PR 5379 
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 1824 
 
 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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 EVADNE ; 7^w 
 
 OR, THE STATUE. 
 
 A TRAGEDY ; 
 
 2J# If. Shed, lBm> 
 
 WITH PREFATORY REMARKS. 
 
 THE ONLY EDITION EXISTING WHICH IS FAITHFULLY 
 
 MARKED WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, 
 
 AND STAGE DIRECTIONS, 
 
 AS IT IS PERFORMED AT THE 
 
 EhmtvtH ftitsal. 
 
 By W. OXBERRY, Comedian. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY WELLS AND LILLY— COURT-STREET 
 A, T. GOODRICH & CO.— -NEW-YORK". 
 
 1824. 
 
JIA 
 
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 lematto 
 
 EVADNE. 
 
 -I HE plot of this piece is borrowed in a great measure 
 from " The Traytor,"* a tragedy by Shirley, one of the last, 
 though by no means the least, of our old English drama- 
 tists. This excellent school has been altogether too much 
 slighted ; but Shirley has met with a more than usual por- 
 tion of neglect, and even Mr. Lamb, though otherwise a 
 judicious critic, speaks of him in no very favourable terms. 
 " Shirley," he observes, " claims a place amongst the wor- 
 thies of this period, not so much for any transcendant genius 
 in himself, as that he was the last of a great race, all of 
 whom spoke nearly the same language, and had a set of mo- 
 ral feelings and actions in common." — Few will concur in 
 this estimate of Shirley's genius ; but indeed the whole note 
 is not written with the usual judgment of this elegant and 
 accomplished scholar ; no doubt these poets had " a set of 
 moral feelings and notions in common ;" for, however men 
 
 * This play though often attributed to Shirley is nothing 
 
 more than an alteration by him from the work of Rivers, 
 
 and the copy of the play, bearing date 1692, has the name 
 
 is on the title-page. There is an edition as early 
 
 as 1B35, according to the Biographia Dramatica. 
 
 z nwt 
 
may differ in the practice of morality, there can be no va- 
 riance of opinion as to what constitutes moral obligation ; 
 and in regard to the old dramatists speaking nearly the 
 same language, the assertion is perhaps more trite than 
 true : the style of Ben Johnson, for instance, is no more 
 like that of Ford, than the style of ^schylus is like that of 
 Euripides ; how could it be when their minds were so dif- 
 ferently constituted — a difference that is sufficiently point- 
 ed out by the choice of their subjects ? 
 
 Mr. Sheil too seems not to have formed a fair estimate 
 of Shirley's genius ; he has omitted some scenes of unques- 
 tionable excellence, and has often only taken the ideas of 
 the old dramatist, when he had better have given them in 
 their original language : let any one compare the following 
 extracts, and judge how much the old poet has lost by the 
 alteration : 
 
 But when you're laid within your sepulchre. 
 
 And rot most honourably, then I fear me 
 
 A lesser shame will not befall your house 
 
 For all the graven marbles on your tomb ! 
 
 Your Sister 
 
 Evadne,p. 49- 
 Go, practise immortality, 
 
 And ere thy body hath three days inhabited 
 
 A melancholy chamber in the earth, 
 
 This sister shall be ravish'd, 
 
 Maugre thy dust and heraldry. 
 
 Traytor, Act L p. 45, 4/o. Ed. 1692, 
 hud. Do not waste in idle wrath — 
 Col. My fathers ! do you hear it in the tomb ? 
 
 Do not your mouldering remnants of the earth 
 
 Feel horrid animation in the grave, 
 
5 
 
 And strive to burst the ponderous sepulchre, 
 
 And throw it off? 
 
 Evadne, p. 4<? ■ 
 
 Lo. Then I'm sorry. 
 Sci. Why should you be sorry, sir ? 
 You say it is my sister he would strumpet ; 
 Mine — Amidea ?— 'Tis a wound you feel not ; 
 But it strikes through, and through the poor Sciarrab, 
 I do not think, but all the ashes of 
 My ancestors do swell in their dark urnes 
 At this report, of AmidecCs shame : 
 It is their cause as well as mine, and should 
 Heaven suffer the Duke's sin to pass unpunished, 
 Their dust must, of necessity, conspire 
 To make an earthquake in the temple. 
 
 Traytor,dctII.p. 10.. 
 In its fable, the modern play had decidedly the advan- 
 tage, though it has no single scene that can compete with 
 the old dramatist ; the fable of Evadne is more compact 
 than that of the Traytor, and its different characters are 
 more essentially connected with each other ; but, at the 
 same time, its catastrophe is feebleness itself when com- 
 pared with the powerful winding up of the original story. 
 
 Of the language of Evadne, much may be said in praise, 
 and little in censure ; it is for the most part pleasing, yet 
 sometimes it affords passages too much in the vein of Hie r- 
 onymo and Tamburlaine ; for example ; — 
 
 Hath any thing befallen that should have blown 
 On the red iron of thy heated wrath, 
 And steeped thee back to meekness? — 
 
 Page BO\ 
 
■He trembles! he relents 
 
 Page 58. 
 
 Page 41. 
 
 Page 23, 
 
 I read it in the glimmering of his face. 
 
 Thou art all made of blood, and to the sun 
 Art grown detestable. 
 
 Some daemon paints it on the coloured air. 
 
 1 have gaz'd upon it, 
 
 In hope that with the glaring of mine eyes 
 
 I might burn out the false and treacherous word ; 
 
 But still 'tis there. — No more — else it will turn 
 
 My brain to a red furnace, 
 
 Page 16. 
 
 The faults of this kind are, however, too few to detract 
 from the general merit of the play, which, though not of 
 the first order, is evidently the work of a scholar and a 
 man of talent. 
 
Eimt itf ilrjjrcscutatfott 
 
 The time this piece takes in representation, is two hours 
 and a half. 
 
 Stage Directions, 
 
 By r.h. is meant ----- Right Hand, 
 
 l.h. Left Hand. 
 
 s.E. Second Entrance, 
 
 u.e. Upper Entrance. 
 
 M.D. Middle Door. 
 
 D.f. Door in Flat. 
 
 r.h.d. Right Hand Door, 
 
 l.h.d. - - Left Hand Door, 
 
$en?tms ftejireiientett. 
 
 The King of Naples Mv. Abbott. 
 
 Ludovico, his favourite ------- Mr. M'Cready. 
 
 Colonna Mr. Young. 
 
 Vicentio ---- ..-..».. Mr. C. Kembk. 
 
 Spalatro - -- Mr. Connor. 
 
 Officer ---- - Mr. Norri9. 
 
 Servant - - --.. Mr. Healey. 
 
 Evadne, sister of Colonna ---«-. Miss O'Neill. 
 
 Olivia, in love with Vicentio - - - - - • Mrs. Faucit. 
 
 Scene" Naples. 
 
WRITTEN BY CHARLES PHILLIPS, ESQ. 
 
 Spoken by Mr. Egerton, 
 
 When erst in Eden's solitary bowers, 
 
 The primal Man beheld his world of flowers^ 
 
 Eternal sunshine tinged the glorious sky, 
 
 Alternate beauties woed his wandering eye ; 
 
 While infant Love, waving its odorous wing, 
 
 W T oke the wild spirit of the breathing Spring* 
 
 Yet still through Paradise he restless strayed, 
 
 Its bower was songless, and its sun was sliade ; 
 
 E'en as the Bard of Albany* has sung, 
 
 In strains that live for age, and yet are young, 
 
 Creation bloom'd, a decorated wild, — 
 
 It was not Paradise — till Woman smiled. 
 
 Fair on his view the Paragon arose, 
 
 Source of his bliss, and solace of his woes. 
 
 By bounteous Heaven ordain'd to sooth his fall, 
 
 And sole survive, a recompense for all. 
 
 Who has not felt her chaste and charmed power 
 
 Beguile his sad, and raise his raptur'd hour ? 
 
 If such there be — Oh ! let him bend his sight 
 
 Albany was the ancient name of Scotland, — Campbell 
 
1Q PROLOGUE. 
 
 Far from the hallowed vision of to-night. 
 To-night, our Bard, in lovely woman's cause. 
 Alone from manly bosoms asks applause ; 
 From British bosoms asks, without a fear, 
 Assured that such a cause is sacred here. 
 And you, ye fair, see young Evadne prove 
 Her vestal honour, and her plighted love ; 
 See her, the light and joy of every eye, 
 Veil all her charms in spotless chastity ; 
 And, 'mid the fires and phantasies of youth, 
 Turn strong temptations to the cause of truth ! 
 Oh ! may each maid Evadne's virtue share, 
 With heart as faithful though with form less fail 
 You, too, who hope ambition's height to climb, 
 Toiling to fortune through the maze of crime, 
 Behold, as in the daring " fool of Crete." 
 Of such design, the lesson, and the fate : 
 Behold the wing that lifts it to the skies 
 Melt in the sun to which it sought to rise. 
 Such is the strain by which the moral bard 
 Seeks from a moral people his reward : 
 Seeks, in simplicity, without one aid 
 From scenic pomp, or pasteboard cavalcade. 
 Britons, be just, and as our " Statue" stands, 
 Like Memivojv's image from its master's hands, 
 With one bright ray illume the sculptured toil, 
 And bid it breathe — the creature of your smile. 
 
EVADNE ; 
 
 OR, THE STATUE, 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I.— -The Palace of the King of Naples* 
 
 The King, Spalatro, and ten Courtiers, two Ban- 
 ners, and six Guards, discovered. 
 
 King. Didst say the Marquis of Colonna prays 
 Admission to our presence ? 
 
 Spal. Aye, my liege, 
 He stands in the anti-chamber, with a brow 
 As stem as e'er was knitted in the folds 
 Of ranc'rous discontent. 
 
 King. I have noted oft {Comes forward.) 
 
 His absence from the court, the which I deem 
 His envy of our true Ludovico. 
 
 Spal. Deem it no little benefit, my liege ; 
 His deep and murky smile, his gather'd arms, 
 In whose close pride he folds himself— his raw 
 And pithy apothegms of scorn have made him 
 Our laughter and our hatred ; we are all 
 
12 EVADNE; 
 
 Grown weary of this new Diogenes, 
 Who rolls his hard and new philosophy 
 Against all innocent usage of the court. 
 
 King. We must not bid him hence — he has a 
 sister — 
 
 Spal. The fair Evadne !— 
 
 King. Fairer than the morn ; 
 Who has not seen her, knows of beauty less 
 Than blind men of Aurora. For her sake 
 We give him ample scope, and we are glad 
 He comes to visit us. 
 
 Col. ( Without, l.h.) I'll hear no more. 
 Colonna does not often importune 
 With his unwelcome presence. Let me pass— 
 For once I must be heard. 
 
 Enter Two Courtiers and Colonna, l.h. 
 
 My liege ! — 
 
 1st. Court. Hold back ! 
 What right hast thou to rush before the sight 
 Of sacred royalty ? 
 
 Col. The right that all 
 Good subjects ought to have — to do him service. 
 My liege — (Courtiers retire l.h. and Spalatro 
 wosess behind to r.h,) 
 
 King. You are welcome — ■ 
 And would you had brought 3'our lovely sister too, 
 
 Col. My sister, did you say ? My sister, sir ? 
 She is not fit for courts ; she would be called 
 (For she has something left of nature still) 
 A simple creature here ; 
 She is not fit for courts, and I have hope 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 13 
 
 She never will : but let it pass — I come 
 To implore a favour of you. 
 
 King. Whatsoe'er 
 Colonna prays, sure cannot be refus'd. 
 
 Col. The favour that I ask is one, my liege 
 That princes often find it hard to grant. 
 *Tis simply this — that you will hear the truth. 
 
 King. Proceed, and play the monitor, my lord, 
 
 Col. I see your courtiers here do stand amazed 
 Of them I first would speak — There is not one 
 Of this wide troop of glittering parasites, 
 That circle you., but in soul 
 Is your base foe. These smilers here, my liege, 
 These sweet melodious flatterers, my liege, — ■ 
 That flourish on the flexibility 
 Of their soft countenances, — are the vermin 
 That haunt a prince's ear with the false buzz 
 Of villanous assentation. — These are they 
 Who from your mind have flouted every thought 
 Of the great weal of the people. These are they 
 Who from your ears have shut the public cry, 
 And with the poisoned gales of flattery 
 Create around you a foul atmosphere 
 Of unresounding denseness, thro' the which 
 Their loud complaints cannot reverberate, 
 And perish ere they reach you. 
 
 King. Who complains, — 
 Who dares complain of us ? 
 
 Col. All dare complain 
 Behind you — I before you. Do not think 
 Because you load your people with the weight 
 Of camels, they possess the camel's patience, 
 A deep groan labours in the nation's heart . 
 
M EVADNE; 
 
 The very calm and stillness of the day 
 Gives augury of the earthquake. All without 
 Is as the marble smooth, and all within 
 Is rotten as the carcase it contains ; 
 Tho' ruin knock not at the palace-gate, 
 Yet will the palace-gate unfold itself 
 To ruin's felt-shod tread. 
 
 King. (Aside.) Insolent villain ! 
 
 Col. Your gorgeous banquets — your luxuries 
 — your pomps, 
 Your palaces, and all the sumptuousness 
 Of painted royalty will melt away, 
 As in a theatre the glittering scene 
 Doth vanish with the shifter's magic hand, 
 And the mock pageant perishes. My liege. 
 A single virtuous action hath more worth 
 Than all the pyramids, and glory writes 
 A more enduriag epitaph upon 
 One generous deed, than the sarcophagus 
 In which Sesostris meant to sleep. 
 
 Sped. (Coming forward.) Forbear ! 
 It is a subject's duty to arrest 
 Thy rash and blasphemous speech. 
 
 King. Let him speak on — 
 The monarch who can listen to Colonna, 
 Is not the worthless tyrant he would make me. 
 
 (Spalatro retires.) 
 
 Col. I deem not you that tyrant — if I did — 
 No ! — Nature framing you, did kindly mean, 
 And o'er your heart hath sprinkled many drops 
 Of her blest charities. But you are led 
 From virtue and from wisdom far away, 
 By men whose every look's a lie — whose hearts 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 15 
 
 Are a large heap of cankers, and of whom 
 The chief is a rank traitor ! 
 
 King. Traitor ! whom meanest thou ? 
 
 Col. Your favourite, your minister, my liege. 
 That smooth-fac'd hypocrite — that — 
 
 King. Here he comes ! 
 
 Col. It is the traitor's self — I am glad of it, 
 That to his face I may confront. — 
 
 Enter Ludovico, r.h. — he advances rapidly to the 
 king. 
 
