The Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in Tragedy | Page 4

dagger home, And "Victory!" be your shriek of death:--nor then Shall discord rest appeased; the very flame That lights your funeral pyre shall tower dissevered In ruddy columns to the skies, and tell With horrid image--"thus they lived and died!"
[She goes away; the BROTHERS stand as before.
Chorus (CAJETAN).
How have her words with soft control Resistless calmed the tempest of my soul! No guilt of kindred blood be mine! Thus with uplifted hands I prey; Think, brothers, on the awful day, And tremble at the wrath divine!
DON CAESAR (without taking his eyes from the ground). Thou art my elder--speak--without dishonor I yield to thee.
DON MANUEL. One gracious word, an instant, My tongue is rival in the strife of love!
DON CAESAR. I am the guiltier--weaker----
DON MANUEL. Say not so! Who doubts thy noble heart, knows thee not well; The words were prouder, if thy soul were mean.
DON CAESAR. It burns indignant at the thought of wrong-- But thou--methinks--in passion's fiercest mood, 'Twas aught but scorn that harbored in thy breast.
DON MANUEL. Oh! had I known thy spirit thus to peace Inclined, what thousand griefs had never torn A mother's heart!
DON CAESAR. I find thee just and true: Men spoke thee proud of soul.
DON MANUEL. The curse of greatness! Ears ever open to the babbler's tale.
DON CAESAR. Thou art too proud to meanness--I to falsehood!
DON MANUEL. We are deceived, betrayed!
DON CAESAR. The sport of frenzy! DON MANUEL. And said my mother true, false is the world?
DON CAESAR. Believe her, false as air.
DON MANUEL. Give me thy hand!
DON CAESAR. And thine be ever next my heart!
[They stand clasping each other's hands, and regard each other in silence.
DON MANUEL. I gaze Upon thy brow, and still behold my mother In some dear lineament.
DON CAESAR. Her image looks From thine, and wondrous in my bosom wakes Affection's springs.
DON MANUEL. And is it thou?--that smile Benignant on thy face?--thy lips that charm With gracious sounds of love and dear forgiveness?
DON CAESAR. Is this my brother, this the hated foe? His mien all gentleness and truth, his voice, Whose soft prevailing accents breathe of friendship!
[After a pause.
DON MANUEL. Shall aught divide us?
DON CAESAR. We are one forever!
[They rush into each other's arms.
First CHORUS (to the Second).
Why stand we thus, and coldly gaze, While Nature's holy transports burn? No dear embrace of happier days The pledge--that discord never shall return! Brothers are they by kindred band; We own the ties of home and native land.
[Both CHORUSES embrace.
A MESSENGER enters.
Second CHORUS to DON CAESAR (BOHEMUND). Rejoice, my prince, thy messenger returns And mark that beaming smile! the harbinger Of happy tidings.
MESSENGER. Health to me, and health To this delivered state! Oh sight of bliss, That lights mine eyes with rapture! I behold Their hands in sweet accord entwined; the sons Of my departed lord, the princely pair Dissevered late by conflict's hottest rage.
DON CAESAR. Yes, from the flames of hate, a new-born Phoenix, Our love aspires!
MESSENGER. I bring another joy; My staff is green with flourishing shoots.
DON CAESAR (taking him aside). Oh, tell me Thy gladsome message.
MESSENGER. All is happiness On this auspicious day; long sought, the lost one Is found.
DON CAESAR. Discovered! Oh, where is she? Speak!
MESSENGER. Within Messina's walls she lies concealed.
DON MANUEL (turning to the First SEMI-CHORUS). A ruddy glow mounts in my brother's cheek, And pleasure dances in his sparkling eye; Whate'er the spring, with sympathy of love My inmost heart partakes his joy.
DON CAESAR (to the MESSENGER). Come, lead me; Farewell, Don Manuel; to meet again Enfolded in a mother's arms! I fly To cares of utmost need.
[He is about to depart.
DON MANUEL. Make no delay; And happiness attend thee!
DON CAESAR (after a pause of reflection, he returns). How thy looks Awake my soul to transport! Yes, my brother, We shall be friends indeed! This hour is bright With glad presage of ever-springing love, That in the enlivening beam shall flourish fair, Sweet recompense of wasted years!
DON MANUEL. The blossom Betokens goodly fruit.
DON CAESAR. I tear myself Reluctant from thy arms, but think not less If thus I break this festal hour--my heart Thrills with a holy joy.
DON MANUEL (with manifest absence of mind). Obey the moment! Our lives belong to love.
DON CESAR. What calls me hence----
DON MANUEL. Enough! thou leav'st thy heart.
DON CAESAR. No envious secret Shall part us long; soon the last darkening fold Shall vanish from my breast.
[Turning to the CHORUS.
Attend! Forever Stilled is our strife; he is my deadliest foe, Detested as the gates of hell, who dares To blow the fires of discord; none may hope To win my love, that with malicious tales Encroach upon a brother's ear, and point With busy zeal of false, officious friendship. The dart of some rash, angry word, escaped From passion's heat; it wounds not from the lips, But, swallowed by suspicion's greedy