I have kill'd thee.

De Mon. Turn, turn thee not away! look on me still

praise,

And grovelling idiots grinn'd applauses on him;
O! then I could no longer suffer it!

It drove me frantic.-What! what would I give!
What would I give to crush the bloated toad,
So rankly do I loathe him!

Jane. And would thy hatred crush the very man
Who gave to thee that life he might have ta'en ?
That life which thou so rashly didst expose
To aim at his ? O! this is horrible!

De Mon. Ha! thou hast heard it, then? From all the world,

But most of all from thee, I thought it hid.

Jane. I heard a secret whisper, and resolved Upon the instant to return to thee.

Didst thou receive my letter?

De Mon. I did! I did! 'twas that which drove me hither.

I could not bear to meet thine eye again.

Jane. Alas! that, tempted by a sister's tears, I ever left thy house! These few past months, These absent months, have brought us all this wo. Had I remain'd with thee it had not been. And yet, methinks, it should not move you thus. You dared him to the field; both bravely fought; He, more adroit, disarm'd you; courteously Return'd the forfeit sword, which, so return'd, You did refuse to use against him more; And then, as says report, you parted friends.

De Mon. When he disarm'd this cursed, this worthless hand

Of its most worthless weapon, he but spared
From devilish pride, which now derives a bliss
In seeing me thus fetter'd, shamed, subjected
With the vile favour of his poor forbearance;
Whilst he securely sits with gibing brow,
And basely bates me like a muzzled cur
Who cannot turn again.-

Until that day, till that accursed day,

I knew not half the torment of this hell, Which burns within my breast. Heaven's lightnings blast him!

Jane. O this is horrible! Forbear, forbear! Lest Heaven's vengeance light upon thy head, For this most impious wish.

De Mon. Then let it light. Torments more fell than I have felt already It cannot send. To be annihilated, What all men shrink from; to be dust, be nothing, Were bliss to me, compared to what I am!

Jane. O wouldst thou kill me with these dreadful words?

Look on me yet again.

In better days, wert wont to be my pride. De Mon. I am a wretch, most wretched in my. self,

And still more wretched in the pain I give. | O curse that villain! that detested villain! He has spread misery o'er my fated life: He will undo us all.

Jane. I've held my warfare through a troubled
world,

And borne with steady mind my share of ill;
And then the helpmate of my toil wert thou.
But now the wane of life comes darkly on,
And hideous passion tears me from my heart,
Blasting thy worth.-I cannot strive with this.
De Mon. (affectionately.) What shall I do?
Jane.
Call up thy noble spirit;

Rouse all the generous energy of virtue;
And with the strength of heaven-endued man,
Repel the hideous foe. Be great; be valiant.
O, if thou couldst! e'en shrouded as thou art
In all the sad infirmities of nature,
What a most noble creature wouldst thou be!

De Mon. Ay, if I could: alas! alas! I cannot.
Jane. Thou canst, thou mayst, thou wilt.

We shall not part till I have turn'd thy soul.

Enter MANUEL.

De Mon. Ha! some one enters. Wherefore comest thou here?

Man. Count Freberg waits your leisure. De Mon. (angrily.) Be gone, be gone! I cannot see him now. [EXIT Manuel. Jane. Come to my closet; free from all intrusion, I'll school thee there; and thou again shalt be My willing pupil, and my generous friend, The noble Monfort I have loved so long, And must not, will not lose.

De Mon. Do as thou wilt; I will not grieve thee [EXEUNT.

more.

ACT III.

SCENE I.-COUNTESS FREBERG'S DRESSING-ROOM. Enter the COUNTESS dispirited and out of humour, and throws herself into a chair: enter, by the opposite side, THERESA.

Ther. Madam, I am afraid you are unwell: What is the matter? does your head ache? Lady. (peevishly.)

but once upon his ruin look,

Then close mine eyes for ever!

