Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Let us now proceed to give an account of the piece under consideration. Sforza, Duke of Milan, nourishes an implacable hatred against Foscari, the Doge of Venice, for some insult or injury received by the former from the Doge. His rage transports him so far, that, on discovering an amour carried on between the son of Foscari (then in disguise at his court) and his only daughter Julia, he resolves, without hesitation, to sacrifice his daughter, in order to gratify his desire of vengeance on the detested race of Foscari. He accordingly suffers them to elope together. They go to Venice, where the old Doge is overcome with joy on recovering his son, and consents to his marriage with his enemy's daughter. Sforza, in the meantime, sends ambassadors to Venice, under pretence of being desirous to heal up the breach between the two states, and renew his ancient friendship with Foscari, who willingly embraces his offer, and likewise gives his consent to the marriage of his daughter with Foscari's son. Certain of Sforza's creatures, by his direction, secretly prevail on several of the Venetian senators, by very obvious means, to accuse Ghiacomo (the Doge's son) of treason. support this accusation, a variety of concurring circumstances are brought together by those in Sforza's interest; but the principal circumstance offered is a letter, found in Ghiacomo's chamber, (and which is in reality deposited there by one of the conspirators), importing to be from Sforza, with offers of his daughter's hand, provided that Ghiacomo should assist Sforza in his secret designs against the Venetian state. He is condemned to banishment, whither his wife accompanies him. His father is deposed, and shortly after

dies.

Το

The piece opens with a conference between Sforza and his confident Contarino, in which the latter dis

closes the affection which he has discovered to exist between the lovers Julia and Chiacomo. This, together with the scene in which the elopement is planned, and others of minor importance, constitutes the matter of the first act.

The second opens with a wild, and

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

Beats for thy blest embrace! how my old frame

Struggles with joy, and trembles in its ecstacy!

Hark! do I hear them?no, 'tis but the
step

Of passing sentinels. How long they are!
And can he rack his aged father thus,
Who wishes, but once more, to see his
face,

And die! But stay, I hear some voices

near;

Believe me not again.—

The banquet scene follows

Doge, Good e'en, my lords, and you, most gentle ladies—

May mirth and joyous pastime be with
you!

This ought to be a glad assembly-'tis
Upon a glad occasion. Gentlemen,
Let me forewarn you to beware your hearts,
For, from the bright eyes which I can
see glancing

From sable masks, like stars in the dark
night,

Yes, nearer they approach, and one of I ween they are in danger.—

them,

Would 'twere Ghiacomo.-Yes,' tis my

son.

In the third act, the plot advances with rapid strides towards the catastrophe. It contains the embassy from Sforza to Venice-a banquetand a good deal of love.

The following account of the festivities on the occasion of the marriage, must have a place among our excerpta :

Mar. Where shall I begin

To tell you, Signiors? It defies account-
The citizens of Venice will appear
Cloth'd in their gayest dress-each coun-

tenance

Devoid of care, and beaming with de-. light

The houses hid with purple, and adorn'd
With wreathes of brilliant flow'rets, will
display

A noble spectacle-the tuneful songs,
And the rejoicing voices of the crowd,
Mingling their various strains with har-
mony

Complete, will crown the whole.-Then,
on the waves

Appears a lovely sight-even surpassing,
If possible, the first; the gondolas
And ganzares in festive colours deck'd,
And burnish'd gold, will glitter in the

scene;

And from innumerable shades of light, More beauteous than the arched bow of heav'n,

Which shines resplendent.-The music, too,

Will waft along the shore, and form a sound

Melodious and soft.-And, to conclude, This night a sumptuous banquet will be giv'n

To all the Court-where each will vie
with each

In elegance and taste-then harmony
Will reign supreme.-But it is time
That we prepar'd;—and, if I say not
time,

Vit. (disguised) One cannot stay
Long here, and cease to feel

The effects of the enchantment which per-
vades

[blocks in formation]

There is not much truth in the character
Which 'you have given me. I but aspire
To be a willing servant of the fair ones,
Not hoping any guerdon for my slavery.—
Enter Julia, habited as Diana.

Hail! lady fair, let your soft crescent shine
Upon your votaries.

Jul. Sir, my crescent needs
Must shine upon a votary so pleasant.

Vit. I am most fortunate, lady, to be
bless'd

With such your approbation. O, bright
goddess,

In pity to the rival moon which silvers
The fleecy clouds, and trembles on the

[blocks in formation]

One favouring ray, one

Jul. Hush, my votary;

My rays are cold, and do not shine on love My darts are made to strike the bristling boar;

My arrows fly to wound the panting hind; I deal not in the arms which Cupid fashions.

