Dramas (Baillie)/The Separation/Act 5

by Joanna Baillie

ACT V.

SCENE I.—The outer Court of the Castle. Hermit, Pilgrim, and several Mendicants, discovered standing round the Gateway at the bottom of the Stage.

Enter, on the front, Ludoviquo, Gauvino, and Gomez.

GAUVINO.

The rumour of our lady's bounteous alms

Spread o'er the country quickly; every morning
Adds to the number of those mendicants,—
Those slothful pests, who thus beset our gates.

LUDOVIQUO.

Rail not so bitterly; there are, thou seest,

The sick and maim'd and truly miserable,
Although some idle vagrants with the crowd
Have enter'd cunningly. Dost thou not see
Our Hermit is amongst them?

GAUVINO.

What, comes he too a-begging? Shame upon him!

His cot is stored with every dainty thing
Our peasant housewives rear, poor simple souls!
And prowls he here for more?

GOMEZ.

He never came before.

LUDOVIQUO.

Ay, and belike

He rather comes to give than to receive.

GAUVINO.

And what hath he to give? God mend thy wit!

A broken rosary?

LUDOVIQUO.

A good man's blessing.

GAUVINO.

Poo, poo! what folks are wont to sell at home,

They will not go abroad to give for nothing.

GOMEZ.

And see yon aged Pilgrim by his side,

How spent and spare he seems!

GAUVINO.

Hovels, and caves, and lazar-houses soon

Will pour their pests upon us.

LUDOVIQUO.

Hush, man! thou art a surly heartless churl!

Yonder the lady comes.

Enter Countess.

MENDICANTS (advancing, and all speaking at once as she enters.)

Blessings upon your head, most noble Lady!

COUNTESS.

I thank you all! Have they been careful of you?

MENDICANTS.

Ay, bless you! they have served us bountifully.

COUNTESS.

But wherefore stand ye here? Retire within,

Where ye may sit at ease and eat your morsel.
Good Pilgrim, thou art weary, and lack'st rest;
I fear the hardships of thy wand'ring life
Have blanch'd thy scanty locks more than thine years.

PILGRIM.

No, gentle Lady: Heaven provides for me.

When ev'ning closes, still some shelt'ring cave,
Or peasant's cot, or goatherd's shed is near;
And, should the night in desert parts o'ertake me,
It pleases me to think the beating blast
Has its commission, by rough discipline
To profit me withal.

COUNTESS.

The beating blasts have well fulfill'd on thee

Their high commission.
But, oh! exceed not! Wander forth no more.
If thou hast home, or wife, or child, or aught
Of human kind that loves thee, O return!
Return to them, and end thy days in peace.
Didst thou but know the misery of those

Who hear the night-blast rock their walls, and think
The head to them most dear may be unshelter'd,
Thou couldst not be so cruel——
(Turning round.) Who 'twitch'd my robe?

LUDOVIQUO.

It was our holy Hermit,

Who press'd, ev'n now, its border to his lips,
Then shrunk aside.

COUNTESS.

But how is this? He hurries fast away.

LUDOVIQUO.

He is a bashful man, whose hooded face

On woman never looks.

COUNTESS.

Has he some vow upon him?

LUDOVIQUO.

'T is like he may; but he will pray for you.

COUNTESS.

And good men's prayers prevail, I do believe.

LUDOVIQUO.

Ay, Madam, all the peasants round, I trow,

Set by his prayers great store. Ev'n mothers leave
The very cradles of their dying infants
To beg them. Wives, whose husbands are at sea,

Or absent, or in any jeopardy,
Hie to his cell to crave his intercession.

COUNTESS.

Do they? Most blessed man!—

(Beckoning to the Hermit, who stands aloof.)
I have words for thine ear; approach, I pray.
(Leading him apart, on the front of the Stage.)
The absent and in jeopardy by thee
Remember'd are, and Heaven receives thy prayers:
Then, oh! remember one, who for himself,
Depress'd, discouraged, may not to God's throne
Meet supplication make!
(Taking him further apart, and in a lower voice.)
There is a lonely wand'rer in the world
Of whom thou wottest. When the vespers sweet
And ev'ning orisons of holy men
Sound through the air, and in his humble cot,
With all his family round, th' unlearned hind
Lifts up his soul to Heaven, when ev'n the babe,
Tutor'd to goodness, by its mother kneels
To lisp some holy word,—on the cold ground,
Uncheer'd of earthly thing, he'll lay him down
Unblest, I fear, and silent. Such a one
Thou wottest of, good Father; pray for him.—
How's this? thou'rt greatly moved, and dost not answer.
Have I requested what thou may'st not grant?

