Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/55
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A TRAGEDY.
47
Leave this proud mistress of the fleeting hour,
E'er the destroying angel's kindling brand
Smoaks in the tow'rs of Narbonne—
E'er the destroying angel's kindling brand
Smoaks in the tow'rs of Narbonne—
COUNTESS.
Hold! presumptuous!
I am thy mistress yet: nor will I brook
Such insolent reproof. Produce thy warrant,
Assure Edmund's death—or dread his vengeance!
Severely shall he question ev'ry throb
His agonizing mother now endures.
Hold! presumptuous!
I am thy mistress yet: nor will I brook
Such insolent reproof. Produce thy warrant,
Assure Edmund's death—or dread his vengeance!
Severely shall he question ev'ry throb
His agonizing mother now endures.
BENEDICT.
My warrant is at hand— [Goes out and returns
with Edmund.
My warrant is at hand— [Goes out and returns
with Edmund.
SCENE IV.
COUNTESS, BENEDICT, EDMUND.
BENEDICT.
This gentleman
Beheld thy Edmund breathless on the ground.
This gentleman
Beheld thy Edmund breathless on the ground.
COUNTESS.
Hah! is this sorcery! or is't my husband? [Swoons.
Hah! is this sorcery! or is't my husband? [Swoons.
EDMUND.
Stand off, and let me clasp her in my arms!
The flame of filial fondness shall revive
The lamp of life, repay the breath she gave,
And waken all the mother in her soul.
Stand off, and let me clasp her in my arms!
The flame of filial fondness shall revive
The lamp of life, repay the breath she gave,
And waken all the mother in her soul.
BENEDICT.
Hah! who art thou then?
Hah! who art thou then?
EDMUND.
Do not my fears tell thee!
Look up! O ever dear! behold thy son!
Do not my fears tell thee!
Look up! O ever dear! behold thy son!
It