The Wonder-Working Magician Part 23

DEMON [flinging CYPRIAN from his arms].

It is He who has saved thy life.

CYPRIAN. More He'll do since I seek Him humbly.

[Exeunt.

SCENE XVII.

HALL IN THE PALACE OF THE GOVERNOR.

The Governor, FABIUS, and Soldiers.

GOVERNOR. How then was the capture made?

FABIUS. In their church, as we suspected, We discovered them collected, Where before their G.o.d they prayed.

With an armed guard I traced them To this secret sacred hall, Made them prisoners one and all, And in different prisons placed them.

But, your patience not to tire, The chief point I may declare,-- Captured is Justina fair, And Lysander her old sire.

GOVERNOR. If for gold, a fair pretence, If for rank, you would not miss, Wherefore bring me news like this And not claim your recompense?

FABIUS. If you deign to value thus My poor service you may pay it.

GOVERNOR. How?

FABIUS. With great respect I say it, Florus free, and Lelius.

GOVERNOR. Though I seemed austere and cold, Them chastising without pity To strike terror through the city, Yet if the whole truth were told, Then the cause were plain why they Have been prisoned a whole year.

It is this, a father's fear Lelius would preserve this way.

Florus was his rival, he Had a host of powerful friends, Each was jealous, and his ends Would attain whate'er might be.

I was fearful a collision Would ensue if they should meet, So I thought it more discreet Not to come to a decision.

So with this intent I sought Some pretext, Justina's face To expel from out this place, But I could discover nought.

But since this event to-day, With her damaged character, Gives a right to banish her, Nay, to take her life away, Let them be released. No fear Need you have about their fate; Go, and Lelius liberate, Go, and Florus bring me here.

FABIUS. Myriad times I kiss thy feet For a favour so immense.

[Exit.

SCENE XVIII.

The Governor and Soldiers.

GOVERNOR. And since now this fair pretence, This hypocritical deceit, In my power at last doth lie, Wherefore my revenge postpone For the sorrows I have known Through her fault? Yes, she shall die By the b.l.o.o.d.y headsman's hand.

[To a Soldier.

Bring her hither in my name.

Let her punishment and shame Be a terror to the land.

Let the palace she thought sweet But her scaffold scene present.

[Exit the Soldier with others.

SCENE XIX.

FABIUS, LELIUS, and FLORUS.--THE SAME.

FABIUS. Sir, the two for whom you sent Here are kneeling at your feet.

LELIUS. I, whose wish it is to be Welcomed as thy son this time, With no consciousness of crime Do not see a judge in thee, I an angry sire may see With a son's respectful fear And obedience.

FLORUS. Being here, I infer that it must be (Though no guilt can I discern) Thy chastising hand to feel.

See. Submissive here I kneel.

GOVERNOR. Lelius, Florus, I was stern, Justly stern against ye two, For as judge or father I Could not unchastised pa.s.s by Your offence. But then I knew That in n.o.ble hearts the feeling Of resentment does not last, And as now the cause is past, I resolved, to both appealing, Friends to make of you once more.

So to consecrate the tie Now embrace in amity.

LELIUS. I am glad that, as of yore, Florus is my friend to-day.

FLORUS. That thou'rt mine this act may show.

Here's my hand.

GOVERNOR. This being so, You are free to go or stay:-- When I tell you of the sad Fall of her you once admired, Northing further is required.

SCENE XX.

The Demon, a crowd of People.--THE SAME.

DEMON [within]. Ware! beware! He's mad! he's mad!

GOVERNOR. What is this?

LELIUS. I'll go and see.

[He goes to the door, and after a pause returns.

GOVERNOR. In this palace hall these cries, From what cause can they arise?