 Lud. My liege, 
 I hasten to your presence, to inform you— 
 Colonna here ! {Starting.) 
 
 Col. The same — Colonna's here ! 
 And if you wish to learn his theme of speech, 
 Learn that he spoke of treason and of you. 
 
 Lud. Did I not stand before the hallowed eye 
 Of majesty, I would teach thee with my sword 
 How to reform thy phrase — But I am now 
 In my king's presence, and with awe-struck sou!, 
 As if within religion's peaceful shrine, 
 Humbly I bend before him. What, my liege, 
 Hath this professor of austerity, 
 And pracliser of slander, uttered 
 Against your servant's honour ? 
 
 King. He hath called you — 
 
 Col. A traitor ! and I warn you to beware 
 Of the false viper nurtured in your heart. 
 He has filled the city with a band of men, 
 By fell allegiance sworn unto lymself, 
 There are a thousand ruffians at his word 
 
16 EVADNE 
 
 Prepared to cut our throats. The city swarm* 
 
 With murderers' faces^ and tho' reasonnow 
 
 Moves like a muffled dwarf, 'twill speedily 
 
 Swell to a blood robed giant! — If my liege, 
 
 What I have said doth not unfilm your eye, 
 
 f Twere vain to tell you more, 
 
 I have said, my liege, 
 
 And tried to interrupt security 
 
 Upon her purple cushion — he, perhaps, 
 
 Will find some drowsy syrup to lay down 
 
 Her opening eye-lids into sleep again, 
 
 And call back slumber with a lullaby 
 
 Of sweetest adulation. — Fare you well 1 
 
 Lud. Hold back ! 
 
 Col. Not for your summons, my good lord 
 The courtly air doth not agree with me, 
 And I respire it painfully. My lord, 
 Hear my last words — Beware, Ludovico ! 
 
 Lud. Villain, come back ! 
 
 Col. I wear a sword, my lord. [Exit, l.h, 
 
 Lud. He flies before me — and the sight of him 
 He dares accuse, came like the morning sun 
 On the night-walking enemy of mankind, 
 That shrinks before the day-light — yes, he fled T 
 And I would straight pursue him, and send back. 
 On my sword's point, his falsehoods to his heart — 
 But that I here before the assembled court 
 Would vindicate myself— a traitor ! — who 
 In any action of Ludovico 
 Finds echo to that word ? 
 
 King, I cannot think 
 Thou hast repaid me with ingratitude. 
 
 Lud, I do not love to make a boisterous bo;?** 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 17 
 
 Of my past services, and marshal forth 
 
 In glittering array the benefit 
 
 That I have done my sovereign — what I did 
 
 Was but my duty Yet would I inquire 
 
 If he who has fought your battles, and hath made 
 
 A very thrall of victory — who oft 
 
 Has back to Naples from the field of fight, 
 
 Led your triumphant armies, — 
 
 He whose hand 
 
 Hath lined the oppressive diadem with down, 
 
 And ta'en its pressure from the golden round — 
 
 If he whose cheek hath at the midnight lamp 
 
 Grown pale with study of his prince's weal 
 
 Is like to be a traitor ? — who, my liege, 
 
 Hath often like the daylight's god transpierced 
 
 The hydra-headed monster of rebellion, 
 
 And stretched it bleeding at your feet ? who oft 
 
 Hath from the infuriate people exorcised 
 
 The talking daemon, " liberty" and choaked 
 
 The voice of clamorous demagogues ? — I dare 
 
 To tell you 'twas Ludovico ! 
 
 King. It was. 
 
 Lud. Who calls me traitor ? He whose breath 
 What'er it blows upon — he — [doth taint 
 
 But ask yourself, my lord, if I be mad ? 
 For were I that, that he would make Ludovico, 
 The cells of frenzy, not the scaffold's plank, 
 Would best beseem my treason. In your love 
 My fortunes grow and flourish unto heaven j 
 And I should win by treason but the load 
 Of the world's execration, while the fierce 
 And ravenous vulture of remose would tear 
 The vitals of my soul, and make my heart 
 3 
 
18 EVADNE; 
 
 Its black immortal banquet ! I a traitor i 
 At first, I only meant to scorn. But now, 
 The bursting passion hath o'ermastered me, 
 And my voice choaks in anguish ! Oh, my liege, 
 Your giving audience to this rancorous man, 
 Who envies me the greatness of your smile, 
 Hath done me wrong, and stabs me thro' and 
 A traitor! — your Ludovico ! [thro'. 
 
 King. My lord. 
 
 Lud. (Kneels.) Here is my heart! If you have 
 any mercy, [forth, 
 
 Strike thro' that heart, and as the blood flows 
 Drown your suspicions in the purple stream. 
 
 King. Arise, Ludovico, and do not think 
 I have harboured in my breast a single thought 
 That could dishonour thee. 
 
 (Raises and embraces him.) 
 
 Lud. My royal master ! 
 The power of gratitude mounts from my heart, 
 And rushes to mine eyes, that are too apt 
 To play the woman with me. See, they are 
 
 falling — 
 Oh ! let them not profane your sacred cheek. 
 But bathe my prince's feet. 
 
 King. Ludovico, 
 We have wrong'd thee, not by doubt, 
 But by our sufferance of Colonna's daring — < 
 Whom from my sight into the dungeon's depth 
 I had flung, but that i hope — Let us apart— 
 
 (Draws Ludovico aside in front, l.h.) 
 But that I hope, Ludovico, that yet 
 I may possess me of his sister's charms. 
 
 Lud. There you have struck upon the inmost 
 spring 1 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 19 
 
 Of all Colonna's hate ; for in obedience 
 
 To your high will, 1 humbly made myself 
 
 Your pleasure's minister, and to her ear 
 
 I bore your proffered love, which he discovering 
 
 Hath tried to root me from my prince's heart — 
 
 King. Where thou shalt ever flourish ! But, 
 Ludovico, [friend? 
 
 But thou hast told her ! — Is there hope, my 
 
 Lud. She shall be yours — nay, more— and 
 well you know 
 That you may trust your servant — not alone 
 Colonna's lovely sister shall be yours : 
 But, mark my speech, Colonna's self shall draw 
 The chaste white curtains from her virgin-bed, 
 And lead you to her arms ! 
 
 King. What ! her fierce brother 
 Yield his consent ? 
 
 Lud. Inquire not how, my liege, 
 I would accomplish this — trust to my pledge — 
 This very night. 
 
 King. To-night ! Am I so near 
 To heaven, Ludovico ? 
 
 Lud. You are, my liege, 
 To-night upon the breast of paradise 
 You shall most soundly sleep. (Aside.) 
 
 King. My faithful friend ! 
 And dost thou say, Colonna will himself ? 
 
 Lud, Colonna's self shall bear her to your 
 And bid her on to dalliance. [arms, 
 
 King. Oh, my friend, 
 Thou art the truest servant that e'er yet 
 Tended his sovereign's wish : but dost not fear, 
 Uev purposed marriage with Vicentio 
 
20 EVADNE 
 
 May make some obstacle ? 
 
 Lud. I have recalled him 
 From Florence, whither as ambassador, 
 In honourable exile he was sent. 
 
 King. Recalled him ! 'Twas to interrupt his 
 That he was sent. [love 
 
 Lud. My projects need his coming. 
 For I intend to make Vicentio 
 An instrument to crown you with her charms! 
 
 King. How shall I bless thee, my Ludovico 1 
 Dost thou think 
 
 'Tis strange I pine for her — but why inquire 
 Of thee, who once wert kindled by her charms. 
 
 Lud. My liege ! (A little disturbed.) 
 
 King. She did prefer Vicentio. 
 
 Lud. She shall prefer you to Vicentio. 
 
 King. My dear Ludovico, within my soul 
 More closely will I wear thee ! — 
 Tell her we'll shower all honour on her head. 
 And here, Ludovico, to testify 
 That we have given ourselves, bear to her heart 
 This image of her king ! 
 
 Ijud. I am in all your servant. 
 
 King. My Ludovico, 
 We never can reward thee ! Come my friends, 
 
 (Crosses to R.H,) 
 Let's to some fresh-imagined sport, and wile 
 The languid hours in some device of joy, 
 To help along the lazy flight of time, 
 And quicken him with pleasure. My Ludovico ! 
 Remember ! 
 
 [Exeunt King and ten of the Courtiers, R.H. 
 Banners and guards, p.h.u.e. ; Spalatro y 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 21 
 
 and four other Conspirators remain behind 
 with Ludovico. 
 Lud. He is gone, 
 And my unloosened spirit dares again 
 To heave within my bosom ! — Oh, Colonna, 
 With an usurious vengeance I'll repay thee, 
 And cure the talking devil in thy tongue ! 
 (To Spalatro,)— Give me thy hand, and let thy 
 
 pulse again 
 Beat with a temperate and healthful motion, 
 Of full security. We are safe, my friends, 
 And in the genius of Ludovico, 
 An enterprise shall triumph. 
 
 SpaL We began to tremble when you entered 
 — but full soon 
 With admiration we beheld you tread 
 Secure the steeps of ruin, and preserve us. 
 
 Lud. That damn'd Colonna ! — by the glorious 
 Of my nativity, I do not burn [star 
 
 For empire, with a more infuriate thirst, 
 Than for revenge ! 
 
 SpaL My poniard's at your service. 
 
 (First and Second Conspirators half draw their 
 
 daggers.) 
 Lud. Not for the world, my friends ! 
 I'll turn my vengeance to utility, 
 And must economize my hate — Whom think you 
 Have I marked out assassin of the king ? 
 
 SpaL Piero, perchance — he strikes the poin- 
 
 ard deep. 
 Lud. A better hand at it. 
 SpaL Bartolo, then — 
 He pushes the stiletto to the heart 
 3 * 
 
22 EVADNE; 
 
 Lud. No! 
 
 Spal. Then yourself will undertake the deed. 
 
 Lud. That were against all wisdom — No, my 
 Colonna — [friends 3 
 
 Spal. What, Colonna ? — he that now 
 Accused you here ? 
 
 Lud. Colonna ! — 
 
 Spal. 'Tis impossible ! — 
 From his great father he inherited 
 A sort of passion in his loyalty : 
 In him it mounts to folty. 
 
 Lud. Yet Spalatro, 
 I'll make a murderer of him — know you not 
 He has a sister ? 
 
 Spal. Yes, the fair Evadne, 
 You once did love yourself. 
 
 Lud. There thou hast touched me. 
 And I am weak enough to love her yet, 
 If that indeed be love that doth consume me ; 
 It is a sort of monster in my heart, 
 Made up of horrid contrarieties ! 
 She scorns me for that smooth Vicentio — 
 Not only does he thwart me in my love, 
 But, well I know his influence in the state 
 Would, when the king is sent to paradise, 
 Be cast between me and the throne — he 
 
 dies ! — 
 Colonna too shall perish, and the crown 
 Shall with Evadne's love be mine. 
 
 Enter Officer, ub. 
 How now ? 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 2J 
 
 Officer. My lord, the lady Olivia 
 Waits on your highness. 
 
 hud. I desired her here, 
 And straight I will attend her. [Exit Officer, l.h. 
 With a straw 
 
 A town may be consumed, and I employ 
 This woman's passion for Vicentio, 
 As I would use a poison'd pin, to kill. 
 
 Spal. She long hath lov'd Vicentio. 
 
 hud. He shall wed her — 
 And from the hand of Hymen, death shall snatch 
 The nuptial torch, and use it for his own ! 
 I haste me to her presence. 
 {Takes out the King's picture.} Come ! fair bauble, 
 Thou now must be employed. — (To Spal.) — Dost 
 
 thou not think, 
 Even in this image, that he bears the soft 
 And wanton aspect with the which he bid me 
 To cater for his villanous appetite — 
 And with what luxury ? — Evadne's charms !— . 
 Evadne that I love ? — 
 
 Spal. But, didst thou not 
 Thyself evoke that passion in his breast? 
 
 hud. 1 did, 'tis true — but for mine own success, 
 I hate him ! 
 
 There is the very face with which he first 
 Pour'd his unholy wishes in mine ear — 
 Ha ! dost thou smile upon me ? — I will turn 
 Those glittering eyes, where love doth now in- 
 habit, 
 To two dark hollow palaces, for death 
 To keep his mouldering state in. 
 He dares to hope that I will make myself 
 
'U EVADNE ; 
 
 The, wretched officer of his desires, 
 
 And smooth the bed for his lascivious pleasures — 
 
 But I full soon will teach his royalty, 
 
 The beds I make are lasting ones, and lie 
 
 In the dark chambers of eternity ! [Exeunt, l.il 
 
 END OF ACT P. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I -— A Room in the Palace. 
 
 Enter Olivia and Ludovico, r.h. 
 
 Lad. Dispose of it as I instructed you ; 
 
 {Giving her the King's Picture.') 
 You know that I have pledged myself to make 
 Vicentio yours. To-day yourself have given 
 The means to turn that promise into deed. 
 
 Oliv. My own heart 
 Tells me, 'tis a bad office I have ta'en ; 
 But this unhappy passion drives me on, [crept, 
 And makes my soul your thrall — Thus I have 
 Obedient to your counsels, meanly crept 
 Into Evadne's soft, and trusting heart, 
 And coiled myself around her — Thus, my lord, 
 Have I obtained the page of amorous sighs 
 That you enjoined me to secure — 1 own 
 'Twas a false deed, but I am gone too far 
 To seek retreat, and will obey you still. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 25 
 
 Lud. And I will crown your passion with the 
 flowers 
 Of Hymen's yellow garland — Trust me, Olivia, 
 That once dissever'd from Evadne's love, 
 He will soon be taught to prize your nobler 
 
 frame, 
 And more enkindled beauty — Well, 'tis known 
 Ere he beheld the sorceress 
 He deemed you fairest of created things, 
 And would have proffered love, had not — 
 
 Oliv. I pray you, 
 With gems of flattery do not disturb 
 The fount of bitterness within my soul; — 
 For dropped tho' ne'er so nicely, they but stir 
 The poisoned waters as they fall. — I have said 
 I will obey you. 
 
 Lud. With this innocent page 
 Will I light up a fire within Vicentio, — 
 But you must keep it flaming ; — I have ta'en 
 Apt means to drive him into jealousy. [ear) 
 
 By scattering rumours (which have reached his 
 Before he comes to Naples, — e'en in Florence 
 Have T prepared his soft and yielding mind 
 To take the seal that I would fix upon it. 
 I do expect him with the fleeting hour, — 
 For, to my presence he must come to bear 
 His embassy's commission, and be sure 
 He leaves me with a poison in his heart, 
 Evadne's lips shall never suck away. 
 
