COUNTESS (shrinking back).

Is he so ruthless, then?

ROVANI.

Ay, in the field.

But in your hall or bower, where ladies smile,
Who is more gentle? Thus it often is :
A lady feels not on her soldier's hand,
That softly presses her more gentle palm,
The deaths which it has dealt.

SOPHERA.

I'm sure, were but thy rapier like thy tongue, The count must have in thee an able second.

ROVANI.

I may not boast; but doth my circled finger
More rudely press thy snowy arm, fair maid,
Because this graven jewel was the gift
Of a great Moorish princess, whose rude foe
I slew before her eyes?

SOPHERA.

Some angry puppy that with snarling mouth Snapp'd at her robe or sandal'd heels, belike.

ROVANI.

Nay, by my faith! a foe in worth mine equal.

SOPHERA.

That I will grant thee readily. But say,
How far behind thee is the noble count?

COUNTESS.

Ay, is he near?

ROVANI.

Within a few short miles.

The war has ended sooner than we guess'd,
And we have made good speed.

So near !

COUNTESS.

ROVANI.

How is it? This affects you strangely.

COUNTESS.

Such unexpected news! I should be glad,
But gladness comes with pain. I will retire,
And for a moment strive to calm this tremor.
(To SOPHERA.) Follow me not.

[Exit.

ROVANI (looking after her as she goes off).

I have, ere now, beheld the sudden news
Of a good lord's return from foreign lands
By wedded dame received; but so received,
Never till now. How's this? What is the
matter?

How shall a simple bachelor, as I am,

Have thoughts of this bless'd state, if such as

SOPHERA.

Blame her not hastily; she is depress'd:
Old Baldwin, whom his master left behind,
That faithful servant, died with us this morning.

ROVANI.

Alas, poor soul! and he is gone at last!

Well, we have brought you thirsty throats enow
To drink his fun'ral wassals. Ay, poor Baldwin!
A hardy knave thou wert in better days.

If I had known of this, Heaven rest his soul!
I had not sounded my approach so cheerly.

SOPHERA.

To tell the truth, that martial sound deceived us.
We took you for Tortona's warlike lord,
Who, to refresh his passing troops, we hear,
Has made a halt: -I thought

ROVANI.

Out with thy thought!

Why dost thou hesitate? - I will explain it.
I've brought you disappointment.

Nay, pardon me; I linger here too long:

But, ere I go, how does the infant heir?

I must tell Garcio I have seen his boy.

SOPHERA.

With pleasure I'll conduct thee. 'Tis an urchin

Provoking smiles of love from every

face

That looks upon him, be it e'er so stern.

ROVANI.

How then will a fond father feel! - How oft-
How oft and fondly hath he talk'd of him!
Though but a little grasp of shapeless life,
With puling whine, just winking to the light,
As I remember well, when Garcio left him.

SOPHERA.

Is Garcio, then, so tender?

ROVANI.

Dost thou doubt it?

The bear doth love his cub, bear though he be: But Garcio is a man of strong affections.

Come, pray thee, lead.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-A wild Alley with a Grove behind. Martial Music heard without.

Then enter GARCIO with his Soldiers on march, and GONZALOs.

GARCIO.

Halt, my brave comrades; here we'll rest a while

Till sultry noon be past. Those spreading trees Will give you shade.

(To GONZALOS.) See'st thou Rovani coming?

GONZALOS.

No, good my lord; but through the trees I see Your castle's turrets brighten'd with the sun. Look there! it is a fair, enliv'ning sight.

GARCIO (turning away, after a hasty look). I see, I see. But wherefore stays Rovani! (To Soldiers.) Go, choose, each as he lists, his spot of rest;

I'll keep me here.

(GONZALOS and the Soldiers retire to the bottom of the Stage, but still appear partially through the trees.)

(After musing some time.) An infant's life! What is an infant's life? The chilly blast, That nips the blossom, o'er the cradle breathes, And child and dam like blighted sweetness fade. If this should be! O, dear, uncertain bliss! Shame on his tardy steps!-Ha! here he comes!

Enter ROVANI, while GARCIO runs up to him eagerly.

They are alive? they're well? And thou hast seen them?

ROVANI.

Your lady and your son?