Heaven hath not cast him off. O do not think it!
The heart that loved him hath not cast him off,
And do not thou. Pray for him: God will hear thee.
(He retires from her; she still following him.)
I do entreat, I do beseech thee, Father!
I saw thy big tears glancing as they fell,
Though shrouded be thy face. Wilt thou not speak?

HERMIT (in a disguised voice).

I will obey thee. Lady.

COUNTESS (to herself).

He hath a strange, mistuned, and hollow voice,

For one of so much sympathy.
(Alarm bell without.)
Ha! the alarm! What may it be? Ho! Pietro.

Enter Pietro, in haste.

PIETRO.

Haste, shut the castle gates, and with all speed

Muster our strength,—there is no time to lose.
Madam, give orders quickly. Where's Rovani?

COUNTESS.

What is the matter? Why this loud alarm?

PIETRO.

The Marquis of Tortona, not far distant,

With hasty march approaches, as I guess
Three thousand strong.

(Alarm rings again, and enter Rovani, Gonzalos and others, from different sides).

COUNTESS.

Heaven be our trust!—Hearest thou this, Rovani?

ROVANI.

I've heard the larum bell and strange confusion.

COUNTESS.

Tortona with his hostile force approaches——

(To Pietro.) Tell it thyself; saidst thou three thousand strong?

PIETRO.

Yes, Madam, so I did compute his numbers;

And with him, too, one of those horrid engines
So lately known, which from its roaring mouth
Sends horrible destruction.—
Not two leagues off I met him in array
Skirting the forest; and through dell and stream,
Fast as my feet could bear me, I have run
To give you notice.

COUNTESS.

Heaven aid the weak! I fear our slender force

Will be as nothing 'gainst such fearful odds.
What thinkest thou, Rovani? for on thee
Our fate depends.

ROVANI.

Fear not, my noble Mistress!

I will defend you. In your service bold,
Each of your men will ten men's strength possess.
Withdraw then, I entreat you, to your tower,
And these good folks dismiss.
(Pointing to the Mendicants that still remain.)

[Exeunt Countess and all the Mendicants except the Hermit, who retires to a corner of the Stage.

GONZALOS (advancing to Rovani on the front).

Rovani, be thou bold, yet be not rash.

I warn'd thee well of this; but let that pass:
Only be wiser now. There is a leader
Of bold condotieri, not far distant,
Send to him instantly: there may be time.

ROVANI.

I will not: we can well defend these walls

'Gainst greater odds; and I could swear that coward
Has number'd, in his fright, Tortona's soldiers
Threefold beyond the truth. Go to thy duty:
Muster the men within, while I, meantime,
From place to place all needful orders give.

[Exeunt Gonzalos and Rovani severally, while many people cross the Stage in hurry and confusion, Rovani calling to them sometimes on one side, sometimes on another, as he goes off.

GOMEZ (to Ludoviquo, following Rovani with his eye).

A brave man this, and gives his orders promptly.

LUDOVIQUO.

Ay; brave enough, but rash. Alack the day!

Would that our valiant lord were here himself,
His own fair dame and castle to defend.
Alas! that evil deed ere stain'd his hand,—
If this was so; we'll see his like no more.

HERMIT (going close to Ludoviquo).

Fear not, good man, who lov'st thy hapless Lord;

Give me thine ear. (Whispers to him.)

LUDOVIQUO (aside to Hermit).

Conceal thee in that tower.

HERMIT.

Hush, hush! and come with me: I will convince thee

That what I ask is for thy lady's good.

[Exeunt Hermit, leading off Ludoviquo from Gomez.

SCENE II.

The Great Hall of the Castle.

Enter the Countess, meeting Sophera; a confused noise heard without, and a discharge of cannon.

COUNTESS.

What saw'st thou from the turrets, for thy face

Looks pale and terrified? The din increases;
They have not made a breach?