 Oliv. Then will I hence, and if 'tis possible. 
 Your bidding* shall be done, — Vicentio ! 
 
26 EVADNE 
 
 Enter Vicentio, r.h, 
 
 Vic. Hail to my lord ! 
 
 Lud. Welcome, Vicentio ! 
 I have not clasp'd your hand this many a day ! 
 Welcome from Florence. In your absence, sir, 
 Time seemed to have lost his feathers. 
 
 Vic. It was kind 
 To waste a thought upon me. — Fair Olivia, 
 Florence hath dimmed mine eyes, or I must else 
 Have seen a sun-beam sooner. — (Crosses to cen- 
 tre.) — Fair Olivia, 
 How does your lovely friend ? 
 
 Oliv. What friend, my lord ? 
 
 Vic. I trust nought evil hath befallen Evadne, 
 That you should feign to understand me not. 
 How does my beautiful and plighted love ? 
 
 Oliv. How does she, sir ? I pray you, my good 
 lord 
 To ask such tender question of the king. 
 
 [Exit, L.H. 
 
 Vic. What meant she by the king ? ( Aside,) 
 
 Lud. You seem, Vicentio, 
 O'ershadow'd with reflection — should you 
 Not have used some soft detaining phrase to one, 
 Who should at least be pitied ? 
 
 Vic. I came here 
 To re-deliver to your hands, my lord, 
 The high commission of mine embassy, 
 That long delayed my marriage. You, I deem 
 My creditor, in having used your sway 
 In my recall to Naples. 
 
 Lud, In return for such small service. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 2f7 
 
 I hope 
 
 That you will not forget Ludovico, 
 
 When in the troop of thronging worshippers, 
 
 At distance you behold his stooping plume 
 
 Bend in humility. 
 
 Vic. What means my lord ? [fortune 
 
 Lud. Act not this ignorance — your glorious 
 Hath filled the common mouth — 
 Your image stands already in the mart 
 Of pictured ridicule. — Come, do not wear 
 The look of studied wonderment — you know 
 Howe'er I stand upon the highest place 
 In the king's favour, that you will full soon 
 Supplant the poor Ludovico. 
 
 Vic. I am no (Edipus. 
 
 Lud. You would have me speak in simpler 
 phrase ; Vicentio, 
 You are to be the favourite of the king. 
 
 Vic. The favourite of the king ! 
 
 Lud. Certes, Vicentio. 
 In our Italian courts, the generous husband 
 Receives his monarch's recompensing smile, 
 That with alchymic power, can turn the mass 
 Of dull opprobrious shame, to one bright heap 
 Of honour and emolument. 
 I bid you joy, my lord — why, how is this ? 
 Do you not yet conceive me ? Know you not 
 You are to wed the mistress of the king ? 
 Colonna's sister — aye, I have said it, sir, — 
 Now, do you understand me ? 
 
 Vic. Villain, thou liest ! 
 
 Lud. What ? are you not to marry her ? 
 
 Vic. Thou Uest ; 
 
28 EVADNE; 
 
 Tho' thou wert ten times what thou art already, 
 Not all the laurels heaped upon thy head 
 Should save thee from the lightnings of my 
 
 Lud. If it were my will, [wrath ! 
 
 The movement of my hand should beckon death 
 To thy presumption. But I have proved too oft 
 1 bore a fearless heart, to think you dare 
 To call me coward — and I am too wise 
 To think I can revenge an injury 
 By giving you my life. But I compassionate, 
 Nay, I have learned to esteem thee for a wrath, 
 That speaks thy noble nature. 
 Fare thee well ! (Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Thy pulse is now too fevered for the cure 
 I honestly intended — yet, before 
 I part, here take this satisfying proof 
 Of what a woman's made of. 
 
 {Gives him a letter.) 
 
 Vic. It is her character ! 
 Hast thou shed phospor on the innocent page, 
 That it has turned to fire ? 
 
 Lud. Thou hast thy fate. 
 
 Vic. 'Tis signed, " Evadne." 
 
 Lud. Yes, it is — farewell ! 
 
 Vic. For heaven's sake, hear me. — Stay.— 
 Oh, pardon me 
 For the rash utterance of a frantic man — 
 Speak ! in mercy speak ! 
 
 Lud. I will, 
 In mercy speak, indeed. — In mercy to 
 That fervid generosity of heart 
 That I behold within thee, 
 
 Vic. From whom is this ? 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 29 
 
 Lud. From whom ? look there ! 
 
 Vic. Evadne ! 
 
 Lud. 'Tis written to the king and to my hand. 
 For he is proud of it, as if it were 
 A banner of high victory, he bore it, 
 To evidence his vaiour.— It is grown 
 His cup-theme now, and your Evadne's name 
 Is lisped with all the insolence on his tongue 
 Of satiated triumph — he exclaims — 
 The poor Vicentio ! 
 
 Vic. The poor Vicentio ! 
 
 Lud. What ! shall he murder him ? — {Aside.) 
 — no, no, — Colonna ! 
 The poor Vicentio ! — and he oftentimes 
 Cries, that he pities you ! 
 
 Vic. He pities me ! 
 
 Lud. I own that some time I was infidel 
 To all the bombast vaunting of the king, 
 But— 
 
 Vic. 'Tis Evadne ! — I have gazed upon it, 
 In hope that with the glaring of mine eyes 
 I might burn out the false and treacherous 
 
 word — 
 But, still 'tis there — no more — else will it turn 
 My brain to a red furnace, — Look you, my lord- 
 Thus as I rend the cursed evidence 
 Of that vile woman's falsehood — thus I cast 
 My love into the winds, and as I tread 
 Upon the poisoned fragments of the snake 
 That stings me into madness, thus, Ludovico, 
 Thus do I trample on her ! 
 
 Lud. Have you ne'er heard, 
 For 'twas so widely scattered in the voice 
 4 
 
30 EVADNE ; 
 
 Of common rumour, that the very wind, 
 If it blew fair for Florence — 
 
 Vic. I have heard 
 Some whispers, which I long had flung away 
 With an incredulous hatred from my heart — 
 But now, this testimony has conjured 
 All other circumstances in one vast heap 
 Of damned certainty !— Farewell, my lord — 
 
 (Crosses to L.H.) 
 
 hud. Hear me, Vicentio, 
 Vengeance is left you still — the deadliest too 
 That a false woman can be made to feel: 
 Take her example — be not satisfied 
 With casting her for ever from your heart, 
 But to the place that she has forfeited, 
 Exalt a lovelier than— but I perceive 
 You are not in a mood to hear me now — 
 Some other time, Vicentio — and, meanwhile, 
 Despite your first tempestuous suddenness, 
 You will think that I but meant your honour well 
 In this proceeding. 
 
 Vic. I believe I owe you 
 That sort of desperate gratitude, my lord, 
 The dying patient owes the barbarous knife, 
 That delves in throes of mortal agony, 
 And tears the rooted cancer from his heart ! 
 
 [Exeunt, L.H. 
 
 SCENE II. — A Room in Colonna's Palace. 
 
 Enter Evadne, m.d. looking at a picture. 
 
 Evad. 'Tis strange he comes not ! thro' the 
 city's gate? 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 31 
 
 His panting courser passed before the sun 
 
 Had climbed to his meridian, yet he comes not ! — 
 
 Ah ! Vicentio, 
 
 To know thee near me, yet behold thee not, 
 
 Is sadder than to think thee far away ; 
 
 For I had rather that a thousand leagues 
 
 Of mountain ocean should dissever us, 
 
 Than thine own heart, Vicentio.— Sure, Vicentio, 
 
 If thou didst know with what a pining gaze 
 
 I feed mine eyes upon thine image here, 
 
 Thou wouldst not now leave thine Evadne's love 
 
 To this same cold idolatry. 
 
 Enter Olivia, unperceived, l.h.u.e. 
 
 I will swear 
 
 That smile's a false one, for it sweetly tells 
 
 No tarrying indifference. — Olivia ! [hours 
 
 Oliv. I have stolen unperceived upon your 
 Of lonely meditation, and surprised 
 Your soft soliloquies to that fair face. — 
 Nay, do not blush — reserve that rosy dawn 
 For the soft pressure of Vicentio's lips. 
 
 Evad. You mock me, fair Olivia, — I confess 
 That musing on my cold Vicentio's absence, 
 I quarrelled with the blameless ivory. 
 
 Oliv. He was compelled as soon as he arrived, 
 To wait upon the great Ludovico ; 
 Meanwhile your soft, expecting moments flow 
 In tender meditation on the face, 
 You dare to gaze upon in ivory 
 With fonder aspect, than when you behold 
 Its bright original; for then 'tis meet 
 
EVADNE 
 
 Your pensive brows be bent upon the ground. 
 
 And sighs as soft as zephyrs on the wave 
 
 Should gently heave your heart — Is it not so ? 
 
 Nay, do not now rehearse your part, I pray; — 
 
 Reserve those downcast lookings for Vicentio ; 
 
 That's a fair picture — let me, if you dare 
 
 Entrust the treasure to another's hand, 
 
 Let me look on it. (Takes Vicentio' 's picture.) 
 
 What a sweetness plays 
 
 On those half-opened lips ! — He gazed on you 
 
 When those bright eyes were painted. 
 
 Evad. You have got 
 A heart so free of care, that you can mock 
 Your pensive friend with such light merriment. 
 But hark ! I hear a step. 
 
 Oliv. (Aside,) Now fortune aid me 
 In her precipitation. 
 
 Evad. It is himself!— 
 Olivia, he is coming. — Well I know 
 My Lord Vicentio hastens to mine eyes ! 
 The picture — pr'ythee give it back tome— 
 I must constrain you to it. 
 
 Oliv. ( Who has substituted the picture of the 
 king.) It is in vain 
 To struggle with you then — with what a grasp 
 You rend it from my hand, as if it were 
 Vicentio that I had stolen away. 
 
 (Gives her the king's picture, which Evadne 
 places in her bosom.) 
 I triumph! — (Aside.) — He is coming — I must 
 
 leave you, 
 Nor interrupt the meeting of your hearts 
 By my officious presence [Exit, l.h. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 06 
 
 Evad. It is himself! 
 Swiftly he passes through the colonnade, 
 Oh ! Vicentio, 
 
 Thy coming bears me joy as bright as e'er 
 Beat thro' the heart of woman, that was made 
 For suffering, and for transport ! — Oh, Vicentio ! 
 
 Enter Vicentio, r.h. 
 
 Are you then come at last ? — do I once more 
 Behold my bosom's lord, whose tender sight 
 Is necessary for my happiness 
 As light for heaven !— My lord ! — Vicentio ! — 
 I blush to speak the transport in my heart, 
 But I am rapt to see you. 
 
 Vic. Dissembling woman ! {Aside.) 
 
 Evad. How is this, my lord ? 
 You look altered. [did ! 
 
 Vic, But you do not look altered — would you 
 Let me peruse the face where loveliness 
 Stays, like the light after the sun is set. 
 Sphered in the stillness of those heaven-blue eyes, 
 The soul sits beautiful ; the high white front, 
 Smooth as the brow of Pallas, seems a temple 
 Sacred to holy thinking ! and those lips 
 Wear the sweet smile of sleeping infancy, 
 They are so innocent. — Oh } Evadne, 
 Thou art not altered — would thou wert ! 
 
 Evad. Vicentio, [Vicentio, 
 
 This strangeness I scarce hoped for. — Say, 
 Has any ill befallen you ? — I perceive 
 That its warm bloom hath parted from your 
 Ah me ! you are not well, Vicentio. [cheek, 
 4 * 
 
o4 EVADNE; 
 
 Pic. In sooth, I am not. — There is in my 
 breast [anodyne, 
 
 A wound that mocks all cure — no salve, nor 
 Nor medicinal herb, can e'er allay 
 The festering of that agonizing wound 
 You have driven into my heart ! 
 
 Evad. I ? 
 
 Vic. Why, Evadne, 
 Why did you ever tell me that you loved me ? 
 Why was I not in mercy spurned away, 
 Scorned, like Ludovico ? for unto him 
 You dealt in honour, and despised his love : 
 But me you soothed and flattered — sighed and 
 blushed — [now 
 
 And smiled and wept, for you can weep ; (even 
 Your tears flow by volition, and your eyes 
 Convenient fountains have begun to gush,) 
 To stab me with a falsehood yet unknown 
 In falsest woman's perfidy ? 
 
 Evad. Vicentio, 
 Why am I thus accused ? What have I done ? 
 
 Vic. What ! — are you grown already an adept 
 In cold dissimulation ? Have you stopped 
 All access from your heart into your face ? 
 Do you not blush ? 
 
 Evad. I do, indeed, for you ! 
 
 Vic. The king ? 
 
 Evad. The king ? [high 
 
 Vic. Come, come, confess at once, and wear it 
 Upon your towering forehead — swell your port — 
 Away with this unseemly bashfulness, 
 That will be deemed a savageness at court- 
 Confront the talking of the busy world — 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 35 
 
 Tell them you are the mistress of the king. 
 Tell them you are Colonna's sister too ; 
 But hark you, madam — prithee do not say 
 You are Vicentio's wile ! (Crosses to l.h.) 
 
 Evad. Injurious man ! [heaven 
 
 Vic. The very winds from the four parts of 
 Blew it throughout the city — 
 
 Evad. And if angels 
 Cried, trumpet tongued, that I was false to you, 
 You should not have believed it. — You forget 
 Who dares to stain a woman's honesty, 
 Does her a wrong, as deadly as the brand 
 He fears upon himself. — Go, go, Vicentio — 
 You are not what I deemed you ! — Mistress ? 
 
 fie! 
 Go, go, Vicentio ! let me not behold 
 The man who has reviled me with a thought 
 Dishonouring as that one ! — {Crosses to l.h.) — 
 
 Oh ! Vicentio, 
 Do I deserve this of you ? 
 
 Vic. If I had wronged her ! — 
 
 Evad. I will not descend 
 To vindicate myself— dare to suspect me — ■ 
 My lord, I am to guess that you came here, 
 To speak your soul's revolt, and to demand 
 Your plighted vows again. — If for this 
 You tarry here, I freely give you back 
 Your late repented faith — Farewell forever ! 
 
 (As she is going out l.h. 
 
 Vic. Evadne ! 
 
 Evad. Well, my lord ?— 
 
 Vic. Evadne, stay ! — 
 
 Evad. Vicentio ! 
 
 f With a look of reproaching remonstrance.) 
 
