Edah. Golden stars! I love the stars-the happy stars-dost thou ? Albert. I hear it calling ever-I must hence! Edah. Is 't death? For on the eve my sister died I saw a shadowy phantom, and I heard Low voices calling- is it death thou hearest? Albert. No, no, my beautiful! it is not death, I have a mother who doth mourn for me, Edah. Oh! I would leave my mother for thy sake! Let me go with thee! Albert. Sweet love, that cannot be ! Far, far we go beyond the setting sun! I cannot take thee with me. Yon dark man That ever in the ship keeps by himself, Is a stern chief,-we dare not disobey him; He would not let thee come on board with me! Edah. Oh woe is me! oh woe, oh woe is me! [She wrings her hands in an agony of despair - Albert embraces her tenderly. Albert. My dearest love! my dark-eyed island beauty! Look on me, Edah, listen to my words- Day after day, that we should never part? [She rushes from the grotto. Enter THE CAPTAIN. The wind is fair, the seamen are aboard; Albert. Enough, fond fool, Of your pathetic whine! who was this time The wily snake that robbed the gentle Eve With flattering lies, of her sweet innocence? Albert. Nay, taunt me not! lead on, and I will follow! [They go off together. SCENE V. The deck of the ship, all hands on board, anchor weighed, and sails sel-a crowd of natives on shore; women tearing their hair and uttering loud lamentation-a little boat puts off, rowed by Edah. Cap. Crowd sail! let not yon little boat approach! Albert. This moment slacken sail! take in the canvas! Cap. [aside] Blind fool of headlong passion, have your way; [He folds his arms, and looks sullenly on. The boat comes alongside - Albert throws out a ladder and descends into it. Albert. What now, my love, would'st thou? Edah. Oh do not leave me! Come back and see the grotto I have decked Thou said'st thou loved'st the red-rose and the lotus, Come back and see how I have twined them for thee! Thou said'st thou loved'st the gushing, fragrant me lon, It wounds my very soul to part with thee! Edah. Each shell thou praised-pearl ones, that blush inside, And rosy corallines, I have collected Oh come thou back! I would be slave to thee, And fetch thee treasure from the great sea-caves! I would do aught to win thee back again. Albert. Peace, peace! poor innocent heart, thou dost distress me! Edah. Oh thou art angry, I have angered theeI have said that which is unpleasing to thee! Let me go with thee! I will be thy sister; Will watch by thee, when thou art sick or weary; Will gather fruits for thee; will work bright flowers Into a mantle for thee: I will be More than a loving daughter to thy mother! Albert. Thou can'st not go; but, my sweet island queen, I will return to thee! now fare thee well! Edah. Wilt thou, wilt thou indeed! oh then fare. well For a short season. I will watch for thee Cap. What, are you tarrying still! the girl is gone, For ever from the hills, and all night long Mid-seas-the deck of the ship-Albert and the Cap tain stand together, with glasses in their hands-a ship is seen in the distance, slowly making way as if heavily laden. Albert. She is a goodly ship, well-built and large, But in her aspect she has something strange; She walks the glittering waters wearily; There is an air of desolation on her; If she were human, I should call her haggard! Cap. [to the seamen.] Quick, slacken sail! we will join company! [He looks again through his glass. "T is a strange vessel, and a stranger crew! They look like dead men risen from their graves! Albert. [speaking through a trumpet.] What cheer, whence come, and whither are ye bound? And why are ye so few, and ghastly all? [No answer is returned, the ship slowly takes in sail, and comes alongside. Albert. Oh heavens! they are like dead men! Many weak voices from the ship.] Water! water! Cap. Speak, one of you, whence come? and what's your freight? Man. Our cargo is of gold, and pearl, and diamond, They will go raging mad before to-morrow, Albert. To rid them of their miserable lives? Albert. No, let them die, as die they surely must; We will keep near them, and when all are dead, Possess the abandoned cargo! [Albert speaks with