Con. Here is the letter, see that thou

convey it

Into his chamber. Then the day is ours. This bit of paper shall destroy the power Of Foscari's race, and hurl it from its greatness,

And make it viler than the vile-be

gone!

Vit. O let me be but struck by thee This is not a place proper for our con

[blocks in formation]

Our next extract is of a high character. It is a violent and energetic burst of feeling, combining pathos with impassioned eloquence. It expresses those sentiments which we imagine a feeling and sensible mind would conceive, and a noble and courageous one embody in the

Go-glut yourselves with murder, and rejoice in

The fall of an old man of Foscari.

The Doge's wishes for his ungrateful country must be given together with the prison scene.

Ghi. Restrain yourself, my father; do

not cast

language of indignation. Let it speak An angry thought on men like these;

for itself

[blocks in formation]

Which, while a heart can frame a cursea tongue

Give utterance to it shall be handed down

To ages after ages-to hold up
Unto succeeding generations, as
Names of deep execration, which should
be

Unspoken-only whisper'd in a breath
Of malediction-only whisper'd when
None but the wind can hear them ;-still
those winds

Shall bear them onwards, till the death of time,

Embracing in them every thing of hatred, Disgust and detestation..

"Tis true, that ye are mighty-ye have

slain

A son and broke a father's heart-that

[blocks in formation]

they are

Unworthy indignation-they have tri umphed

Accomplish'd their great aim-have ba nish'd me;

And may I be an offering, to propitiate The private feuds and discords which have rankled

So long in Venice! My fate is now as nothing;

It is for you, my father, that I grieve; Leaving you desolate, amongst your enemies.

Doge. Think not of me, my son--my course is over;

A few, a very few days more, and I am gone,

And sleep with my forefathers-with a

[blocks in formation]

scene before me:

And then, when hatred 'gainst me shall have ceas'd,

For envy cannot reach the peaceful grave, Some one shall linger at my tomb-and drop

A tear for the last Foscari.

Enter Julia. Julia. Oh, Ghiacomo ! And do I find thee thus!

Ghi. Do not weep, love; You find me in a prison; but I would not Exchange this dungeon for the palaces Of those who doom'd me hither-this coarse food,

For all their splendid banquets.-I am innocent,

And, in my innocense, have a greater

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

My father, and from thee

Julia. And dost thou think That I will stay when thou art gone, Ghiacomo,

To carry on existence, loathing life,

[blocks in formation]

A Doge no longer, in my life depriv'd
Of my proud station.

Then go with him, my daughter; other lands,

To tell the worst

Ghi. "Tis rumour'd, noble Doge, That the ungrateful senate have intention To depose their prince.

Doge. 'Tis well-go on, Ghiotto,

On whom will their fresh choice fall?
Gh. It is said,

Pasqual Malipiero will succeed to
The ducal seat.

Doge. He is a worthy nobleman, And will in all things strive to promote the good

Of Venice-I am glad—since I shall be No longer Doge--that I shall be succeeded By such a man-Yes, I rejoice for thee, My country! be thou blest when I am gone!

My actions have been for thee in my life, And, in my death, receive my wishes— may'st thou

Continue, as thou hast been, mighty! be A Queen above the nations! may no dis

cord

Disturb thy native peace-but, fear'd and honour'd

Fear'd by the bad, and honour'd by the virtuous,

Still hold on thine uninterrupted course Of glory! loyal subjects fill thy stateSubjects who will love thee, even as I

have lov'd thee;

But not like me rewarded--Fare thee well,
And, if my wish could ought avail, be thou
Perpetual!
[erit.

We must now hasten to a conclusion. But the speech of Sforza, when

Kinder than that which he hath fought disappointed in his schemes of ambi

and bled for,

Will give you refuge in a foreign clime. Unknown, unenvied, ye shall spend your days;

And whatsoever your fate, an old man's blessing

Be with you!

Julia. I must go with you, Ghiacomo, But first my heart pants for its native home;

I'll visit Milan, if thou wilt consent.

Ghi. Thou shall, and I will guard thee thither!

[blocks in formation]

tion, and imagining his daughter to be dead, must not be lost.

[blocks in formation]

Soaring ambition! Is this the fulfilment Of the high promises with which ye led me To my perdition? Yes, ye promis'd that, Amongst the mighty, I should be the mightiest,

And that, when I should be no more, and this

Frail earthly form should mingle with the dust

From whence it rose, still that a lasting fame,

Sprung, like the deathless Phoenix, from my ashes,

Should be my everlasting heritage. Accursed Demons! I have follow'd you Through the red paths of slaughterI have been

Your slave, that I might reap the glorious harvest

Which ye presented to my dazzled view, And now it fades away, like the false

wave

« AnteriorContinuar »