36 EVADNE ; 
 
 Vic. Let me look in thy face — 
 Oh ! 'tis impossible ! — I was bemocked, 
 And. cheated by that villain! — nothing false 
 Sure ever looked like thee, and yet wilt thou 
 But swear — i — 
 
 Evad. What should I swear?— 
 Vic. That you did not 
 Betray me to the king. 
 
 Evad. Never! — 
 
 Vic. Nor e'er 
 Didst write in love to him ! [centio, 
 
 Evad. Oh ! never, never ! — I perceive, Vi- 
 Some villain hath abused thy credulous ear — - 
 But no ! — I will not now inquire it of thee—- 
 When I am calmer — I must hence betimes, 
 To chase these blots of sorrow from my face,—. 
 For if Colonna should behold me weep, 
 So tenderly he loves me, that I fear 
 His hot, tempestuous nature — Why, Vicentio, 
 Do you still wrong me with a wildered eye 
 That sheds suspicion ? 
 
 Vic. I now remember 
 Another circumstance, Ludovico 
 Did tell me as I came— I do not see 
 My picture on her bosom (Aside.) 
 
 Evad. Well Vicentio ? 
 
 Vic. When I departed hence, about your neck 
 I hung my pictured likeness, which mine eyes- 
 Made keen by jealous vigilance, perchance 
 Desire upon your breast. 
 
 Evad. And, is that all '? 
 And in such fond and petty circumstance 
 Seek you suspicion's nourishment ? — Vicentio. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 37 
 
 I must disclose my weakness — here, Vicentio, 
 I have pillowed your dear image on a heart 
 You should not have distrusted. 
 
 (She draws the king's picture from her bosom.) 
 
 Here it is 
 
 And now, my lord, suspect me, if you can. 
 
 Vic. (Starting.) A horrid phantom, more ac- 
 cursed than e'er 
 Yet crossed the sleep of frenzy, stares upon 
 Speak — speak at once — [me— 
 
 Or — let it blast thee too. 
 
 Evad. Sure some dark spell, 
 Some fearful witchery ; I am struck to ashes, — - 
 Amazement, like the lightning — give it me, 
 And I will fix it in my very eyes, 
 Clasp it against my sight — 'Tis not Vicentio ! — 
 
 Vio. It is the king ! — 
 
 Evad. Oh ! do not yield it faith, — 
 Give not thy senses credence ! Oh, Vicentio, 
 I am confounded, maddened, lost, Vicentio ! 
 Some daemon paints it on 'fhe coloured air — 
 'Tis not reality that starts upon me ! — 
 Oh ! hide it from my sight ! — 
 
 Vic. Chance has betrayed thee, [fraud, 
 
 And saves my periled honour — Here, thou all 
 Thou mass of painted perjury, — thou woman ! — 
 And now I have done with thee, and pray to 
 
 heaven 
 I ne'er may see thee more — But, hold ! — 
 Recall that wish again — The time will come 
 When I would look on thee — then, Evadne, 
 
 then, 
 When the world's scorn is on thee, let me see 
 
W EVADNE. 
 
 Thee, old in youth, and bending 'neath the load 
 Of sorrow, not of time — then let me see thee, 
 And mayest thou, as I pass, lift up thy head 
 But once from the sad earth, and then Evadne, 
 Look down again for ever ! [Exit, r.h, 
 
 Enter Colonna, m.d. in time to see Vicentio go off. 
 
 (Evadne at first not perceiving that he is gone t 
 and recovering from her stupefaction.) 
 Evad. I will swear — 
 Give it back to me— Oh ! I am innocent! 
 
 (She rushes up to Colonna, who advances to 
 r.h. mistaking him for a moment for Vi- 
 centio.) 
 By heaven, 1 am innocent ! 
 
 Col. Who dares to doubt it, — 
 Who knows thee of that noble family 
 That cowardice in man, or wantonness 
 In woman never tarnished ? — 
 
 Evad. He is gone ! — (Aside.) 
 
 Col. But how is this, Evadne ? In your face 
 I read a wildered air has ta'en the place 
 Of that placidity that used to shine 
 For ever on thy holy countenance. 
 
 Evad. Now, as 1 value my Vicentio's life — 
 Col. One of love's summer clouds, 1 doubt me, 
 sister, 
 Hath floated o'er you, tho' 'twere better far 
 That it had left no rain drops. — What has hap- 
 pened ? 
 Evad. There's nothing has befallen, onlv- 
 CqL What, only? 
 
OR, THE STATUE; 39 
 
 Evad. I pray your pardon me— I must begone ! 
 
 Col. Evadne, stay ! let me behold you well- 
 Why do you stand at distance ? nearer still, 
 Evadne ! — 
 
 Evad. Well? 
 
 Col. Vicentio — 
 
 Evad. (Assuming an affected lightness of manner.) 
 Why, Colonna — 
 
 Think you that I'm without my sex's arts, 
 And did not practise all the torturings 
 That make a woman's triumph ? 
 
 Col. 'Twas not well. 
 I hoped thee raised above all artifice 
 That makes thy sex but infancy matured. 
 I was at first inclined to follow him, 
 And ask what this might mean ? 
 
 Evad. Then he had told 
 That I had played the tyrant. — Had you seen 
 How like my peevish lap-dog he appeared 
 Just beaten with a fan. — Ha ! ha ! Colonna, 
 You will find us all alike.— Ha ! ha ! my heart 
 Will break. (Bursts into tears.) 
 
 Col. Farewell! 
 
 Evad. What would you do? 
 
 Col. Let all the world 
 Hold me a slave, and hoard upon my head 
 Its gathered infamy — be all who bear 
 Colonna's name scorn-blighted — may disgrace 
 Gnaw off all honour from my family, 
 If I permit an injury to thee 
 To 'scape Colonna's vengeance !— 
 
 Evad. Hold, my brother ! 
 I will not leave thy sight ! 
 
40 EVADNE 
 
 Col Then follow me, 
 And if thou art abandoned, after all 
 Vicentio's plighted faith, thou shalt behold — • 
 By heavens, an emperor should not do thee 
 
 wrong, 
 Or if he did, tho' I had a thousand lives, 
 I had given them all to avenge thee. — I'll inquire 
 Into this business ; and if I find 
 Thou hast lost a lover, I will give him proof, 
 I've my right arm, and thou thy brother still. 
 
 [Exeunt, r.h» 
 
 END OF ACT II. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. — A Street in Naples ;—the front of 
 Olivia's House, r.h.d.f. 
 
 Enter Ludovico and Vicentio, l.h. 
 
 hud. There is Olivia's house ! 
 Vic. Thou hast resolved me. 
 I thank thee for thy counsel, and at once 
 
 [Crosses to r.h.) 
 Speed to its dreadful performance. 
 
 [He raps r.h.d.f.) 
 
 Enter a Servant, r.h.d.f. 
 'Bides the lady Olivia in her home ? 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 41 
 
 Serv. She does, my lord. [Exit, r.h.d.f. 
 
 Vic. Farewell, Ludovico ! thou seest, my friend, 
 For such I ever hold thee, that I pass 
 The stream of destiny. Thou sayest, Ludovico, 
 'Tis necessary for my fame. 
 
 Lud. No less. — 
 By marrying Olivia you disperse 
 The noises that abroad did sully you, 
 Of having given consent to play the cloak 
 To the king's dalliance. 
 
 Vic. Oh, speak of it 
 No more, Ludovico — farewell, my friend, 
 I will obey your counsels. — [Exit into Olivia's 
 
 Lud. Fare you well, [house, 
 
 My passionate, obsequious instrument, 
 Whom now I scorn so much, I scarcely let thee 
 Reach to the dignity of being hated. 
 
 Enter the King, l.h. disguised. 
 
 King. My faithful servant, my Ludovico ! 
 
 Lud. My prince ! I did not hope to meet you 
 here ! 
 What, in this masqued attire, has made you veil 
 The dazzling brightness of your royalty, 
 And led you from your palace ? 
 
 King. I have ta'en 
 Concealment's wonted habit, to escape 
 The hundred eyes of curiosity, 
 And, wearied with the rotatory course 
 Of dull unchanging pleasure, sought for thee. 
 Shall she be mine, Ludovico ? 
 
 Lud, My liege, 
 5 
 
42 EVADNE • 
 
 I marvel not at the impatient throb 
 Of restless expectation in your heart. 
 And know, my liege, that not in vain I toil, 
 To waft you to her bosom, for Vicentio 
 Renounces her for ever ! and but moved 
 By my wise counsels, hath already prayed 
 The fair Olivia's hand. 
 
 King. How, my Ludovico, 
 Didst thou accomplish it ? 
 
 Lud. I turned to use 
 The passion of Olivia ; while Evadne traced 
 A letter to Vicentio, suddenly 
 The news of his expected coming reached 
 Her panting breast, and in the rush of joy, 
 Unfinished on her table did she leave 
 The page of amorous wishes, which the care 
 Of unperceived Olivia, haply seized, 
 And bore unto my hand. — Vicentio's name 
 Was drowned in hurried vocatives of love, 
 As thus — " My lord — my life — my soul,' 1 — the 
 
 which 
 I made advantage of, and did pursuade him 
 'Twas written to your highness, — and with lights 
 Caught from the very torch of truest love, 
 I fired the furies' brands — 
 
 King. My faithful friend! 
 
 Lud. Then with your picture did Olivia work 
 Suspicion into frenzy — when he came 
 From your Evadne's house, I threw myself, 
 As if by fortune, in his path :-— I urged 
 His heated passions to my purposes, 
 And bade him ask Olivia's hand, to prove 
 How much he scorned her falsehood. — Even now 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 43 
 
 He makes his suit, for there Olivia dwells, 
 And as you came, he entered. 
 
 King. But wherein 
 Will this promote the crowning of my love ? 
 
 Lud. I said Colonna's self should be the first 
 To lead you to her arms — 
 
 King. Thou didst, Ludovico, 
 The which perform'd, I'll give thee half my 
 
 realm. ( Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 Lud. (Aside.) You shall give all ! 
 
 King. Accomplish this, my friend, 
 Thou art my great Apollo ! 
 
 Lud. No, my liege, 
 You shall be Jove, and in her arms to-night, 
 Will taste more joys than the Olympian did 
 In golden showers in Danae's yielding heart — 
 
 King. Ludovico, thou art as dear to me 
 As the rich circle of my royalty. 
 Farewell, Ludovico, I shall expect 
 Some speedy tidings from thee — fare thee well ! 
 To-night, Ludovico. [Exit, r.h, 
 
 Lud. To-night, you perish ! 
 Colonna's dagger shall let out your blood, 
 And lance your wanton, and high-swelling veins,- 
 That 1 should stoop to such an infamy ! 
 Evadne here ! 
 
 Enter Evadne, l.h. 
 
 Not for the king, but for myself I mean, 
 A feast fit for the gods ! 
 Evad. ( With some agitation.) My Lord Ludo- 
 vico— 
 
44 EVADNE ; 
 
 Lud. The beautiful Evadne ! 
 What would the brightest maid of Italy 
 Of her poor servant? 
 
 Evad. Sir, may I entreat 
 Your knowledge where the Count Vicentio 
 'Bides at this present instant? I have been in- 
 He 'companied you here. [formed 
 
 Lud, It grieves me sore 
 He hath done you so much wrong. 
 
 Evad. What may you mean ? 
 
 Lud. 'Tis talked of in the whispering gallery, 
 Where envy holds her court : [like 
 
 Who would have thought Vicentio's heart was 
 A play-thing stuck with Cupid's lightest plumes 
 Thus to be tossed from one heart to another ? 
 Or rather, who had thought that you were made 
 For such abandonment ? 
 
 Evad. I scarce can guess — 
 
 Lud. I did not mean to touch so nice a wound, 
 If you desire to learn where now he 'bides, 
 I can inform you. 
 
 Evad. Where, Ludovico? 
 
 Lud. Yonder, Evadne, in Olivia's house. 
 
 Evad. Olivia's house? what would he there? 
 
 Lud. You know 
 Vicentio and Olivia are to-day — 
 
 Evad. My lord ? 
 
 Lud. Are to be married — 
 
 Evad. Married, my lord ? 
 Vicentio and Olivia to be married ? — 
 
 Lud. I am sorry that it moves you thus-— 
 Evadne ; 
 Had I been used as that ingrate. be sure 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 4b 
 
 I ne'er had proved like him — I would not thus 
 Have flung thee like a poppy from my heart, 
 A drowsy sleep- provoking flower: — Evadne, 
 I had not thus deserted you ! [Exit, r.h. 
 
 Evad. Vicentio, 
 Olivia and Vicentio to be married 1 
 I heard it — yes — 1 am sure « did — Vicentio ! 
 Olivia to be married ! — and Evadne, 
 Whose heart was made of adoration — 
 Vicentio in her house ? there — underneath 
 That woman's roof— behind the door that looks 
 To shut me out from hope. — 1 will myself — 
 
 {Advancing, then checking herself.) 
 I do not dare to do it — but he could not — 
 He could not use me thus — he could not, — Ha ! 
 
 Enter Vicentio, from Olivia's house, r.h.d.f, 
 
 Vic. Evadne here ? 
 
 Evad. Would I had been born blind, 
 Not to behold the fatal evidence 
 Of my abandonment! — Am I condemned 
 Even by the ocular proof, to be made sure 
 That I'm a wretch for ever ! — 
 
 Vic. [Advances r.h.) Does she come 
 To bate me with reproaches ? or does she dare 
 To think that she can angle me again 
 To the vile pool wherein she meant to catch me ? 
 I'll pass her with the bitterness of scorn, 
 Nor seem to know her present to my sight. 
 
 {Crosses to l.h. and passes Evadne.} 
 Now I am least revenged, (Going, l.h.) 
 
 5* 
 
46 EVADNE; 
 
 Evad. My lord, I pray you— 
 My lord, I dare entreat — Vicentio — 
 
 Vic. Who calls upon Vicentio ? Was it you ? 
 What would you with him, for I bear the name. 
 
 Evad. Sir, I — 
 
 Vic. Go on.-PH taunt her to the q\iick.-{Aside.) 
 
 Evad. My lord, I— 
 
 Vic. I pray you speak — I cannot guess 
 By such wild broken phrase what you would have 
 Of one who knows you not. 
 
 Evad. Not know me ? 
 
