Melctal. Is 't the lake? FROM WILLIAM TELL. What is 't you fear, my daughter? Emma. Chafed with the storm of yesternight-'tis rough; But 'tis not that I fear. What business have The lances in that bark? What's that he does? He steers her right upon a rock!—'Tis in Despair, and there he'll die before my eyes!Ha! what!-What's that?-He springs upon the rock! He flies!-he's free!-but they pursue him! No-no! The lake is rough, Enter TELL from an eminence. Tell. Whene'er I choose, I have the speed of them. Nor dare they shoot: so oft as they prepare, If I but bend my bow, the terror of The deadly aim alone transfixes them, That down they drop their weapons by their sides, And stand at gaze, with lapsed power, as though every heart an arrow from my bow In Stood quivering. I knew that beetling cliff Would cost them breath to climb. They top it now. Ha! (Bends his bow) Have I brought you to a stand again? I'll keep you there, to give your master time To breathe. Poor slaves! no game are you for me; But could I draw the tyrant on that shrinks Behind you!--There he is! I'll take the crag, Bring him to parley. (Ascends the crag.) Enter ARCHERS and SPEARMEN followed by Gesler. Ges. Wherefore do you fly? Tell. Wherefore do you pursue me? Said you not You'd give me liberty, if through the storm I safely steer'd your prow? The waves did then I took it, and they rear'd their heads no more, The roaring of the angry thunder rose, Through which I bore you as through savage foes, What you did promise. Ges. To wait my time. Traitor, 'twas your place Tell. Ges. At once. Tell. Ha! Transfix the slave with all your darts [Takes aim again-they drop their weapons, which they had half raised. Follow me! Keen huntsmen they The game itself must urge. Keep up the chase! Ges. You keep too close together. Spread yourselves, That some of you may hit him unawares. His quiver full of ducats to the man That brings him down. On, cowards-on, I say! [Exeunt. Julia. LOVE SEEKS CONTRAST. You're from the town; How comes it, Sir, you seek a country wife? Clifford. In joining contrasts lieth love's delight. Complexion, stature, nature, mateth it, Not with their kinds, but with their opposites. And breasts that case the lion's fear-proof heart, Hath Europe's priceless pearl been seen to hang, From The Hunchback. THE VAIN WIDOW. Widow Green. Thou 'lt find out better when thy time doth come Now would'st believe I love not Master Waller? I never knew what love was, Lydia; That is, as your romancers have it. First, I married for a fortune. Having that, And being freed from him that brought it me, I marry now, to please my vanity, A man that is the fashion. O the delight Of a sensation, and yourself the cause! To note the stir of eyes, and ears, and tongues, Late Widow Green, her hand upon the arm My heart begin to flutter now-my blood To mount into my cheek! My honey-moon fan Will be a month of triumphs!" Mistress Waller!” Why, it will be the talk of East and West, And North and South!-The children loved the man, For what is it to love, but mind and heart But what another wills!-Give up the rights Of mine own brain and heart!—I thank my stars I never came to that extremity! From The Love Chase. THE GROWTH OF DEVOTED LOVE. Lorenzo. I dare be sworn your passion As e'er they were before. How grew it? Come, And see how innocent a thing it is Which thou dost fear to show.-I wait your answer. Mariana. As my stature grew, Which rose without my noting it, until An avalanche my father rescued him, From beneath Who wander'd through our mountains. A long time His life was doubtful, Signor, and he call'd For help, whence help alone could come, which I, Lorenzo. I perceive:-you mingled souls until you mingled hearts? You loved at last.-Was 't not the sequel, maid? Mariana. I loved, indeed! If I but nursed a flower And glow-and glow-till forth at last it burst Lorenzo. You loved, and he did love? Were to affirm what oft his eyes avouch'd, As some high contest there were pending, 'twixt Lorenzo. This spoke impediment: or he was bound By promise to another; or had friends Whom it behoved him to consult, and doubted; Or 'twixt you lay disparity too wide For love itself to leap. Mariana. I saw a struggle, But knew not what it was.-I wonder'd still, Lorenzo. To follow him, Mariana. What could I do?— Cot, garden, vineyard, rivulet, and wood, To Mantua! to breathe the air he breathed, To look, perchance, on him!-perchance to hear hiın, Till he was told, I lived and died his love. From The Wife. |