl.com
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CAJETAN.
Seest thou not Thy presence irks?
BOHEMUND.
Thou hast it, then, the longer!
CAJETAN.
My place is here! What arm repels me?
BOHEMUND, Mine!
CAJETAN.
Don Manuel sent me hither.
BOHEMUND.
I obey My Lord Don Caesar.
CAJETAN.
To the eldest born Thy master reverence owes.
BOHEMUND.
The world belongs To him that wins!
CAJETAN.
Unmannered knave, give place!
BOHEMUND.
Our swords be measured first!
CAJETAN.
I find thee ever A serpent in my path.
BOHEMUND.
Where'er I list Thus will I meet thee!
CAJETAN.
Say, why cam'st thou hither To spy?----
BOHEMUND.
And thou to question and command?
CAJETAN.
To parley I disdain!
BOHEMUND.
Too much I grace thee By words!
CAJETAN.
Thy hot, impetuous youth should bow To reverend age.
BOHEMUND.
Older thou art--not braver.
BEATRICE (rus.h.i.+ng from her place of concealment).
Alas! What mean these warlike men?
CAJETAN (to BOHEMUND).
I heed not Thy threats and lofty mien.
BOHEMUND.
I serve a master Better than thine.
BEATRICE.
Alas! Should he appear!
CAJETAN.
Thou liest! Don Manuel thousandfold excels.
BOHEMUND.
In every strife the wreath of victory decks Don Caesar's brows!
BEATRICE.
Now he will come! Already The hour is past!
CAJETAN.
'Tis peace, or thou shouldst know My vengeance!
BOHEMUND.
Fear, not peace, thy arm refrains.
BEATRICE.
Oh! Were he thousand miles remote!
CAJETAN.
Thy looks But move my scorn; the compact I obey.
BOHEMUND.
The coward's ready s.h.i.+eld!
CAJETAN.
Come on! I follow.
BOHEMUND.
To arms!
BEATRICE (in the greatest agitation).
Their falchions gleam--the strife begins!
Ye heavenly powers, his steps refrain! Some snare Throw round his feet, that in this hour of dread He come not: all ye angels, late implored To give him to my arms, reverse my prayers; Far, far from hence convey the loved one!
[She runs into the alcove. At the moment when the two Choruses are about to engage, DON MANUEL appears.