 Vic. No— 
 Let me look in your face — there is indeed 
 Some faint resemblance to a countenance 
 Once much familiar to Vicentio's eyes, 
 But 'tis a shadowy one ; — she that I speak of 
 Was full of virtues as the milky way 
 Upon a frozen night is thick with stars. 
 She was as pure as an untasted fountain, 
 Fresh as an April blossom, kind as love, 
 And good as infants giving charity ! — 
 Such was Evadne : — fare you well ! 
 
 Evad. My lord, 
 Is't true what I've heard ? — 
 
 Vic. What have you heard 1 
 
 Evad. Speak — are you to be married — let 
 me hear it — 
 Thank heav'n I've strength to hear it. 
 
 Vic. I scarce guess 
 What interest you find in one that deems 
 Himself a stranger to you. 
 
 Evad. Sir — 
 
 Vic. But if 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 
 
 You are indeed solicitous to learn 
 Aught that imports me, learn that I to-day 
 Have asked the fair Olivia's hand, in place of 
 one — 
 
 Evad. You have bedewed with tears, and that 
 henceforth 
 Will feel no lack of tears, though they may fall 
 From other eyes than yours.— So then, Vicentio, 
 Fame did not wrong you. — You are to be mar- 
 ried ?— 
 
 Vic. To one within whose heart as pure a fire 
 As in the shrine of Vesta long has burned. 
 Not the course flame of a corrupted heart, 
 To every worship dedicate alike, 
 A false perfidious seeming. — 
 
 Evad. I implore you 
 To spare your accusations. — I am come — 
 
 Vic. Doubtless to vindicate yourself. — 
 
 Evad. Oh, no !— 
 An angel now would vainly plead my cause 
 Within Vicentio's heart — therefore, my lord, 
 I have no intent to interrupt the rite 
 That makes that lady yours ; but I am come 
 Thus breathless as you see me — would to heav'n 
 I could be tearless too ! — you will think, perhaps, 
 That 'gainst the trembling fearfulness I sin, 
 That best becomes a woman, and that most 
 Becomes a sad abandoned one. — 
 
 Vic. Evadne — 
 Evadne, you deceive yourself. 
 
 Evad. 1 knew 
 I should encounter this — 
 But I will endure it— nay, more, my lord, 
 
48 EVABryfE; 
 
 Hear all the vengeance I intend. — 
 
 Vic. Go on. — [maid 
 
 Exad. May you be happy with that happier 
 That never could have loved you more than I do, 
 But may deserve you better ! — May your days, 
 Like a long- stormiess summer, glide away, 
 And peace and trust be with you ! — 
 And when at last you close your gentle lives, 
 Blameless as they were blessed, may you fall 
 Inio the grave as softly, as the leaves 
 Of two sweet roses on an autumn eve, 
 Beneath the soft sighs of the western wind, 
 Drop to the earth together ! — for myself — 
 I will but pray— {Sobbing.) — I will but pray, my 
 lord. [regain 
 
 Vic. {Aside.) I must begone, else she may soon 
 A mastery o'er my nature. 
 
 Evad. Oh, Vicentio, 
 I see that I am doomed a trouble to you. 
 1 shall not long be so. 
 There's but one trouble I shall ever give 
 To any one again. I will but pray 
 The maker of the lonely beds of peace 
 To open one of his deep hollow ones, 
 Where misery goes to sleep, and let me in ; — - 
 If ever you chance to pass beside my grave, 
 I am sure you'll not refuse a little sigh, 
 And if my tr.end, (I still will call her so) 
 My friend, Olivia, chide you, pr'ythee tell her 
 Not to be jealous of me in my grave. 
 
 Vic. The picture ! in your bosom — near your 
 heart- 
 There on the very swellings of your breast,\ 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 49 
 
 The very shrine of chastity, you raised 
 
 A foul and cursed idol ! [moment 
 
 Evad. You did not give me time — no — not a 
 To think what villainy was wrought to make me. 
 So hateful to your eyes. — It is too late, 
 You are Olivia's, I have no claim to you — 
 You have renounced me — 
 
 Fie. Come, confess — confess — 
 
 Evad. What then should I confess ? that you, 
 that heaven, 
 That all the world seem to conspire against me, 
 And that I am accursed. —But let me hold — 
 1 waste me in the selfishness of woe, 
 While life perchance is periled. — Oh, Vicentio, 
 Prithee avoid Colonna's sight ! 
 
 Vic. Evadne ? — 
 You do not think to frighten me with his name ? 
 
 Evad. Vicentio, do not take away from me 
 All that I've left to love in all the world ! 
 Avoid Colonna's sight to-day. — Vicentio, 
 Only to-day avoid him, — I will find 
 Some way to reconcile him to my fate— 
 I'll lay the blame upon my hapless head ! — 
 Only to-day, Vicentio. 
 
 Enter Colonna, r.ii.s.e. 
 
 Col. (r.h.) Ha ! my sister ! 
 Where is thy dignity? Where is the pride 
 Meet for Colonna's sister ? — hence ! — My lord— - 
 
 Vic. (l.h.) What would you, sir ? 
 
 Col. Your life : — you are briefly answered. 
 Look here, sir. — To this lady you preferred 
 
50 EVADNE ; 
 
 Your despicable love ! Long did you woo, 
 And when at last by constant adoration, 
 Her sigh revealed that you were heard, you 
 gained [more— 
 
 Her brother's cold assent. — Well then — no 
 For I've no patience to repeat by cause 
 The wrong that thou hast done her. It has 
 
 reached 
 Colonna's ear that you have abandoned her — • 
 It rings thro' Naples, my good lord — now, mark 
 I am her brother — [me— 
 
 Vic. Well— 
 
 Evad. {In centre.) Forbear ! forbear ! 
 I have no injury you should resent 
 In such a fearful fashion. — I — my brother — 
 I am sure 1 never uttered a complaint 
 Heaved with one sigh, nor shed a single tear. 
 Look at me, good Colonna ! — now, Colonna 
 Can you discern a sorrow in my face ? 
 I do not weep — I do not — look upon me — 
 Why I can smile, Colonna. {Bursts into tears.) 
 Oh ! my brother ! — 
 
 Col. You weep, Evadne ! but I'll mix your tears 
 With a false villain's blood. — If you have left 
 A sense of aught that's noble in you still — 
 
 Vic. My lord, you do mistake, if you have hope 
 Vicentio's name was e'er designed to be 
 The cloak of such vile purpose— 
 
 Col. How? explain — 
 I understand you not. 
 
 Evad. Forbear, Colonna ; 
 Before your face, and in the face of heaven } 
 I do resign him ; — 1 forgive him, 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 51 
 
 And may heaven follow my example too ! 
 
 Col. But 1 will not, Evadne. — I shall deal 
 In briefest phrase with you. — Is't true, my lord, 
 You have abandoned her ? 
 
 Vic. Is't true, my lord, 
 That to the king— 
 
 Col. The king ? 
 
 Vic. And could you think 
 That I am to be made an instrument 
 For such a foul advancement ? do you think 
 That 1 would turn my name into a cloak ? — 
 
 Evad. Colonna, my dear brother. Oh, Vi= 
 centio ! 
 My love, my life, my — pardon me, my lord, 
 I had forgot — I have no right to use 
 Words that were once familiar to my lips : 
 But, for heaven's sake, I do implore you here— 
 
 Col. Sir, you said something, if I heard aright, 
 Touching the king ; — explain yourself. 
 
 Vic. 1 will ! 
 I will not wed his mistress ! 
 
 Evad. ( With reproach.) Oh, Vicentio ! 
 
 Col. Whom mean you, sir ? 
 
 Vic. Look there ! 
 
 Col. Evadne ! ha ? 
 
 Vic. Evadne ! 
 
 Col. (Crosses to centre, and strikes him with 
 his glove.) Here's my answer! follow 
 me! 
 Beyond the city's gates, I shall expect you. 
 
 . . [Exit,L.n. 
 
 Evad. (Clinging to Vicentio, who has his sword 
 drawn, and kneeling to him,) You shall 
 vM stir ? 
 
52 EVADNE ; 
 
 Vic. If from his heart I poured 
 A sea of blood, it would not now content me. 
 Insolent villain ! dost thou stay me back ? 
 Away ! unloose me ! 
 
 Evad. Olivia, hear me — listen to my cry — 
 It is thy husband's life that now I plead for ; 
 Save, oh, save him ! [! am free, 
 
 Vic. Then must I fling thee from me. — Now 
 And swilt as lightning on the whirlwind's wings, 
 I rush to my revenge ! [Exit, l.h. 
 
 Evad. ( Who has fallen upon her knees in her 
 struggle with Vicentio.) Oh ! my poor 
 heart ! 
 Choak not, thou struggling spirit, in my breast 
 Hear me, Olivia ! — Olivia, hear me ! 
 
 Enter Olivia from her house, m.d. 
 
 Oliv. (r.h.) Is't Evadne calls 
 Like one that with a frantic energy 
 In fire cries out for life ? 
 
 Evad. (l.h.) I cry for life — 
 Vicentio's life — Colonna's life — Olivia, 
 I beg thee to preserve him ! 
 
 Oliv. Whom dost talk of? 
 
 Evad. You have power o'er him that I no 
 more possess, 
 Had he e'er loved me as he loves thee now, 
 I had been stronger when around his neck 
 1 flung me to preserve hirn. — Oh, my friend! 
 Coionna, maddened at my miseries, 
 And I confess that 1 am miserable, 
 Hath vowed a horrid vengeance, and even bow 
 He smote Vicentio f 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 53 
 
 Oliv. Heaven ! 
 
 Evad. I pri'thee, look not 
 Misdoubtingly upon me — 
 Hast thou not wings to save him ? 
 
 Oliv. Thou art avenged, Evadne ! — To himself 
 I dare not own it — but to thee reveal 
 The vileness I have practised. 
 
 Evad. Speak ! 
 
 Oliv. In the wild rapturous tremor of thy joy, 
 I seized advantage of Vicentio's coming, 
 And placed within thine unsuspecting hand — 
 
 Evad. That horrid image that appeared to fill 
 My bosom with perdition, and did make me 
 Unto myself so horrible — 'twas you — 
 It was my friend Olivia ! 
 
 Oliv. I myself, 
 Will to the king, and bid him send his power 
 To interpose between them — thou, Evadne, 
 Wilt speak my guilt. [Exit, r.h. 
 
 Evad. Oh, my Vicentio ! 
 I fly to save and comfort you ! [Exit, l.h-. 
 
 END OF ACT Ilf. 
 
54 EVADNE ; 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I.— The Bay, and View of Naples, 
 
 Enter Colonna and Vicentio, l.h. with their 
 swords drawn; — passing across to r.h. 
 
 Col Yonder, my lord, beside the cypress 
 grove [thinks, 
 
 Fast by the church-yard — there's a place, me- 
 Where we may 'scape the eye of observation. 
 Vic. I follow, sir — the neighbourhood of the 
 grave 
 Will suit our purpose well, for you or I 
 Must take its measure ere the sun be set. 
 
 [Exeunt, r.h, 
 
 Enter Ludovico, l.h.s.e. as they go off. 
 
 hud. Ha ! there they go ! — the furies, with 
 
 their whips 
 Of hissing serpents, lash you to your fate— 
 My dull and passionate fools — you fall at last 
 into the pit 1 have dug for you — the grave. — 
 You grasp the murdering hilt, while I, in thought, 
 Already clench the glorious staff of empire. 
 I hate you both ! — One of you has denounced 
 
 me— 
 The other, robbed me of a woman's love. 
 They have already entered in the grove 
 Of funeral cypresSo—Now they are lost 
 
OR, THE STATUE. oo 
 
 Amid the crowded trunks — and yet a moment 
 And they will be about it I — Now, Vicentio, 
 Thy fate is sealed. — Colonna's arm — 
 Ha ! who comes here ? 
 Evadne ! — yes — my eyes deceive me not — 
 7 Twas happiest chance that led me to the field — 
 She must be interrupted — let me think — 
 I have it — 
 
 Enter Evadne, l.h. 
 
 Evad. For heaven's sake, whoe'er you are, 
 Tell me which way they passed — doth not this 
 
 lead [vico ! 
 
 To the eastern gate of the city. — Ha ! Ludo- 
 My lord, my lord — my brother, and Vicentio — 
 
 Lud. I know it all — and I shall thank the fate 
 That made Ludovico the messenger 
 Of such blest tidings to Evadne's ear — 
 Your brother and Vicentio. 
 
 Evad. Speak, my lord — 
 For heaven's sake, speak ! 
 
 Lud. They are secure — thank heaven, 
 Their purpose is prevented. — 
 
 Evad. Secure ! 
 My brother and Vicentio are secure. 
 
 Lud. By providential circumstance, before 
 Their purpose was accomplished, both were 
 
 seized, 
 And all their furious passions are as hushed 
 As the still waters of yon peaceful bay. 
 
 Evad. Ludovico, I cannot speak how much 
 Thou hast bound me to thee, by the holy sounds 
 
5£ EVADNE; 
 
 Thou hast breathed upon mine ear ! — But, tell 
 
 me, sir, [hand — 
 
 Where, how, and when was this ?■ — What blessed 
 Speak, my lord. 
 
 Liicl. 'Twas I! 
 
 Evad. 'Twas you, Ludovico ? 
 
 hud. The same ! 
 Hearing Olivia's marriage with Vicentio, 
 I saw the dreadful issue, and I flew 
 With the strong arm of power to intercept them, 
 
 Evad. 'Twas you, Ludovico — what shall I 
 say ? [you ! 
 
 I know not what to tell you. — But, heav'n bless 
 A thousand times heav'n bless you ! — On my 
 
 knees, 
 And at your feet I thank you. (Kneels.) 
 
 hud. Beautiful Evadne ! 
 Loveliest beneath the skies, where every thing 
 Grows lovely as themselves — Nay do not bend 
 Your eyes, and hide beneath these fleecy clouds 
 Stars beaming as the evening one, nor turn 
 That cheek away, that, like a cold rose, seems 
 Besprankt with snow ! — nor strive to win from 
 
 me [formed 
 
 Those hands, which he who formed the lily, 
 With imitative whiteness — I will presume, 
 For your dear sight hath made a madman of me, 
 To press my rapture here — (Kisses her hand.) 
 
 Evad. My lord, I own, 
 That you surprise me, and were 1 not bound 
 By strenuous obligation, I should say, 
 Perchance you did offend me — But I will not I 
 Accept my gratitude, and be you sure 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 
 
 These thanks are from a warm and honest heart. 
 Farewell — I do forgive 
 
 hud. You fly me then ! 
 
 Evad. I do not fly your presence, but I go 
 To seek my brother's bosom — 
 
 hud. And VicentiO's ! 
 
