The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
MARINELLI.
Why this gloomy supposition? "Forward!" shouts the victor, and asks not who falls near him--friend or foe. Yet if the old churl should act as you fear, prince--(_After some consideration_) I have it. His wish shall prove the end of his success. I'll mar his plan. But we must not lose sight of him. (_Walks again to the window_.) He had almost surprised us. He comes. Let us withdraw awhile, and in the meanwhile, Prince, you shall hear how we can elude the evil you apprehend.
PRINCE (_in a threatening tone_).
But, Marinelli----
MARINELLI.
The most innocent thing in the world. (_Exeunt_.)
Scene II.
ODOARDO.
Still no one here? 'Tis well. They allow me time to get still cooler. A lucky chance. Nothing is more unseemly than a h.o.a.ry-headed man transported with the rage of youth. So I have often thought, yet I have suffered myself to be aroused----by whom? By a woman whom jealousy had driven to distraction. What has injured virtue to do with the revenge of vice? I have but to save the former. And thy cause, my son--my son----I could never weep, and will not learn the lesson now. There is another, who will avenge thy cause. Sufficient for me that thy murderer shall not enjoy the fruit of his crime. May this torment him more than even the crime itself; and when at length loathsome satiety shall drive him from one excess to another, may the recollection of having failed in this poison the enjoyment of all! In every dream may the bride appear to him, led to his bedside by the murdered bridegroom; and when, in spite of this, he stretches forth his sinful arms to seize the prize, may he suddenly hear the derisive laughter of h.e.l.l echo in his ears, and so awake.
Scene III.
Marinelli, Odoardo.
MARINELLI.
We have been looking for you, Sir.
ODOARDO.
Has my daughter been here?
MARINELLI.
No; the Prince.
ODOARDO.
I beg his pardon. I have been conducting the Countess to her carriage.
MARINELLI.
Indeed.
ODOARDO.
A good lady!
MARINELLI.
And where is your lady?
ODOARDO.
She accompanied the Countess that she might send my carriage hither. I would request the Prince to let me stay with my daughter till it arrives.
MARINELLI.
Why this ceremony? The Prince would have felt pleasure in conducting your daughter and her mother to town.
ODOARDO.
My daughter at least would have been obliged to decline that honour.
MARINELLI.
Why so?
ODOARDO.
She will not go to Guastalla again.
MARINELLI.
Indeed! Why not?
ODOARDO.
Count Appiani is dead.
MARINELLI.
For that very reason----
ODOARDO.
She must go with me.
MARINELLI.
With you?
ODOARDO.
With me.--I tell you the Count is dead--though she may not know it.
What therefore has she to do in Guastalla? She must go with me.
MARINELLI.
The future residence of the lady must certainly depend upon her father--but at present----
