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

The Bride of Messina, by
Frederich Schiller

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Title: The Bride of Messina A Tragedy
Author: Frederich Schiller
Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6793]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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BRIDE OF MESSINA ***

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THE BRIDE OF MESSINA
AND
ON THE USE OF THE CHORUS IN TRAGEDY.

By Frederich Schiller
Translated by A. Lodge

THE BRIDE OF MESSINA
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
ISABELLA, Princess of Messina. DON MANUEL | her Sons. DON
CAESAR | BEATRICE. DIEGO, an ancient Servant. MESSENGERS.
THE ELDERS OF MESSINA, mute. THE CHORUS, consisting of the
Followers of the two Princes.

SCENE I.
A spacious hall, supported on columns, with entrances on both sides; at
the back of the stage a large folding-door leading to a chapel.
DONNA ISABELLA in mourning; the ELDERS OF MESSINA.
ISABELLA. Forth from my silent chamber's deep recesses, Gray
Fathers of the State, unwillingly I come; and, shrinking from your gaze,
uplift The veil that shades my widowed brows: the light And glory of
my days is fled forever! And best in solitude and kindred gloom To
hide these sable weeds, this grief-worn frame, Beseems the mourner's
heart. A mighty voice Inexorable--duty's stern command, Calls me to
light again. Not twice the moon Has filled her orb since to the tomb ye
bore My princely spouse, your city's lord, whose arm Against a world
of envious foes around Hurled fierce defiance! Still his spirit lives In
his heroic sons, their country's pride: Ye marked how sweetly from
their childhood's bloom They grew in joyous promise to the years Of
manhood's strength; yet in their secret hearts, From some mysterious
root accursed, upsprung Unmitigable, deadly hate, that spurned All
kindred ties, all youthful, fond affections, Still ripening with their
thoughtful age; not mine The sweet accord of family bliss; though each

Awoke a mother's rapture; each alike Smiled at my nourishing breast!
for me alone Yet lives one mutual thought, of children's love; In these
tempestuous souls discovered else By mortal strife and thirst of fierce
revenge.
While yet their father reigned, his stern control Tamed their hot spirits,
and with iron yoke To awful justice bowed their stubborn will:
Obedient to his voice, to outward seeming They calmed their wrathful
mood, nor in array Ere met, of hostile arms; yet unappeased Sat
brooding malice in their bosoms' depths; They little reek of hidden
springs whose power Can quell the torrent's fury: scarce their sire In
death had closed his eyes, when, as the spark That long in smouldering
embers sullen lay, Shoots forth a towering flame; so unconfined Burst
the wild storm of brothers' hate triumphant O'er nature's holiest bands.
Ye saw, my friends, Your country's bleeding wounds, when princely
strife Woke discord's maddening fires, and ranged her sons In mutual
deadly conflict; all around Was heard the clash of arms, the din of
carnage, And e'en these halls were stained with kindred gore.
Torn was the state with civil rage, this heart With pangs that mothers
feel; alas, unmindful Of aught but public woes, and pitiless You sought
my widow's chamber--there with taunts And fierce reproaches for your
country's ills From that polluted spring of brother's hate Derived,
invoked a parent's warning voice, And threatening told of people's
discontent And princes' crimes! "Ill-fated land! now wasted By thy
unnatural sons, ere long the prey Of foeman's sword! Oh, haste," you
cried, "and end This strife! bring peace again, or soon Messina Shall
bow to other lords." Your stern decree Prevailed; this heart, with all a
mother's anguish O'erlabored, owned the weight of public cares. I flew,
and at my children's feet, distracted, A suppliant lay; till to my prayers
and tears The voice of nature answered in their breasts!
Here in the palace of their sires, unarmed, In peaceful guise Messina
shall behold The long inveterate foes; this is the day! E'en now I wait
the messenger that brings The tidings of my sons' approach: be ready
To give your princes joyful welcome home With reverence such as
vassals may beseem. Bethink ye to fulfil your subject duties, And leave

to better wisdom weightier cares. Dire was their strife to them, and to
the State Fruitful of ills; yet, in this happy bond Of peace united, know
that they are mighty To stand against a world in arms, nor less Enforce
their sovereign will against yourselves.
[The ELDERS retire