 Evad. You would be merry, sir. 
 
 Lud. I have not cause — 
 Nor shall you, madam — You would fly me thus, 
 To rush at once into my rival's arms — 
 Nay, do not start — he well deserves the name — 
 I know him by no other. 
 
 Evad. Sir, I hope 
 You will not revive a subject that has long 
 Between us been forgotten. 
 
 hid. What ! forgotten ? 
 I did not think to hear it — said you forgotten ? 
 Nay, do not think you leave me — in return 
 For such small service as I have done to-day, 
 I beg your audience — tell me what's forgotten ? 
 I would hear it from your lips. 
 
 Evad. I did not mean — 
 Forgive, and let me go. [Crosses to r.h.) 
 
 hud. What ? what forgotten ? 
 Your heartlessness to all the maddening power 
 Of the tumultuous passions in my heart ! — 
 What ! what forgotten ? all the injuries 
 You have cast upon my head — the stings of fire 
 You have driven into my soul — my agonies, 
 My tears, my supplications, and the groans 
 Of my indignant spirit ! I can hold 
 My curbed soul no more — it rushes out ! 
 What ? what forgotten ? — me — Ludovico 1 
 6* 
 
58 EVADNE ; 
 
 Evad. I pray you, my good lord, for heaven's 
 sake, hear me. 
 
 Lud. What ! to behold him, like a pilferer, 
 With his smooth face of meanless infancy, 
 And his soft moulded body, steal away 
 That feathered thing, thy heart. 
 
 Evad. Ludovico, 
 What may this sudden fury mean ? — you do 
 But act these horrid passions to affright me ! 
 For you to-day preserved him, did you not ? 
 Did you not say you saved Vicentio ? 
 
 Lud. 1 will permit you shortly to embrace 
 him — 
 I will not long detain you from his arms — 
 But you will find him grown as cold a lover 
 As moonlight statues — his fond arms will hang- 
 In loosened idleness about your form, — [bibe 
 And from those lips where you were wont t'im- 
 The fiery respiration of the heart, [snow. 
 
 You will touch the coldness of the unsunned 
 Without its purity. 
 
 Evad. I now perceive [deem 
 
 What you would hint, my lord : — doubtless you 
 Vicentio hath preferred Oliva's love ? 
 
 Lud. If you can wake his heart to love again, 
 I'll hold you for a sorceress — no, Evadne, 
 You ne'er shall be Vicentio's — but mine ! 
 
 Evad. Yours ! 
 
 Lud. Mine ! — I have said it, and before to-night 
 I'll verify the prophecy. 
 
 Evad. I know not 
 What lies within the dark and horrid cave 
 Of your imagination ; but be sure 
 
OR, THE STATUE. (^ 
 
 I had rather clasp Vicentio dead — I see 
 That you recoil with passion. 
 
 Lud. By the fires — [rather 
 
 Down, down, my burning heart ! — So you would 
 Within Vicentio's cold and mouldering shroud 
 Warm into love, than on this beating heart ? 
 But, be it so — you will have occasion soon 
 To try the experiment — and then, Evadne, 
 You will more aptly judge. 
 
 Evad. Ha ! a strong glare, [poured 
 
 Like the last flash from sinking ships, has 
 A horrid radiance on me — Ha ! Ludovico — 
 Let it be frenzy that before my face 
 Spreads out that sheet of blood — 
 
 Lud. Well, my Evadne ? 
 
 Evad. Daemon, hast thou mocked me ? 
 
 Lud. Didst thou not scorn — didst thou not 
 Didst thou not — Ha ! [madden me ? 
 
 (Seeing Colonna, crosses to r.h.) 
 By heavens, it is himself! — 
 All is accomplished — and upon my front 
 Methinks I clasp the round of royalty ! 
 Already do I clasp thee in mine arms ! — 
 Evadne ! — There — look there — Colonna comes, 
 
 (Crosses to l.h.) 
 And on that weapon flaming from afar 
 He bears the vengeance of Ludovico. [Exit, l.h. 
 
 Enter Colonna, r.h., with his szvord bloody, 
 
 Col. Evadne here ! 
 Evad. My brother ! 
 Col. Call me so — 
 
60 EVADNE ; 
 
 For I have proved myself to be thy brother. 
 Look here ! — 
 
 Evad. There's blood upon it ! 
 
 Col. And there should be. 
 
 Evad. Thou hast — 
 
 Col. I have revenged thee ! 
 
 Evad. Thou hast slain — 
 Villain, thou hast slain Vicentio ? 
 
 Col. I have revenged thee — 
 For any wrong done to my single self, 
 I should, perhaps, repent me of the deed ; 
 But, for a wrong to thee — Why dost thou look 
 Up to the heavens with such a bewildered gaze ? 
 
 Evad. To curse thee, and myself, and all the 
 world ! [slain him 
 
 Villain, thou hast slain Vicentio ! — thou hast 
 Who was as dear unto my frantic heart, 
 As thou art horrible ! — and 'tis to me 
 Thou comest to tell it too — thou comest to bear 
 That weapon weltering with my lover's blood, 
 And stab these blasted eye-balls — Hide thee, 
 
 villain ! 
 Hide thee within the centre of the earth! — 
 Thou art all made of blood — and to the sun [tio ! 
 Art grown detestable — (Crosses to r.h.) — Vicen- 
 My lord ! my bosom's throb ! — my pulse of life ! 
 My soul ! my joy — my love ! — my all the 
 Vicentio ! Vicentio ! — (Crosses to l.h.) [world?! 
 
 Col. Thy passionate grief 
 Doth touch me more than it beseems mine 
 
 honour. [my heart ! 
 
 Evad. Strike that infernal weapon through 
 Colonna, kill rne ! 
 Kill me, my brother ! 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 61 
 
 Col. Prithee, my Evadne, 
 Let me conduct thy grief to secresy — 
 I must from hence prepare my speedy flight, 
 For now my head is forfeit to the law ! 
 
 Enter Spalatro, with Officer and eight Guards, r.h, 
 
 Spal. Behold him here. Sir, I am sorry for 
 The duty which mine office hath prescribed ! 
 You are my prisoner. 
 
 Col. Sir, there is need 
 Of little words to excuse you — I was talking 
 Of speeding me from Naples, as you came, 
 But I scare grieve you interrupt my flight, — 
 Here is my sword. 
 
 Spal. You are doomed to death ! 
 
 Kvad. To death ! 
 
 Spal. The king himself, 
 Hearing your combat with Vicentio, 
 Hath sworn, that who survived, shall by the axe — 
 
 Col. You speak before a woman — I was well 
 Acquainted with my fate before you spoke it. 
 
 Evad. Death ! must you die, Colonna ! must 
 you die ? 
 Oh ! no — no — no ! not die, sir, — say not die — 
 
 {Crosses to centre.) 
 
 Col. Retire, my sister — sir, I follow you — 
 
 Evad. Oh, not die, Colonna ! no Colonna, 
 They shall not take thee from me ! 
 
 CoU My sweet sister ! 
 1 pray you, gentlemen, one moment more— 
 This lady is my sister, and indeed 
 
tf2 EVADNE ; 
 
 Is now my only kin in all the world, 
 
 And I must die for her sake — my sweet sister ! 
 
 Evad. No, no, not die, my brother — Oh ! not 
 die! 
 
 Col. Evadne ! sweet Evadne ! Let me hear 
 
 (Evadne becomes gradually insensible.) 
 Thy voice before I go— I prithee, speak — 
 That even in death I may remember me 
 Of its sweet sounds, Evadne — She has fainted ! 
 Sir, I have a prayer to you. — 
 
 Spal. It shall be granted. 
 
 Col. My palace is hard by — let some of these 
 Good guardians of the law attend me thither. 
 Evadne, for thy sake, I am almost loth 
 To leave a world, the which, when I am gone, 
 Thou wilt find, I fear, a solitary one ! 
 
 [Exit, bearing Evadne, and followed by Spala- 
 tro and Guards, l.h. 
 
 SCENE II. — j3 Prison. 
 
 Enter Ludovico, r.h. meeting Spalatro, l.h. 
 
 hud. Where is Colonna ? — Not yet arrived ? 
 
 Spal. Guarded he bore 
 His sister to his palace, from the which 
 He will be soon led here. — 
 
 had. Spalatro, as I pass'd, a rumour came, 
 Colonna's sword had but half done the work, 
 And that Vicentio was not stabbed to death — 
 If he still lives — but till I am sure of it. 
 No need to speak my resolution,— 
 Thou art his friend — 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 63 
 
 Spal. Such I'm indeed accounted, 
 But, save yourself, none doth deserve the name, 
 Lud. Then, hie thee hence, Spalatro, to in- 
 form me, 
 If yet Vicentio breathes — (Spalatro crosses to r.h.) 
 
 — and afterwards, 
 I'll make some trial of thy love to me. 
 
 [Exit Spalatro, r.h. 
 
 Enter Colonna, Officer, and eight Guards, l.h. 
 
 Col. Conduct me to my dungeon ! — I have 
 parted 
 From all that bound my bosom to the world — 
 Ludovico ! — 
 
 Lud. The same. 
 
 Col. Come you, my lord, 
 To swill with drunken thirst, the poor revenge 
 That makes a little mind's ignoble joy ? [care ; 
 
 Laid. Guards ! I discharge Colonna from your 
 He is no more your prisoner — Hence ! 
 
 [Exeunt Officer and Guards, l.h, 
 My lord, 
 Such is the vengeance of Ludovico ! [death 
 
 Col. What is a man doomed to the stroke of 
 To understand by this ? 
 
 Lud. That I am his friend 
 Who called me traitor ! 
 
 Col. Such I call you still. 
 
 Lud. Well then, I am a traitor. 
 
 Col. There is here 
 A kind of marvellous honesty, my lord, 
 
64 EVADNE ;• 
 
 Lud. In you 'twas nobleness to bear the charge. 
 And yet 'twas glory to deserve it too. 
 Your father was the tutor of the king, 
 And loyalty is your inheritance — 
 I am not blind to such exalted virtue, 
 And I resolved to win Colonna's heart, 
 As hearts like his are won ! — Unto the king 
 Soon as Vicentio's fate had reach'd mine ear, 
 1 hastened and implored your life. 
 
 Col. My life !— 
 Well, sir, my life ? — (With indifference.) 
 
 Lud. Upon my knees I fell, 
 Nor can I speak the joy that in my heart — 
 Leaped, when I heard him say, that thou shouldst 
 live. 
 
 Col. I am loth to owe you gratitude, my lord, 
 But, for my sister's sake, whom 1 would not 
 Leave unprotected on the earth, I thank you ! 
 
 Lud. You have no cause to thank me ; for, 
 Colonna, 
 He did pronounce your death, e'en as he said, 
 He gave you life. 
 
 Col. I understand you not. [hold 
 
 Lud. Your honour's death, Colonna, which I 
 The fountain of vitality. 
 
 Col. Go on ! 
 I scarce did hear what did concern my life, 
 But aught that touches honour — 
 
 Lud. Oh ! Colonna, 
 I almost dread to tell thee. 
 
 Col. Prithee, speak ! 
 You put me on the rack ! 
 
 Lud. Wilt thou promise me,— 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 65 
 
 I will not ask thee to be calm, Colonna, — 
 Wilt promise me, that thou wilt not be mad ? 
 Col. Whate-'er it be, I will contain myself. 
 You said 'twas something that concern'd mine 
 
 honour, 
 The honour of mine house — he did not dare 
 To say my blood should by a foul attaint 
 Be in my veins corrupted; from their height 
 The mouldering banners of my family, 
 Flung to the earth ; the 'scutcheons of my fame 
 Trod by dishonour's foot, and my great race 
 Struck from the list of nobles ? 
 
 Lud. No, Colonna, 
 Struck from the list of men ! — he dared to ask 
 As a condition for thy life, (my tongue 
 Doth falter as I speak it, and my heart 
 Can scarcely heave) by heavens he dared to ask 
 That, to his foul and impious clasp, thou shouldst 
 Yield up thy sister — 
 
 Col. Ha! 
 
 Jjiid. The king doth set a price 
 Upon thv life, and 'tis thy sister's honour. 
 
 Col. My sister ! 
 
 Lud. Aye, tlry sister ! 
 
 Col. What ! — my sister ! 
 
 Lud. Yes ! — your sister, sir, — Evadne ! 
 
 Col. By yon heaven, 
 Tho' he were born with immortality, 
 I will find some way to kill him ! 
 My sister ! 
 
 Lud. Do not waste in idle wrath — - 
 
 Col. My fathers ! do you hear it in the tomb ? 
 Do not your mouldering remnants of the earth 
 
66 EVADNE ; 
 
 Feel horrid animation in the grave, 
 And strive to burst the ponderous sepulchre, 
 And throw it off? — My sister ! oh ! yon heavens ! 
 Was this reserved for me ? for me ! — the son 
 Of that great man that tutored him in arms, 
 And loved him as myself? — I know you wonder 
 That tears are dropping from my flaming eye- 
 lids ; 
 But 'tis the streaming of a burning heart, 
 And these are drops of fire — my sister ! 
 
 Lud. Now — 
 Do you now call me traitor 1 Do you think 
 'Twas such a crime from off my country's heart 
 To fling this incubus of royalty ? — 
 Am 1 a traitor ? is't a sin, my lord, 
 To think a dagger were of use in Naples ? 
 
 Col. Thou shalt not touch a solitary hair 
 Upon the villain's head ! — his life is mine j 
 His heart is grown my property — Ludovico, 
 None kills him but myself! — I will, this moment, 
 Amid the assembled court, in face of day, 
 Rush on the monster, and without a sword 
 Tear him to pieces ! — (Going, l.h.) 
 
 Lud. Nay, Colonna, [y° u ? — 
 
 Within his court he might perchance escape 
 But, if you do incline to do a deed 
 Antiquity would envy, — with the means [lonna* 
 He hath furnished you himself! — He means, Co- 
 in your own house that you should hold to-night 
 A glorious revelry, to celebrate 
 Your sovereign's sacred presence ; and so soon 
 As all the guests are parted, you yourself 
 Should lead your sister to him— 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 67 
 
 Col. That I should 
 Convert the palace of mine ancestors 
 Into a place of brothelry — myself! — 
 Tell me no more, I prithee, if thou wouldst 
 I should be fit for death ! — 
 
 Laid. In honour be 
 A Roman, an Italian in revenge. 
 Waste not in idle or tempestuous sound 
 Thy great resolve. The king intends to bear 
 The honour of his presence to your house, — 
 Nay, hold ! — I'll tell him you consent — he straight 
 Will fall into the snare, and then, Colonna, 
 Make offering of his blood to thy revenge ! 
 
