Poems by George Pope Morris Part 49

Tear them apart!

HAROLD and GRENADIERS.

No more delay!

KARL.

To prison, hence!--

OMNES.

To prison?

HAROLD and GRENADIERS.

Hence!

OMNES.

Away! away!

(As the GUARDS attempt to separate COUNT LANISKA and SOPHIA, great confusion ensues, and the act-drop descends.)

End of the second act.

Act III.

Scene I.

The stage represents part of the Castle of Spandau, and is arranged as follows: On the left, is a large rock; above which, in the distance, is the Tower. A large grated door opens upon a platform, surrounded by iron railing.--COUNT LANISKA is discovered leaning upon them. On the right, is an arched cell, with part of the wall jutting from the side, behind which is a secret door. Above this is a fine view of an open country, and a clear, blue, starlight sky. SOPHIA is seated in the cell, at a table.--The whole scene is so managed that, while the AUDIENCE have a full view of everything, the PRISONERS, although they hear, can not see each other.--Time, near midnight.--The curtain rises slowly to music.

DUET--SOPHIA and COUNT.

SOPHIA.

This gloomy cell is my abode at last; The sole reward for all my perils past.

'Tis strange that love within the breast should dwell, When hope, dejected, bids the heart farewell!

COUNT.

What sounds are these? No human form is near, And yet that well-known voice I faintly hear, 'Twas sure the fancied music of the mind, Whose breathings mingled with the midnight wind.

BOTH.

Yes!--'Tis lost!--'Tis gone!--Hark! it comes again, Like distant echoes of a melting strain: In melody {her/his} spirit floats around!-- That voice!--These walls are vocal with the sound.

I hear its music near me still!--'Tis there!

Sure 'tis some gentle spirit of the air!

(During the duet, the moon has been gradually rising, and the light falls through the grated windows of the Prison.)

(enter JAILOR, from the Tower, to COUNT LANISKA.)

JAILOR.

Count Laniska--a friend, with an order form the king.

COUNT.

I attend him. [Exit Count LANISKA.

(Jailor closes the iron door over the grated window, locks it, and retires.)

SOPHIA.

'Twas but a dream!--'Tis past, and all is still again!

[The bell in the tower strikes twelve

BRAVURA--SOPHIA Hark! 'tis the deep-toned midnight bell, That bids a sad and long farewell To the departed hour; How like a dirge its music falls Within these cold and dreary walls, Where stern misfortunes lower!

Ah! vainly through these prison-bars Glide the pale beams of moon and stars, To cheer this lonely tower; From evening's close to dawn of day, Hope's star sheds not a single ray To light the solemn hour!

Alas! what pangs must guilt conceal, When innocence like mine can feel So crushed in such an hour!

I know not whether love be crime-- But if it is, in every clime 'Tis woman's fatal dower!

I can find no clew to this most cruel treachery.

What fiend in human shape has plotted my destruction? (Sound of chains--prison-door is unlocked.) Ah! Karl here!

(Enter KARL, who secures the door through which he came in. He takes a position on the opposite side of the stage, and regards SOPHIA attentively.)

KARL.

Well, Sophia, we meet at last where we can confer without the possibility of interruption. I came to save you.

SOPHIA.

My life would not be worth preserving, owing anything to you.

KARL.

Subdue this unavailing anger, and listen to your friend.

SOPHIA.

Not to you. The enmity of such a man is a tribute paid to honesty. Friend!

(scornfully.)

KARL.

I came to give you liberty.

SOPHIA.

How?

KARL.

By flight.