Have wept for thine afflictions; who have loved ENRICA. Father, talk not thus, There is no guilt without premeditation. And though I grieve for that which thou hast done, In striking down the foolish youth who did, Lo! the dawn, With kindling eye, and cheek like youthful hero's [Exeunt hurriedly. The wedding guests assemble at the chapel of the convent near by, but the bride is missing. Great trouble ensues. Orazio fears that she has gone off with Ottavio, -is ready to curse her, and storms and raves in good set terms. The old aunt Camilla is half distracted, the sculptor's servant, Giatto, is more distracted still that his master is nowhere to be found. A rumor spreads that Maldonado has carried off an Orsini, and has sent to the head of the family to demand five thousand scudi as his ransom, and is answered by a proclamation offering the same sum for the head of the robber chief. It is at once concluded that Maldonado has murdered Perelli and carried off his daughter. Forthwith it is resolved that the citizens shall arm and, under Orazio as their captain, go and seek the robbers in their fastness in the Abruzzi, and compel them to deliver the bride. In the mean time, Perelli and his daughter have fallen into the hands of Maldonado and his band. They are now in the robbers' cave, sad enough, as may well be supposed. Maldonado enters, and is addressed by Enrica in her male attire: "MALDONADO, (stopping.) What wouldst thou, boy? ENRICA. The freedom of my father, A weak old man, whom thou wouldst find a burthen, And freedom for the child whose duty 'tis To tend upon his age. Nothing. We have but our thanks To offer; and our prayers, that Heaven may not MALDONADO. Thanks fill not coffers, boy, and ours are empty. ENRICA, (detaining him.) O, if thy sinless childhood ever knew The blessedness of home;-securely slept [Passing on. While at thy couch a mother's love kept watch;- This reverend old man go forth in freedom, And let me, to repay some of the debt Due his past care, go with him. MALDONADO. I have not The power thou dost suppose me to possess. That will I never! PERELLI. And leave my child? [Going; stops, and after a pause. Within yon tent A wounded prisoner now lies, by whom ENRICA, (eagerly.) I'll be thy messenger; For I have youth, and health, and strength of limb, MALDONADO. This readiness to serve me hath a show But shouldst thou in thine errand fail, what then? ENRICA. I will return to share my father's fate. MALDONADO. What, though that fate were slavery for life? ENRICA. Ay, even that dreadful fate! for then would he MALDONADO. A noble lad! But when in Rome, surrounded by thy friends, And slavery here, with certain misery, For years, perhaps for life-and thou art young, With the warm blood of youth, and youth's high hopesCouldst thou renounce home, kindred, hope, and come Back to a living grave for one man's sake? She may she may? What masking have we here? [Seizes ENRICA, who submits calmly to his scrutiny. Or youth or maid, thou hast no woman's spirit. ENRICA, (freeing herself.) It is not my fault, [Without appearing to hear her, MALDONADO walks apart, PERELLI. O my accursed tongue! All, all is lost! ENRICA. Seem not to fear;-we may avert suspicion. [She affects a show of cheerfulness, and leading Perelli aside, appears to converse with him unconcernedly.] MALDONADO, (coming forward.) It must be so. Her sex speaks in her face Such might have been the face of Brutus' Portia, And from the land, which now they hold in thrall, From human hearts the wine that makes them drunk! Gods of the olden time! how my heart swells I've thought it not quite safe I fear me much, so well they love my people, Thou mock'st us, sir. ENRICA. MALDONADO. For thou art one that I, Would save from peril. In faith, I mock you not, at any risk, But to this old man, For whom there is less danger, I'll intrust ENRICA. O not to him! A terrible mishap Has forced him fly the city, where even now |