Jane in great distress, staggers back, and supports herself upon the side scene. De Mon. alarmed, runs up to her with a softened voice.)

Ha! how is this? thou'rt ill; thou'rt very pale. What have I done to thee? Alas, alas!

I meant not to distress thee.-O my sister!

With what concerns not thee.

Ther. Go you abroad to-night?

No,

Did I not overhear them say, last night,

As from the crowded ball-room ladies past, How gay and handsome, in her costly dress, The Countess Freberg look'd?

Lady.

If she o'erheard her own request neglected,
Until supported by a name more potent?

Freb. Think'st thou she is a fool, my good The

resa,

Ther. I did, and more than this.

Lady. Well, all are not so greatly prejudiced; All do not think me like a May-day queen, Which peasants deck in sport.

Ther.
And who said this?
Lady. (putting her handkerchief to her eyes.)
E'en my good lord, Theresa.

Ther. He said it but in jest. He loves you well.
Lady. I know as well as thou he loves me well.
But what of that! he takes in me no pride:
Elsewhere his praise and admiration go,
And Jane De Monfort is not mortal woman.
Ther. The wondrous character this lady bears
For worth and excellence: from early youth
The friend and mother of her younger sisters,
Now greatly married, as I have been told,
From her most prudent care, may well excuse
The admiration of so good a man

As my good master is. And then, dear madam,
I must confess, when I myself did hear

How she was come through the rough winter's storm,

To seek and comfort an unhappy brother,
My heart beat kindly to her.

Lady. Ay, ay, there is a charm in this I find:
But wherefore may she not have come as well
Through wintry storms to seek a lover, too?

Ther. No, madam, no, I could not think of this. Lady. That would reduce her in your eyes, mayhap,

To woman's level.-Now I see my vengeance!
I'll tell it round that she is hither come,
Under pretence of finding out De Monfort,

To meet with Rezenvelt. When Freberg hears it,
Twill help, I ween, to break his magic charm.
Ther. And say what is not, madam ?

That love and admiration often thrive
Though far apart?

Re-enter LADY, with great violence.
Lady. I am a fool, not to have seen full well,
That thy best pleasure in o'errating so
This lofty stranger is to humble me,
And cast a darkening shadow o'er my head.
Ay, wherefore dost thou stare upon me thus
Art thou ashamed that I have thus surprised thee?
Well mayst thou be so !

Freb.
True; thou rightly say'st.
Well may I be ashamed: not for the praise
Which I have ever openly bestowed

On Monfort's noble sister; but that thus,
Like a poor, mean, and jealous listener,
She should be found, who is Count Freberg's wife.
Lady. O, I am lost and ruin'd! hated, scorn'd!
(Pretending to faint.)

Freb. Alas, I've been too rough!

(Taking her hand and kissing it tenderly.) My gentle love! my own, my only love! See, she revives again. How art thou, love? Support her to her chamber, good Theresa, I'll sit and watch by her. I've been too rough.

[EXEUNT Lady, supported by Freb. and Ther.

SCENE II.-DE MONFORT DISCOVERED SITTING BY A TABLE READING. AFTER A LITTLE TIME, HE LAYS DOWN HIS BOOK, AND CONTINUES IN A THOUGHTFUL POSTURE.

Enter to him JANE DE MONFORT. Jane. Thanks, gentle brother

(Pointing to the book.)

what is not?

"Tis like enough I shall but speak the truth.

Ther. Ah no! there isLady. Well, hold thy foolish tongue. (Freberg's voice is heard without. After hesitating.)

I will not see him now.

Of

Enter FREBERG by the opposite side, passing on hastily.
Ther. Pardon, my lord; I fear you are in haste.
Yet must I crave that you will give to me
The books my lady mentioned to you: she
Has charged me to remind you.

Freb. I'm in haste.

Ther. Pray you, my lord: your countess wants

them much;

The Lady Jane De Monfort ask'd them of her. Freb. (returning instantly.) Are they for her? I knew not this before.

will, then, search them out immediately. There is naught good or precious in my keeping, That is not dearly honour'd by her use.