SOPHERA.

I hope they have not; but that fearful engine

Is now against our weakest buttress pointed.
(Cannon heard again.)
It roars again; have mercy on us, Heaven!
How the walls shake, as if an earthquake rock'd them!

COUNTESS.

My child, my child! I'll to the lowest vaults

Convey him instantly.

SOPHERA.

But you forget th' attack is still directed

Against the eastern side; here he is safe.

COUNTESS.

And may th' Almighty ever keep him so!

(Cannon without.)

SOPHERA.

Again the horrible roar!

COUNTESS.

Our ruined walls are weak, our warriors few:

Should they effect a breach!—O Garcio, Garcio!
Where wand'rest thou, unblest, unhappy man,
Who hadst our safeguard been!

Enter Pietro.

Ha! bring'st thou tidings?

PIETRO.

Ay, and fearful tidings.

The foe have made a breach, and thro' the moat,
Now grown so shallow with the summer drought,
Have made their way.

COUNTESS.

Where does Rovani fight?

PIETRO.

He did fight in the breach most valiantly;

But now the foemen o'er his body pass,
For he is slain, and all, I fear, is lost.

COUNTESS.

It must not be: I'll to the walls myself;

My soldiers will with desperate courage fight,
When they behold their wretched mistress near.

SOPHERA (endeavouring to prevent her).

O, Madam, do not go!

Alas, alas! our miserable fate!

COUNTESS.

Restrain me not with senseless lamentations;

Driven to this desp'rate state, what is my choice?
For now I must be bold, or despicable.
[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Ramparts: Women discovered looking down from one of the lower Battlements of the Castle; the din and clashing of Arms heard without, as if close at hand; then Tortona and his Soldiers cross the Stage, fighting with the Soldiers of the Castle.

FIRST WOMAN.

See, there! see how our noble lady stands,

And bravely cheers them!

SECOND WOMAN.

If they have any soul or manhood in them,

They'll fight like raging lions for her sake.

GONZALOS (without).

Fie, fie! give way before your lady's eyes!

FIRST WOMAN.

Ay, brave Gonzalos, there right nobly strives;

But all in vain,—the enemy advance;
They gain the pass, and our base varlets yield.

(Voice without.)

Bear in the lady there; 'tis desperation!

(Second Voice without.)

Resistance now is vain; bear in the lady!

(Third Voice without.)

A miracle! a miracle!

FIRST WOMAN.

What is't? Why call they out a miracle?

SECOND WOMAN.

Hast thou not eyes to see? Upon our side

The Hermit combats, coiling round one arm
His twisted garments, whilst the other wields
A monst'rous brand, might grace a giant's grasp.
O brave! look how he fights! he doth not fight
Like mortal man: Heaven sends him to our aid.

FIRST WOMAN.

And see! there is another miracle!

See Ludoviquo fighting by his side!
Who could have thought our gentle seneschal
Had pith and soul enough to fight so bravely?

SECOND WOMAN.

See, see! the vile Tortonians stand aghast:

They turn, they fly!

(Loud shouts heard without, and re-enter Tortona and his party, pursued by the Soldiers of the castle, led on by the Hermit.)

HERMIT.

Turn, valiant chieftain! the most gen'rous foe

Of dames, whose lords are absent; turn, for shame!
Do not disgrace thy noble enterprise
With wounds received behind. Whate'er their cause,
Tortona's lords have still been soldiers. Turn,
Or be the scorn of every beardless boy,
Whose heart beats at the sound of warlike coil.
Thou canst not fear a man unhelm'd, unmail'd?

TORTONA.

No; if a man thou art, I fear thee not!

HERMIT.

Well, to it, then, and prove me flesh and blood.

TORTONA.

Whate'er thou art, I'll bear thy scorn no longer.

[Exeunt, fighting furiously.

SCENE IV.

The great Hall: a shouting heard without.

Enter Pietro, calling as he enters.

PIETRO.

Where is the Countess?

Enter Sophera, by the opposite side.

SOPHERA.

Thy voice calls gladly, dost thou bring good tidings?

PIETRO.

I do; but stop me not! Where is the Countess?

Enter Countess in haste.

COUNTESS.

What joyful shouts were those? My soldiers' voices!

