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From: Materna M. <sol...@ch...> - 2009-08-28 18:04:46
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T bloom but to decay! Nor wealth, nor joy, nor aught but pain, Was e'er to mortal's lot secure:-- Our first best lesson--to endure! ISABELLA. What shall I hear? What horrors lurk beneath This funeral pall? [She steps towards the bier, but suddenly pauses, and stands irresolute. Some strange, mysterious dread Enthrals my sense. I would approach, and sudden The ice-cold grasp of terror holds me back! [To BEATRICE, who has thrown herself between her and the bier. Whate'er it be, I will unveil---- [On raising the pall she discovers the body of DON MANUEL. Eternal Powers! it is my son! [She stands in mute horror. BEATRICE sinks to the ground with a shriek of anguish near the bier. CHORUS. Unhappy mother! 'tis thy son. Thy lips Have uttered what my faltering tongue denied. ISABELLA. My soul! My Manuel! Oh, eternal grief! And is it thus I see thee? Thus thy life Has bought thy sister from the spoiler's rage? Where was thy brother? Could no arm be found To shield thee? Oh, be cursed the hand that dug These gory wounds! A curse on her that bore The murderer of my son! Ten thousand curses On all their race! CHORUS. Woe! Woe! ISABELLA. And is it thus Ye keep your word, ye gods? Is this your truth? Alas for him that trusts with honest heart Your soothing wiles! Why have I hoped and trembled? And this the issue of my prayers! Attend, Ye terror-stricken witnesses, that feed Your gaze upon my anguish; learn to know How warning visions cheat, and boding seers But mock our credulous hopes; let none believe The voice of heaven! When in my teeming womb This daughter lay, her father, in a dream Saw from his nuptial couch two laurels grow, And in the midst a lily all in flames, That, catching swift the boughs and knotted stems Burst f |