27
The family vault the family vault.
It will certainly be your my fault,
To bury j j^ I life long woe!
(Exit Lady Sangazure, in great anguish, l.)
Recitiative—Mr. Wells.
Oh, hideous doom—to scatter desolation,
And sow the seeds of sorrow far and wide!
To foster mésalliances through the nation,
And drive high born old dames to suicide!
Shall I subject myself to reprobation,
By leaving her in solitude to pine?
No! come what may, I'll make her reparation,
So, aged lady, take me!—I am thine!
Enter Aline.
Aline. This was to have been the happiest day of my life—but I am very far from happy! Alexis insists that I shall taste the philtre—and when I try to persuade him that to do so would be an insult to my pure and lasting love, he tells me that I object because I do not desire that my love for him shall be eternal. Well (sighing, and producing a phial), I can at least prove to him that, in that, he is unjust!
Recitiative.
Alexis! Doubt me not, my loved one! See
Thine uttered will is sovereign law to me!
All fear all thought of ill I cast away;
It is my darling's will, and I obey!
The fearful deed is done,
My love is near!
I go to meet my own
In trembling fear!
If o'er us aught of ill
Should cast a shade,
It was my darling's will,
And I obeyed!
As Aline is going off, she meets Dr. Daly, entering pensively. He is playing on a flageolet. Under the influence of the spell she at once becomes strangely fascinated by him, and exhibits every symptom, of being hopelessly in love with him.