 Col. I thank thee for thy warning — 'tis well 
 thought on — 
 I'll make my vengeance certain, and commend 
 Thy wisdom in the counselling. 
 
 Lud. Then, hie thee hence ! 
 And make meet preparation for the banquet. 
 I'll straight return, and tell him you're all joy 
 In the honour of his coming. 
 
 Col. The rigourous muscles of my clenched 
 hand 
 Already feel impatience for the blow 
 That strikes the crowned monster to the heart. 
 [Exeunt ; Col. l.h. Laid. r.h. 
 
 END OF ACT IV, 
 
68 EVADNE> 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I. — A vast hall in Colonna's palace, filled 
 with statues. — The moon streams in through the 
 gothic windows, and appears to fall vpon the 
 statues. A chamber-door at the back. 
 
 Enter Ludovico and the King, r.h.d. 
 
 hud. This is the way, my liege. Colonna 
 bade me 
 Conduct you to your chamber, while he went 
 To geek the fair Evadne, and conduct 
 Her soft reluctance to your highness' arms. 
 
 King. Ludovico, thou hast proved thyself to-day 
 The genius of my happier destiny : 
 Thee must I thank, for 'twas thy rarer wit 
 Did guide me on to heaven. 
 
 Lud. I'll send you there. (Aside.) 
 
 King. When first I heard Vicentio fell beneath 
 The hot Colonna's sword, I do confess 
 It smote me sore, but now 'tis told abroad 
 That he hath passed all peril. 
 
 Lud. I am glad 
 His death doth not conduct j r ou to your joys — - 
 Vicentio bears a slight unharming wound, 
 That sheds his blood, but perils not his life : 
 But let him pass — let not a thought of him 
 Flit round the couch of love. 
 
 King Good night, my friend, 
 And prithee, bid Colonna swiftly lead her 
 To the expecting transports of my heart. 
 
OR, THE STATUE, 
 
 Lud. I will bid him speed her coyness. 
 
 King. Hie thee, Ludovico, 
 For every moment seems an age. 
 
 [Exit into chamber, m.d. 
 
 hud. An age ! 
 For you, nor minute, hour, nor day, nor year, 
 Nor age, shall shortly be. 
 
 'Tis now the dead of night — That sounds to me 
 Like an apt word,— for nature doth to me 
 Shew like a giant corse. — This mighty world, 
 Its wide and highly-vaulted sepulchre, 
 And yonder moon a tomb-lamp ! when the king 
 Lies dead to boot, all things will then appear 
 In a more full proportion. — Ha ! he comes ! 
 My dull and unconscious instrument ! — Colonna ! 
 
 Enter Colonna with a dagger^ r.h.d. 
 
 Welcome, my friend, for such I dare to call you- 
 The king's already to his bed retired, 
 Where death will be his paramour. 
 
 Col. I have heard 
 Vicentio was not wounded unto death— 
 Would this were sooner known ! 
 
 had. Why, my good lord ? 
 
 Col. Because the king would not have offered 
 Such an indignity, nor should I now [me 
 
 Tread into murder. 
 
 hud. Murder — I had hoped, 
 You would not on the threshold of the deed 
 Stay tottering thus — One would deem 
 It was a deed of sin, and not of honour, 
 That you had undertaken. 
 7 * 
 
70 EVADNE; 
 
 Col. By yon heaven, 
 I cannot stab him like a slave that's hired 
 To be a blood-shedder ! I cannot clench 
 This hand, accustomed to a soldier's sword, 
 Around this treacherous hilt, and with the other 
 Squeeze the choked spirit from the gasping 
 
 throat — 
 Then kneel upon his bosom, and press out 
 The last faint sigh of life ! Down, damned steel ! 
 Fit instrument for cowards — (Throws down the 
 
 dagger near r.h.) — 1 will play 
 A warrior's part, and arm him for the fight ! — 
 Give me thy sword, that I may put defence 
 Into the tyrant's hand, and nobly kill him. — 
 Come forth ! (Going to d.f.) 
 
 Lud. Hold, madman, hold ! — what wouldst 
 % thou do ? 
 
 Col. Bravely encounter him — not take his life 
 Like a mercenary stabber. 
 
 Lud. Hast thou thought 
 That he may be the victor too ? 
 
 Col. My death 
 Will not be thought inglorious. 
 
 Lud. There's some praise 
 In falling by the hand of royalty; 
 But when you are laid within your sepulchre-. 
 And rot most honourably, then 1 fear me, 
 A lesser shame will not befall your house 
 For all the graven marbles on your tomb ! 
 Your sister — 
 
 Col. Ha! 
 
 Lud. Your sister will not find, 
 When you are dead, a bulwark in your grave, 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 71 
 
 Where will she find a guardian arm — thine arm 
 Will be the food of the consuming worm, 
 While in the hot embraces of the king — 
 
 Col 1 did not think on that. 
 
 hud. But I perhaps mistake you all this while- 
 You had better thought upon the dignity 
 He means your house. 
 
 Col. You do not dare — 
 
 hud. I dare to tell you this — 
 Who can forgive such injury as thine, 
 Hath half consented to it. — How is it 
 The glorious resolve hath cooled within thee? 
 Hath any thing befallen that should have blown 
 On the red iron of thy heated wrath, 
 And steeped thee back to meekness ? — Was the 
 
 touch 
 Of his warm amorous hand, wherein he palmed 
 Her struggling fingers, ice upon your rage? 
 "When he did tread upon her yielding foot 
 Beneath the cloth of gold 
 
 Col. If I had seen it, 
 He had not lived an instant ! 
 
 hud. W T hen you turned, 
 He flung his arms around, and on her cheek 
 He pressed his ravenous lips ! — ? Sdeath, sir, 
 
 consider — 
 You pray the King of Naples to your roof, — ■ 
 You hail his coming in a feast that kings 
 Could scarce exceed in glory — It is blown 
 Thro' all the city that he sleeps to-night 
 Within your sister's bed ; and, it is said, 
 That you, yourself, have smoothed the pillow 
 down. 
 
72 EVADNE; 
 
 Col. Where is he ? let me see him who pre- 
 To think the blasphemy. [sumes 
 
 hud. Behold him here ! 
 I sir — yes, I — Ludovico, dare think 
 With every man in Naples, if the king 
 Should leave your roof with life, that he has 
 The fruit he came to pluck. [tasted 
 
 Col. No more— no more — 
 He perishes, Ludovico ! 
 
 hud. That's well— 
 I am glad to see you pull into your heart 
 
 [Crosses and takes up the dagger.) 
 Its brave resolve again — and if there be 
 Aught wanting to confirm thee, think, Colonna, 
 Think that you give your country liberty, 
 While you revenge yourself! — Go, my Colonna- 
 Yonder's the fated chamber — plunge the steel 
 
 [Gives the dagger to Colonna.) 
 Into his inmost heart, and let the blood 
 Flow largely. 
 
 Col. I'll call to thee when it is done, [know 
 
 Lud. Hark thee ! he'll cry for life-and well 1 
 The pleading for existence may have power 
 Upon thy noble nature — then, Colonna, 
 Drown every shriek with chaste Evadne's name, 
 And stab him as thou criest it ! [Exit, r.h.d. 
 
 [Colonna advances towards the chamber-door 
 in centre.) 
 
 Col. I will do it !— 
 
 [He pushes the door, and finds, from his agi- 
 tated condition it is difficult to move.) 
 I can scarce move the door — it will not yield ! 
 It seems as if some mighty hand were laid 
 Asrainst it to repel me 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 73 
 
 ( Voice exclaims, l.h.u.e.) Hold ! 
 
 Col. (Starting.) It was only [me — 
 
 My thought informed the air with voice around 
 Why should I feel as if I walked in guilt 
 And trod to common murder — he shall die ! 
 Come then, enraging thought, into my breast 
 And turn it into iron ! 
 
 (Voice, l.h.u.e.) Hold! 
 
 Col. It shot 
 With keen reality into mine ear. 
 A figure in the shadow of the moon, 
 Moves slowly on my sight. 
 What art thou ? 
 
 Evadne advances, L.n.V.E.from behind the Statues-. 
 
 Evad. My brother ! 
 
 Col. How, my sister ! 
 Come 3'ou across my purpose ? 
 
 Evad. From my chamber 
 That to the great hall leads, I did behold you, 
 In dreadful converse with Ludovico. — 
 Your looks at the banquet did unto my fears 
 Forbode no blessed issue, for your smiles [brows 
 Seemed veils of death, and underneath your 
 I saw the silent furies — Oh, Colonna, — 
 Thank heaven, the safety of Vicentio [steps ! 
 Has given me power to watch your dangerous 
 W T hat would you do ? 
 
 Col. Get thee to rest. 
 
 Evad,. Is that high front, Colonna, 
 One to write Cain upon ? — Alas, Colonna, 
 1 did behold vou with Ludovico, 
 
EVADNE; 
 
 By yonder moon, and 1 as soon had seen thee 
 Commune with the great foe of all mankind — 
 What wouldst thou do ? 
 
 Col. Murder! 
 
 Evad. What else, Colonna, 
 Couldst thou have learned from Ludovico ? 
 
 Col. In yonder chamber lies the king — I go 
 To stab him to the heart ! 
 
 Evad. 'Tis nobly done ! 
 I will not call him king — but guest, Colonna — 
 Remember, you have called him here — remem- 
 ber [cup ; 
 You have pledged him in your father's golden 
 Have broken bread with him — the man, Co- 
 lonna, 
 
 Col. Who dares to set a price upon my life — 
 What think'st thou 'twas ? 
 
 Evad. I think there's nought too dear 
 To buy Colonna's life. 
 
 Col. 'Twas a vast price 
 He asked me then — you were to pay it too — 
 It was my Evadne's honour. 
 
 Evad. Ha ! [sister, 
 
 Col. He gives my life upon condition— Oh, my 
 I am ashamed to tell thee what he asked. 
 
 Evad. What ! did he ?— 
 
 Col. Thou dost understand me now ? — 
 Now — if thou wilt, abide thee here, Evadne, 
 Where thou mayest hear his groan. {Going in.) 
 
 Evad. Forbear, Colonna ! 
 For heaven's sake, stay — this was the price he 
 
 asked thee ? 
 He asked thee for thy life ? — thy life ? — but. no- . 
 Vicentio lives, and 
 
OH, THE STATUE. 75 
 
 Col. (Aside.) How is this ? She seems 
 To bear too much of woman in her heart ; 
 She trembles — yet she does not shrink — her 
 
 cheek 
 Is not inflamed with anger, and her eye 
 Darts not the lightning ! — 
 
 Evad. Oh ! my dearest brother, 
 Let not this hand, this pure, this white fair hand, 
 Be blotted o'er with blood. 
 
 Col. (Aside.) Why, is it possible, 
 She has ta'en the sinful wish into her heart ? 
 By heaven, her pride is dazzled at the thought 
 Of having this same purple villain kneel, 
 And bend his crown before her — She's a woman I 
 Evadne ! 
 
 Evad. Well? 
 
 Col. The king expects me to 
 Conduct you to his chamber — Shall I do so ? 
 
 Evad. I prithee, be not angry at my prayer — ■ 
 But bid him come to me. 
 
 Col. What ! bid him come to thee ? 
 
 Evad. And leave me with him here. 
 
 Col. What ! leave thee with him ? 
 
 Evad. Yes — 1 implore it of thee — prithee, 
 Conduct my sovereign here. [Colonna, 
 
 Col. Yes — I will try her — 
 I know not what she means, but, hitherto, 
 I deemed her virtuous. If she fall, she dies. 
 I'll here conceal myself, and if in word 
 She give consent, I'll rush upon them both 
 And strike one heart thro' the other. — (Aside.) 
 
 Evad. Send him to me. [ e ye— - 
 
 Col There's a wild purpose in her solemn 
 
76 EVADNE; 
 
 I know not if 'tis sin, but I will make 
 
 A terrible experiment. — (Aside.) — What, h 
 
 My liege, I bear fulfilment of my promise— 
 
 Enter the King from the chamber, m.d. 
 
 King. Colonna, my best friend, how shall I 
 thank thee ? 
 But wh ire is my Evadne ? 
 
 Col. There, my lord ! 
 
 King. Colonna, I not only give thee life, 
 But place thee near myself; henceforth thou 
 
 wilt wear 
 A nobler title in thy family, — 
 And to thy great posterity we'll send 
 My granted dukedom. 
 
 Col. Sir you honour me. 
 My presence is no longer needed here. 
 (Aside.) — A word's consent despatches them ! 
 
 (Conceals himself behind the pillars, r.h.u.e.) 
 
 King. My fair Evadne ! lay aside thy sad 
 And drooping aspect in this hour of joy ! 
 Stoop not thy head, that like a pale rose bends 
 Upon its yielding stalk — thou h;tst no cause 
 For such a soft abashment, for be sure 
 I'll place thee high in honour. 
 
 Evad. (l.h.) Honour, sir ! — 
 
 King, (r.h.) Yes ; I'll exalt thee into dignity. 
 Adorn thy name with titles— All my court 
 Shall watch the movement of thy countenance. 
 Riches and power shall wait upon thy smile,. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 11 
 
 And in the lightest-bending of thy brow 
 
 Death and disgrace inhabit. 
 Evad. And, my liege, 
 
 That will inhabit my own heart f 
 King. My love ! 
 
 Come, my Evadne — what a form is here ? 
 
 The imaginers of beauty did of old 
 
 O'er three rich forms of sculptured excellence 
 
 Scatter the. naked graces; but the hand 
 
 Of mightier nature hath in thee combined 
 
 All varied charms together. 
 
 Evad. You were speaking 
 Of sculpture, sir — I do remember me, 
 You are deemed a worshipper of that high arr 7 
 Here, my lord, (Pointing to the statues.) 
 
 Is matter for your transports ! 
 
 King. Fair Evadne ! 
 Do you not mean to mock me ? Not to gaze 
 On yonder lifeless marbles did I come 
 To visit you to-night, but in the pure, 
 And blue-veined alabaster of a breast, 
 Richer than heaves the Parian that has wed 
 The Florentine to immortality. [mood, 
 
 Evad. You deem me of a light capricious 
 But it were hard if, (woman as I am) 
 I could not use my sex's privilege — ■ 
 Tho' I should ask you for yon orb of light, 
 That shines so brightly, and so sadly there, 
 And tills the ambient air with purity — 
 Should you not fain, as 'tis the wont of those 
 Who cheat a wayward child, to draw it down. 
 And in the sheeted splendour of a stream 
 
^8 EVADNE ; 
 
 To catch its shivering brightness! — It is my 
 
 pleasure 
 That you should look upon these reverend forms. 
 That keep the likeness of mine ancestry — 
 I must enforce you to it ! — 
 
 King. Wayward woman ! 
 What arts does she intend to captivate 
 My soul more deeply in her toils ? 
 