his seamen· -they crowd on sail with alacrity, and the ship begins to move. Sailors of the plague ship. [With frantic gestures. Oh give us but one little cask of water! For God's sake give us water! [The ship moves off, and the sailors of the plague-ship are heard uttering dreadful imprecations. SCENE VII. Night-third night from parting with the ship-deck of Albert's vessel — watch on deck. 1st Man. And all to have share and share alike in the plunder why you can't say but that is fair enough; and yet drown me, if I like the job! 2nd Man. Neither do I! and yet if they 're dead, 't will be neither robbery nor murder, and they must be dead by this time. But somehow, it went against my conscience to leave em as we did: I warrant a cask o' water wouldn't have kept 'em alive a day longer. 1st Man. But th' old one said if they had water they would go raging mad, and eat one another. 2nd Man. I say, did you see the big fellow with the red eyes? never saw I such a sight before! 1st Man. Well, the fearsomest thing I saw, and the saddest, was a boy about as big as my Jack, with hands like claws, they were so wasted away, and a poor, yellow, deathly face, that set its patient leadcoloured eyes upon me, and for all the clamour, never said a word, but kept looking and looking, as if it had a meaning of its own, that I should know. Well, I'll tell you a secret: what, said I to myself. should it want but water, so I heaved up a can of water over to him, and I shall never forget his look, to my dying day! My heart fairly sprung a leakfor what did he do with it? he tasted not a drop himself, but poured it into a poor fellow's mouth, that was lying gasping beside him-I guessed it was his father! 2nd Man. Well, I'll tell you what, I wish we had got it all over! It looks dismal to see that death-ship always before us. But this is the third day, and as soon as morning breaks we shall come up with her and see what state she's in. SCENE VIII. Morning-they lay alongside the strange vessel-the crew still on board, with wild looks and making menacing gestures. ALBERT and the CAPTAIN stand together. Albert. Not one of them is dead-how gaunt they look, How horribly ferocious, with clenched hands Cap. Board them at once, And cut them down at once, nor thus be mouthed at! Albert. Still, still you are a bloody counsellor! Cap. Well, if you still object unto the means, Let's leave this wretched ship to rot at once, And give her cargo to the thankless deep! Albert. I am perplexed Between the wish to have, and the repugnance To shedding human blood! Cap. [A horrible scene ensues — the strange SCENE IX. Several hours afterwards— Albert's cabin; he rushes in distractedly, throws his bloody cutlass on the floor, and flings himself upon a couch. A SAILOR enters hastily. Sailor. There is a woman on the burning ship! mercy Let us atonement make to outraged heaven! [The sailor goes out. Oh what a bloody wretch I am become, [He fills a goblet several times and drinks, then dashes the goblet to the floor. It tastes like blood! And wine will ever taste thus, so will water! The bread I eat will choke me! I am gone raging mad! SCENE X. I am mad! Come, thou shalt have these diamonds on thy neck! [He takes up a necklace. Angela. Keep back thy horrid arm!-Those Oh, sir, they were my mother's! If thou have Albert. I have a mother-but she would not The savage creatures are my kindred now! Is madness! I have done a deed of hell, SCENE XI. Night-Albert's cabin, a dim lamp is burning—Albert Enter the CAPTAIN. Albert. What shriek was that?-and where is Albert. Cap. Where plummet will not reach her! My hands are clean THE SEVEN TEMPTATIONS. Upon the silent deck, meting out time As the clock's ticking;- still she stood, like death, Albert. And I the while was taking senseless sleep! They seized her in the darkness;—from their grasp Cap. I'll let them settle it as they like best. 