Some happy chance has changed the fate of battle.

PIETRO.

Ay, changed most happily.

COUNTESS.

And Heaven be praised!

How has it been, good Pietro? Tell me quickly.

PIETRO.

When we were panic-struck, reft of our wits,

Treading, like senseless sheep, each other down,
Heaven sent us aid.

COUNTESS.

And be its goodness praised!

So near the verge of merciless destruction,
What blessed aid was sent?

PIETRO.

By our fierce enemy, as I have said,

So sorely press'd, a powerful voice was heard
Calling our courage back; and on the sudden,
As if the yawning earth had sent it up,
A noble form, clad in the Hermit's weeds,
But fighting with such fury irresistible
As armed warrior, no, nor mortal man
Did ever fight, upon our side appear'd,
Inspiring us with valour. Instantly,
We turn'd again on our astonish'd foe,
Who fled to gain the breach by which they enter'd.
Few have escaped; and by our noble Hermit
Tortona's lord is slain,

COUNTESS (After looking up to heaven in silent adoration).

That mighty Arm which still protects the innocent,

Weak woman, helpless infancy, and all

Bereft and desolate, hath fought for us!
But he, the blessed agent of its power,
Our brave deliverer, lead me to him instantly!
Where is the marv'llous man?

PIETRO.

I left him, Madam, on the eastern rampart,

Just as Tortona fell.—See Ludoviquo,
Who still fought nearest to him; he'll inform you.

Enter Ludoviquo.

COUNTESS.

Brave Ludoviquo!—But that woeful look,

In such a moment of unhoped-for triumph!
Is the brave being safe who hath preserved us?

LUDOVIQUO.

Alas! e'en as we shouted at the fall

Of proud Tortona, conquer'd by his arm;
E'en as he stoop'd to sooth his dying foe,
The hateful catiff drew a hidden dagger
And plunged it in his breast.

COUNTESS.

Alas, alas! and is his life the forfeit

Of his most gen'rous aid!
O lead me to him! let me thank and bless him,
If yet his noble mind be sensible
To words of gratitude.

LUDOVIQUO.

They bring him hither. He himself desired

That they should bear him to your presence. See!
With sad slow steps they come.

Enter Soldiers hearing the Hermit on a low bier, and set him down near the front of the Stage. The Countess stands in woeful silence till he is placed, then throws herself at his feet, embracing them.

COUNTESS.

Devoted, generous man! Heaven's blessed minister!

Who hast, to save us from impending ruin,
Thy life so nobly sacrificed; receive,—
While yet thy soul hath taste of earthly things,—
Receive my thanks, my tears, my love, my blessing;
The yearning admiration of a heart
Most grateful! Generous man, whoe'er thou art,
Thy deeds have made thee blood and kindred to me.
O that my prayers and tears could move thy God,
Who sent such aid, to spare thy precious life!

HERMIT (uncovering his head, and discovering the face of Garcio).

Margaret!

COUNTESS.

My Garcio! (Throwing her arms round him for some time, then raising herself from the bier, and wringing her hands in an agony of grief.)

This is my wretched work! Heaven was his judge,

Yet I, with cruel unrelenting sternness,
Have push'd him on his fate. O Garcio, Garcio!

GARCIO.

Do not upbraid thyself: thou hast done well;

For no repentance e'er could make me worthy
To live with thee, though it has made me worthy
To die for thee.

COUNTESS.

My dear and generous Garcio!

Alas, alas!

GARCIO.

O calm that frantic grief!

For had my life been spared, my dearest Margaret,
A wand'ring banish'd wretch I must have been,
Lonely and sad: but now, forgiven by thee,—
For so my heart assures me that I am,—
To breathe my parting spirit in thy presence,
For one who has so heavily offended,
Is a most happy end. It is so happy
That I have faith to think my deep contrition

Is by my God and Judge accepted now,
Instead of years of wretchedness and penance.
Be satisfied and cheer'd, my dearest wife!
Heaven deals with me in mercy.
Where is thy hand? Farewell, a long farewell!

SOPHERA.

See, he revives, and strives to speak again.

GARCIO.

Could I but live till I have seen my child!

It may not be: the gripe of death is here.
Give him my dying love. (Dies.)
[Curtain drops.