Ther. My lord, what would your gentle countess

say

Jane.
All, all, my brother!
It bids thee too that noble precept learn,
To love thine enemy.

De Mon. Th' uplifted stroke that would a wretch destroy,

Gorged with my richest spoil, stain'd with my blood,

I would arrest, and cry, "Hold! hold! have met cy."

But when the man most adverse to my nature

sting,

But hate his loathsome self.

Jane. And canst thou do no more for love of heaven?

De Mon. Alas! I cannot now so school my mind
As holy men have taught, nor search it truly:
But this, my Jane, I'll do for love of thee:
And more it is than crowns could win me to,
Or any power but thine. I'll see the man.
Th' indignant risings of abhorrent nature;
The stern contraction of my scowling brows,
That, like the plant whose closing leaves do shrink
At hostile touch, still knit at his approach;
The crooked curving lip, by instinct taught,
In imitation of disgustful things,

To pout and swell, I strictly will repress;
And meet him with a tamed countenance,
E'en as a townsman, who would live at peace,
And pay him the respect his station claims.
I'll crave his pardon too for all offence
My dark and wayward temper may have done.
Nay more, I will confess myself his debtor
For the forbearance I have cursed so oft:
Life spared by him, more horrid than the grave
With all its dark corruption! This I'll do.
Will it suffice thee? More than this I cannot.

Jane. No more than this do I require of thee
In outward act, though in thy heart, my friend,
I hoped a better change, and still will hope.
I told thee Freberg had proposed a meeting.
De Mon. I know it well.
Jane.

And Rezervelt consents.

He meets you here; so far he shows respect.

my worthy friend,

Give me your hand; this happy change delights

me.

(De Monfort gives him his hand coldly, and they walk to the bottom of the stage together, in earnest discourse, whilst Jane and the Countess remain in the front.)

Lady. My dearest madam, will you pardon me? I know Count Freberg's business with De Monfort, And had a strong desire to visit you,

So much I wish the honour of your friendship;
For he retains no secret from mine ear.
Jane. (archly.) Knowing your prudence-You
are welcome, madam;

So shall Count Freberg's lady ever be.
(De Monfort and Freberg, returning toward the

front of the stage, still engaged in discourse.)
Freb. He is indeed a man, within whose breast
Firm rectitude and honour hold their seat,
Though unadorned with that dignity
Which were their fittest garb. Now, on my life!
I know no truer heart than Rezen velt.
De Mon. Well, Freberg, well, there needs not
all this pains

To garnish out his worth: let it suffice;
I am resolved I will respect the man,
As his fair station and repute demand.
Methinks I see not at your jolly feasts
The youthful knight, who sung so pleasantly.
Freb. A pleasant circumstance detains him

hence;

better.

Jane. I'm glad to hear you say so, for, in truth, He has proposed for it an early hour. 'Tis almost near his time; I came to tell you. De Mon. What, comes he here so soon? shame on his speed!

It is not decent thus to rush upon me.
He loves the secret pleasure he will feel
To see me thus subdued.

Jane. O say not so! he comes with heart sincere.
De Mon. Could we not meet elsewhere? from

home-i' the fields,

Where other men-must I alone receive him?
Where is your agent, Freberg, and his friends,
That I must meet him here?

(Walks up and down very much disturbed.) Now didst thou say?-how goes the hour?-e'en now!

Yet must I tell it thee.

This knight is near akin to Rezervelt,
To whom an old relation, short while dead,
A good estate bequeathed, some leagues distant.
But Rezenvelt, now rich in fortune's store,
Disdain'd the sordid love of further gain,
And generously the rich bequest resign'd
To this young man, blood of the same degree
To the deceased, and low in fortune's gifts,
Who is from hence to take possession of it:
Was it not nobly done?

