ALBERTI.

Mistrust me not, my lord!

That stern and jealous Procida hath kept
O'er all my steps (as though he did suspect
The purposes, which oft his eye hath sought
To read in mine,) a watch so vigilant,

I knew not how to warn thee, though for this
Alone I mingled with his bands, to learn

Their projects and their strength. Thou know'st my faith
To Anjou's house full well.

DE COUCI.

How may we now

Avert the gathering storm?-The viceroy holds

His bridal feast, and all is revelry.

-'Twas a true-boding heaviness of heart,

Which kept me from these nuptials.

ALBERTI.

Thou thyself

Mayst yet escape, and, haply of thy bands

Rescue a part, ere long to wreak full vengeance

Upon these rebels. 'Tis too late to dream
Of saving Eribert. E'en shouldst thou rush

Before him with the tidings, in his pride
And confidence of soul, he would but laugh
Thy tale to scorn.

DE COUCI.

He must not die unwarn'd,

Though it be all in vain. But thou, Alberti,
Rejoin thy comrades, lest thine absence wake
Suspicion in their hearts. Thou hast done well,
And shalt not pass unguerdon'd, should I live
Through the deep horrors of th' approaching night.

ALBERTI.

Noble De Couci, trust me still. Anjou

Commands no heart more faithful than Alberti's.

DE COUCI.

[Exit ALBERTI

The grovelling slave !—And yet he spoke too true!
For Eribert, in blind elated joy,

Will scorn the warning voice.-The day wanes fast,
And through the city, recklessly dispersed,

Unarm'd and unprepared, my soldiers revel,
E'en on the brink of fate.-I must away.

[Exit DE COUCI.

SCENE V.-A Banqueting Hall.

PROVENÇAL NOBLES assembled.

FIRST NOBLE.

Joy be to this fair meeting!-Who hath seen

The viceroy's bride?

SECOND NOBLE.

I saw her, as she pass'd

The gazing throngs assembled in the city.
"Tis said she hath not left for years, till now,
Her castle's wood-girt solitude. Twill gall
These proud Sicilians, that her wide domains
Should be the conqueror's guerdon.

THIRD NOBLE.

"Twas their boast

With what fond faith she worshipp'd still the name

Of the boy, Conradin. How will the slaves

Brook this new triumph of their lords?

SECOND NOBLE.

In sooth

It stings them to the quick. In the full streets

They mix with our Provençals, and assume
A guise of mirth, but it sits hardly on them.
"Twere worth a thousand festivals, to see

With what a bitter and unnatural effort
They strive to smile!

FIRST NOBLE.

Is this Vittoria fair?

SECOND NOBLE.

Of a most noble mien; but yet her beauty
Is wild and awful, and her large dark eye,
In its unsettled glances, hath strange power,
From which thou 'lt shrink, as I did.

FIRST NOBLE.

Hush! they come.

Enter ERIBERT, VITTORIA, CONSTANCE, and others.

ERIBERT.

Welcome, my noble friends!-there must not lower
One clouded brow to-day in Sicily!

Behold my bride!

NOBLES.

Receive our homage, lady!

When memory's pictures fade, 'tis kindly done

To brighten their dimm'd hues!

FIRST NOBLE (apart).

Mark'd you her glance?

SECOND NOBLE (apart).

What eloquent scorn was there! yet he, th' elate

Of heart, perceives it not.

ERIBERT.

Now to the feast!

Constance, you look not joyous. I have said

That all should smile to-day.

CONSTANCE.

Forgive me, brother!

The heart is wayward, and its garb of pomp

At times oppresses it.