Before this bitter hour, in the full strength
And glory of my heart!
(Constance enters, and rushes to Raimond.)
Constance, Oh! art thou found?
—But yet, to find thee thus!—Chains, chains for thee?
My brave, my noble love!—Off with these bonds;
Let him be free as air:—for I am come
To be your victim now.
Rai. Death has no pang
More keen than this.—Oh! wherefore art thou here?
I could have died so calmly, deeming thee
Saved, and at peace.
Con. At peace!—And thou hast thought
Thus poorly of my love!—But woman's breast
Hath strength to suffer too.—Thy father sits
On this tribunal; Raimond, which is he?
Rai. My.father!—who hath lull'd thy gentle heart
With that false hope?—Beloved! gaze around—
See, if thine eye can trace a father's soul
In the dark looks bent on us.
Con. (After earnestly examining the countenances of
the judges, falls at the feet of Procida.)
Thou art he!
Nay, turn thou not away!—for I beheld
Thy proud lip quiver, and a watery mist
Pass o'er thy troubled eye; and then I knew
Thou wert his father!—Spare him!—take my life!
In truth a worthless sacrifice for his,