De Mon.
'Twas right and honourable.
This morning is oppressive, warm, and heavy:
There hangs a foggy closeness in the air;
Dost thou not feel it?

Freb. O no! to think upon a generous deed Expands my soul, and makes me lightly breathe. De Mon. Who gives the feast to-night? His

name escapes me.

Old Count Waterlan.

In honour of your townsman's generous gift He spreads the board.

De Mon. He is too old to revel with the gay.
Freb. But not too old is he to honour virtue.
I shall partake of it with open soul;
For, on my honest faith, of living men

I know not one, for talents, honour, worth,

That I should rank superior to Rezenvelt.

De Mon. How virtuous he hath been in three short days!

And every wish of yours commands my will. (To Countess.) Lady, good morning. (To Freb.) Well, my gentle friend,

You see I have not linger'd long behind.

Freb. No, thou art sooner than I look'd for thee. Rez. A willing heart adds feather to the heel, And makes the clown a winged Mercury.

De Mon. Then let me say, that with a grateful mind,

I do receive these tokens of good will;

rests

Upon the good report of other men,
And that has told me much.

(De Monfort aside, going some steps hastily from Freberg, and rending his cloak with agitation as he goes.)

Would he were come! by heaven I would he were!

This fool besets me so.

(Suddenly correcting himself, and joining the Ladies, who have retired to the bottom of the stage, he speaks to Countess Freberg with affected cheerfulness.)

The sprightly dames of Amberg rise by times,
Untarnish'd with the vigils of the night.

Lady. Praise us not rashly, 'tis not always so. De Mon. He does not rashly praise who praises you;

For he were dull indeed

Stopping short, as if he heard something.) Lady. How dull indeed? De Mon. I should have said-It has escaped me

now

Listening again, as if he heard something.) Jane. (to De Mon.) What, hear you aught? De Mon. (hastily.) 'Tis nothing. Lady. (to De Mon.) Nay, do not let me lose it so, my lord.

Some fair one has bewitch'd your memory,
And robs me of the half-form'd compliment.

Jane. Half-utter'd praise is to the curious mind As to the eye half-veiled beauty is,

More precious than the whole. Pray pardon him. Some one approaches.

(Listening.)

Freb. No, no, it is a servant who ascends; He will not come so soon.

De Mon. (off his guard.) 'Tis Rezenvelt: heard his well-known foot,

From the first staircase, mounting step by step. Freb. How quick an ear thou hast for distant sound!

I heard him not.

Rez.

No, no, De Monfort,
You have but rightly curb'd a wanton spirit,
Which makes me too neglectful of respect.
Let us be friends, and think of this no more.
Freb. Ay, let it rest with the departed shades
Of things which are no more; whilst lovely con-
cord,

Follow'd by friendship sweet, and firm esteem,
Your future days enrich. O heavenly friendship!
Thou dost exalt the sluggish souls of men,
By thee conjoin'd, to great and glorious deeds;
As two dark clouds, when mix'd in middle air,
The vivid lightning's flash, and roar sublime.
Talk not of what is past, but future love.
De Mon. (with dignity.) No, Freberg, no, it
must not. (To Rezenvelt.) No, my lord,

I will not offer you a hand of concord,
And poorly hide the motives which constrain me.
I would that, not alone, these present friends,
But every soul in Amberg were assembled,
That I, before them all, might here declare
I owe my spared life to your forbearance.
(Holding out his hand.) Take this from one who
boasts no feeling warmth,

But never will deceive.

changes.)

(Jane's countenance

But take this hand, the token of respect;
The token of a will inclined to concord;
The token of a mind, that bears within
A sense impressive of the debt it owes you:

Enter REZENVELT

(De Monfort, recovering himself, goes up to receive Rezenvelt, who meets him with a cheerful countenance.)

If e'er again it shall be lifted up

To do you any harm.

Rez. Well, be it so, De Monfort, I'm contented;

I'll take thy hand, since I can have no more.