'T was but to know if she were dead or living That the poor men approached her! [He goes to an inner chamber. Thou hast brought misery on me! I am dyed Cap. Come, come, my friend, we've had too much Are we never to meet without these squabblings? SCENE XII. Night-tempest-thunder and lightning - the ship drives before the storm-Albert's cabin-Albert alone: Three days the storm has raged-nor is there yet That skill of man can do to save our lives; SCENE XIII. The vessel floating without mast or rudder-famine on Albert. What miserable sound of mortal strife [He advances along the deck with difficulty; the seamen are eagerly stripping the body. Albert. My brethren in affliction, sin not thus; The murdered dead-she has made cause against us; Touch not that flesh, lest God abandon you! Pale ghastly faces, cresting the fierce waters, Mate. There is no bread!-there is no drop of water! These cannot speak for thirst-nor shall I long- Albert. Alas! I have it not-I shared the last with you! Some land is near, for many flights of birds Albert. [aside.] Still that prayer! If they reach any shore, I am undone! There, there they stand! I see them now around me! But 'tis impossible!-their feeble arms Oh, fearful spectres, fasten not your eyes [He rushes to the door, the Captain meets him. Cap. I heard your voice, you have got company? Albert. Out of my way!- My blackest curse be on thee: I am a damned sinner through thy means! Cap. Peace, peace! your passion overmasters you! Albert. Have I not need to curse thee to thy face? They cannot gain the land—I'm safe from them! SCENE XIV. Albert's city-two merchants on 'Change. 1st Mer. I've seen the men myself, and heard their story, In number they are seven-a ghastly crew, 1st Mer. I know they had misgivings - for his Took to her bed in grief for his departure, 4th Mer. [coming up.] I would consult you on Their lips were black and shrivelled, and their jaws Of Albert Luberg - Were it not most right Hung like the stiffened jaws of a dead face. For thirteen days they had not tasted food; They now are lodged within the hospital; And I have heard their dreadful history, More horrible than their condition! To send a vessel out to meet with him? It were but right to follow him, for justice! 4th Mer. We are agreed then! Let us find a ship Fit for this service, lightly built and swift, Which may pursue him round the world itself. 1st and 3rd Mer. "T is a right judgment ! 2nd Mer. Ah, poor Madame Luberg! [They all go off together. SCENE XV. Street -a crowd assembled. But Albert Luberg 1st Man. He was brought in this morning. 2nd Man. 1st Man. Did you see him? from 2nd Mer. Could not turn pirate! "Tis a base assertion! These fellows have been mutinous, and now Would blast the honour of a worthy man ; They are a lying crew-I'll not believe it! 1st Mer. Nay, hear the men yourself! not detect You'll The semblance of a lie-'tis a calm story; 3rd Mer. [coming up.] Well sir, I've heard this doleful story through, And fresh particulars which you heard not. Of a most wholesome lesson, which will preach Is still stretched out to punish, let him strive For them the sea grew calm—and a strong gale No, but I saw the wreck he was taken nothing but a black, weather-beaten hull; it lay like an old boat on the water, you would have said it would go to pieces with every wave, and yet the timbers were all sound-they said it had not sprung a leak, nor would have perished for months. 3rd Man. And have they got them both? 1st Man. Only Luberg; the other got off, nobody knows how, they say he is the devil! 2nd Man. Lord have mercy on us! [The crowd increases. 4th Man. Well, I've seen him-and I wish I had never set eyes on him! Oh, he's a bad man! he has a horrid look-and I remember him a proper young man, and the handsomest that went out of harbour! 5th Man. But he was dying of hunger when they picked him from the wreck-they say a child would outweigh him! poor fellow! 6th Man. Do you pity him, a bloody pirate! 5th Man. Oh but you havn't seen his face as I have! He is like a withered old man, and has such a look of misery! God help him! 1st Man. And what's to be done with him? 6th Man. They say he will be hung in irons on the wreck, and then all will be sunk together! 7th Man. "T is no more than he deserves! 5th Man. If all had their deserts, who would escape the gallows? 3rd Man. Let's go look at the wreck. Several. Let's go! [They disperse. |