 Evad. Behold ! (Going to a statue, r.h.s.e.) 
 The glorious founder of my family ! 
 It is the great Rodolpho ! — Charlemagne 
 Did fix that sun upon his shield, to be 
 His glory's blazoned emblem ; for at noon, 
 When the astronomer cannot discern 
 A spot upon the full-orbed disk of light, 
 'Tis not more bright than his immaculate name ! 
 With what austere, and dignified regard 
 He lifts the type of purity, and seems 
 Indignantly to ask, if aught that springs 
 From blood of his, shall dare to sully it 
 With a vapour of the morning ! 
 
 King. It is well ; 
 His frown has been attempered in the lapse 
 Of generations, to thy lovely smile. — 
 I swear, he seems not of thy family. 
 My fair Evadne, 1 confess, I hoped 
 Another sort of entertainment here. 
 
 Evad. Another of mine ancestors, my liege — 
 (Pointing to a statue, l.h.u.e.) 
 Guelfo the murderer ! 
 
 King. The murderer ! 
 I knew not that your family was stained 
 With the reproach of blood. 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 79 
 
 Evad. We are not wont 
 To blush, tho' we may sorrow for his sin, 
 If sin indeed it be. His castle walls 
 Were circled by the siege of Saracens, — 
 He had an only daughter whom he prized 
 More than you hold your diadem ; but when 
 He saw the fury of the infidels [child 
 
 Burst through his shattered gates, and on his 
 Dishonour's hand was lifted, with one blow 
 He struck her to the heart, and with the other, 
 He stretched himself beside her. 
 
 King. Fair Evadne, 
 I must no more indulge you, else I fear 
 You would scorn me for my patience ; prithee, 
 No more of this wild phantasy ! [love, 
 
 Evad. My liege, [upon it, 
 
 But one remains, and when you have looked 
 And thus complied with my request, you will 
 
 find me 
 Submissive to your own. Look here, my lord, — 
 Know you this statue ? 
 
 {Pointing to a statue, l.h.s.e.) 
 
 King. No, in sooth, I do not. [ill 
 
 Evad. Nay — look again — for I shall think but 
 Of princely memories, if you can find 
 Within the inmost chambers of your heart 
 No image like to this — look at that smile — 
 That smile, my liege — look at it ! 
 
 King. It is your father ! 
 
 Evad. {Breaking into exultation.] 
 Aye ! — 'tis indeed my father ! — 'tis my good, 
 Exalted, generous, and god-like father ! 
 Whose memory, though he had left his child 
 
SO EVADNE ; 
 
 A naked, houseless roamer through the world. 
 Were an inheritance a princess might 
 Be proud of for her dower ! 
 Who was my father? 
 
 (With a proud and conscious interrogatory.) 
 King. One, whom I confess 
 Of high and many virtues. 
 
 Evad. Is that all ? 
 I will help your memory, and tell you first, 
 That the late King of Naples looked among 
 The noblest in his realm for that good man, 
 To whom he might intrust your opening youth. 
 And found him worthiest. In the eagle's nest 
 Early he placed you, and beside his wing 
 You learned to mount to glory ! Underneath 
 His precious care you grew, and were once 
 Thought grateful for his service. His whole life 
 Was given to your uses, and his death — 
 Ha ! do you start, my lord ? On Milan's plain 
 He fought beside you, and when he beheld 
 A sword thrust at your bosom, rushed — it pierced 
 
 him ! 
 He fell down at your feet, — he did, my lord ! 
 He perished to preserve you ! — (Rushes to the 
 
 statue.) — Breathless image, 
 Altho' no heart doth beat within that breast, 
 No blood is in those veins, let me enclasp thee, 
 And feel thee at my bosom. — Now, sir, I am 
 
 ready — me !-— 
 
 Come and unloose these feeble arms, and take 
 Aye, take me from this neck of senseless stone,— 
 And to reward the father with the meet 
 And wonted recompense that princes give-* 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 81 
 
 Make me as foul as bloated pestilence, 
 As black as darkest midnight, and as vile 
 As guilt and shame can make me. 
 
 King. She has smitten 
 Compunction thro' my soul ! 
 
 Evad. Approach, my lord ! 
 Come in the midst of all mine ancestry, 
 Come and unloose me from my father's arms-— 
 Come, if you dare, and in his daughter's shame 
 Reward him for the last drops of the blood 
 Shed for his prince's life ! — 
 
 King. Thou hast wrought 
 A miracle upon thy prince's heart, 
 And lifted up a vestal lamp, to shew 
 My soul its own deformity — my guilt ! 
 
 Evad. (Disengaging herself from the statue.) 
 Ha! have you got a soul? — have you 
 yet left, 
 Prince as you are, one relic of a man ? 
 Have you a soul ? — he trembles — he relents — 
 I read it in the glimmering of his face ; 
 And there's a tear, the bursting evidence 
 Of nature's holy working in the heart ! 
 Oh, heav'n ! he weeps ! my sovereign, my liege 
 Heart ! do not burst in ecstacy too soon ! 
 My brother ! my Colonna ! — hear me — hear ! 
 In all the wildering triumph of my soul, 
 I call upon thee ! 
 
 (Turning., she perceives Colonna advancing 
 from among the statues^ r.h.u.e.) 
 There he is — my brother ! 
 
 Col. (In centre.) Let me behold thee, 
 8 * 
 
3£ EVADNE; 
 
 Let me compress thee here ! — Oh ! my dear 
 
 sister ! 
 A thousand times mine own ! — 1 glory in thee, 
 More than in all the heroes of my name ! — 
 I overheard your converse, and methought 
 It was a blessed spirit that had ta'en 
 Thy heavenly form, to shew the wondering world 
 How beautiful was virtue ! — Sir, — [To the king.) 
 
 Evad. (l.h.) Colonna, 
 There is your king ! 
 
 Col. Thou hast made him so again ! 
 Thy virtue hath recrowned him — and I kneel 
 His faithful subject here ! 
 
 King, (r.h.) Arise, Colonna! 
 You take the attitude that more befits 
 The man who would have wrong'd you, but 
 
 whose heart, 
 Was by a seraph calPd again to heaven ! 
 Forgive me ! 
 
 Col. Yes, with all my soul I do ! 
 And I will give you proof how suddenly 
 You are grown my prince again. — Do not inquire 
 What I intend, but let me lead you here 
 Behind these statues. — 
 
 [Places the king behind the statues, r.h.u.e ) 
 Retire, my best Evadne ! [Exit Evadne, l.h. 
 Ho ! Ludovico ! 
 What ho ! there ! — Here he comes I 
 
 Enter Ludovico, r.h.d. 
 
 Ludovico, 
 
 I have done the deed.— 
 
OR, THE STATUE. 83 
 
 Lud. He is dead ? 
 
 Col. Thro' his heart 
 E'en as thou badest me, did I drive the steel, 
 And as he cried for life, Evadne's name 
 Drowned his last shriek ! 
 
 Lud. So I 
 
 Col. Why, Ludovico, 
 Stand you thus rapt ? Why does your bosom heave 
 In such wild tumult ? Why is it you place 
 Your hand upon your front? What hath possess- 
 ed you ? 
 
 Lud. ( With a strong laugh of irony) Fool ! 
 
 Col. How is this ? 
 
 Lud. So, thou hast slain the king ? 
 
 Col. I did but follow your advice, my lord. 
 
 Lud. Therefore, I call ye — fool ! — From the 
 king's head [own ! 
 
 Thou hast ta'en the crown, to place it on mine 
 Therefore I touched my front, for I did think 
 That palpably, I felt the diadem 
 Wreathing its golden round about my brow ! 
 But, by yon heaven, scarce do 1 feel more joy 
 In climbing up to empire than I do 
 In knowing thee my dupe ! 
 
 Col. I know, my lord, 
 You bade me kill the king. 
 
 Lud. And since thou hast slain him, 
 Know more — 'twas I that first within his heart 
 Lighted impurity ; — 'twas I, Colonna, — 
 Hear it — 'twas I that did persuade the king 
 To ask thy sister's honour, as the price 
 Of thine accorded life ! 
 
 Col You?— 
 
84 EVADNL 
 
 Lud. Would'st hear more ? — 
 To-morrow sees me king ! I have already 
 Prepared three thousand of my followers 
 To call me to the throne — and when I am there, 
 I'll try thee for the murdering of the king, — 
 And then — What ho, there ! Guards ! — then, my 
 
 good lord, 
 When the good trenchant axe hath struck away 
 That dull, and passionate head of thine — What 
 
 ho!— 
 
 Enter Officer and eight Guards, r.hj). 
 
 I'll take the fair Evadne to mine arms, 
 
 And thus — 
 
 On yonder traitor seize ! — 
 
 With sacrilegious hand he has ta-en away 
 
 The consecrated life of majesty, 
 
 And— 
 
 The King comes forward in centre, r.h.u.e, 
 
 What do I behold? is not my sense 
 Mocked with this horrid vision ? 
 That hath started up 
 To make an ideot of me ; — is it not 
 The vapour of the senses that has framed 
 The only spectacle that ever yet 
 Appalled Ludovico ? 
 
 King. Behold thy king ! 
 
 Lud. He lives ! — I am betrayed— but let me not 
 Play traitor to myself: — befriend me still 
 Thou guarding genius of Ludovico ! 
 
OR, THE STATUE. §5 
 
 My liege, my royal master, do I see you 
 Safe from the plots of yon accursed traitor? 
 And throwing thus myself around your knees, 
 Do I clasp reality 1 
 
 King. Traitor, arise ! 
 Nor dare pollute my garment with a touch ! 
 I know thee for a villain ! — Seize him, guards ! 
 
 Lud. (Drawing his sword.) By this right arm 
 they dare not — this right arm 
 That to the battle oft hath led them on, 
 Whose power to kill they know, but would not 
 
 feel !— 
 I am betrayed— but who will dare to leap 
 Into the pit wherein the lion's caught, 
 And hug with him for death ? Not one of this 
 Vile herd of trembling wretches ! [me, 
 
 (To the King.) Thou art meet alone to encounter 
 And thus in the wild bravery of despair, 
 I rush into thy life ! 
 
 Col. (Intercepts and stabs him. — Ludovico falls.) 
 
 Lud. Colonna, thou hast conquered. 
 Oh ! that I could, 
 
 Like an expiring dragon, spit upon you ! — 
 That I could— thus 1 fling the drops of life 
 In showers of poison on you — May it fall 
 Like Centaur-blood, and fester you to madness ! 
 Oh ! that I could — (He grasps his sword, and, in 
 an effort to rise, dies.) 
 
 Enter Evadne, l.h. and crosses to Colonna. 
 
 Evad. Oh ! my brother ! [prince ! 
 
 King. Thou hast a second time preserved thy 
 
36 EVADNE ; OR THE STATUE 
 Fair Evadne, 
 
 We will repair our injuries to thee, 
 And wait in all the pomp of royalty 
 Upon the sacred day that gives thy hand 
 To thy beloved Vicentio ! 
 
 Col. And the nuptials 
 Shall at the pedestal be solemnized 
 Of our great father ! 
 
 Evad. And ever, as in this blest moment, may 
 His guardian spirit, with celestial love 
 bpread its bright wings to shelter us from ill, 
 With nature's tenderest feelings looking down 
 benignant on the fortunes of his child ' 
 
 Disposition of the Characters when the Curtain falls, 
 
 ^<£c? s BODV - 
 
 
 
 f/v 
 
 JFinfe. 
 
 
 R.H. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 
 L.H. 
 
SSpilofttte, 
 
 SPOKEN E'T'MRS. FAUCIT. 
 
 Drop Scene.— The Hall of Dramatic Siati 
 
 Sent hither by our bard, no pleusant jaunt- 
 In epilogue a timorous debutante, 
 I ask your favour, like a prudent eif, 
 One word for him, and one word for myself! 
 
 Cut off, like Crusoe, from the social walk, 
 With no man Friday to keep up the talk 
 Frown'd on by yonder monumental sages~(P€inling to the 
 
 Drop.) 
 In marble. What an awful thing the stage is ! 
 Of Thespian bards yon Alpha and Omega, 
 From mighty Shakspeare down to Lope de Vega ; 
 Each shakes his awful curls, and seems to say,— 
 " Surely the author means to damn his play ; 
 What ! send an actress out, the town t'implore, 
 Who never spoke an epilogue before ! 
 Olivia for Evadne, — mighty clever ! 
 Woman for woman ! that is new, however !" 
 
 Peace, ye monopolists, on marble shelves, 
 You want to damn all statues but yourselves. 
 Avaunt ! « I've caught the speaker's eye" before ye, 
 Rear-rank, attention ! while I tell a story. 
 
05 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Pygmalion once, to ape the turner's trade, 
 
 With curious labour carved an ivory maid, 
 
 But as immortal grace each limb unfolds, 
 
 He glows with passion for the maid he moulds, 
 
 And cries, (how vain were artists e'en in Greece) 
 
 " Come! that's a statue ! that's art's masterpiece !'" 
 
 Long he adores her with a lover's mien, 
 
 And thus, at length, petitions beauty's queen ; 
 
 " Oh, Venus, bid me taste of Hymen's bliss, 
 
 And ' bone of my bone' make yon ivory miss ! 
 
 Hush ! foolish youth 1" (aside thus Momus sung) 
 
 " Leave well alone ! a statute has no tongue !" 
 
 Vain was the hint ; the silliest of the Greeks 
 
 Repeats his vow, and gains the boon he. seeks, 
 
 The statue woke to life, with eager spring 
 
 Pygmalion changed his chisel for a ring ; 
 
 And as no parent lived to thwart his plans, 
 
 Of course no cross papa forbade the banns. 
 
 From that time forth, unwarmed by lover's breath* 
 Statues, or bone, or stone, have slept in death. 
 But if to-night, you bid Evadne thrive, 
 We hope to see the miracle revive. 
 To beauty's queen the Grecian poured his vo\v : 
 Our poet bends to beauty's daughters now; 
 Oh 1 may they waken his dramatic wife, 
 And, smiling, warm his statue into life ! 
 

 
 
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