Castruccio Castrucani/Act V

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

ACT V.

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Scene I.—A Prison.

Arrezi and the Confessor.

ARREZI.

Thou bring'st my youth again; thou who didst link

Her faith to mine—the lost and the beloved.
Fateful to me has been thy ministering;
It has been thine, oh! ancient priest, to bless
My marriage and my scaffold!

CONFESSOR.

Not on the past, my son, fix thou thy thoughts,

But on the solemn future!

ARREZI.

I cannot choose: I sought thee out for years.

Give me to know her fate—my secret bride—
Soon lost, but long beloved—and I will turn
From thee to thy companion—death!

CONFESSOR.

When the proud Castrucani forced thy bride

To secret banishment, and made thee prisoner,
Chance brought me to the village, and I watch'd
Above her and her child—

ARREZI.

Her child!

CONFESSOR.

It was two years before the mother died;

With her last breath she gave her to my charge.

ARREZI.

What of the orphan?

CONFESSOR.

For years I saw her grow in loveliness,

And deem'd her happy in her lowly state;
For Lucca was distracted with the wars
Her nobles kept among themselves.

ARREZI.

I dread—yet still must ask—does my child live?

CONFESSOR.

But that it breaks a link with this sad world,

My heart would fail me—no, the girl is dead!
She had just sprung to blooming womanhood,
When Heaven claim'd its own. The Florentines
Burnt Arola, the village where she dwelt;
Not one escaped to tell the tale of death!

ARREZI.

Oh, subtle force of nature's secret love!

That child, although I knew her not for mine,
Has been my care; I have reproach'd myself
That more my heart drew to her than Bianca:
Our house almost enforced my second marriage.

I wedded with a lady cold and proud,
Who left her likeness to her child—Bianca
Ne'er sought, ne'er won affection like Claricha;
Would I might bless her ere I die.

CONFESSOR.

Alas! my son, think not on human ties.

Enter Claricha.

ARREZI.

And hast thou sought me out, my own sweet child?

Come to your father's heart! 'twas Heaven and nature
That made me love thee, ere I knew thy right
To claim a parent's love. How hard it is
To only know thee in this last sad hour!
Shrink not away, my child—I am thy father!

CLARICHA.

My father!

CONFESSOR.

She wears the very chain around her neck

Placed by her dying mother. Start not thus,
But kneel and ask a father's latest blessing.

CLARICHA.

Mercy—mercy.

ARREZI.

In evil times we meet; but still, my child,

Come to my heart—Claricha, let me bless thee!

CLARICHA.

Curse me—your blessing sinks me to the earth:

Curse me—and in me curse your murderer!

ARREZI.

Cease these wild words, you know not what you say.

CLARICHA.

I know too well: I gave the Count Castruccio

The tidings of his danger.

ARREZI.

You told Castruccio!

CONFESSOR.

Unhappy girl!

CLARICHA.

I told Castruccio—in our early youth

We met and loved; the burning of our village
Lost us each other's trace; again we met—
That very day I overheard your scheme,
And gave him warning.

ARREZI.

I cannot blame thee.

CLARICHA.

He loves me—oh! he cannot let me die—

Die with a parent's blood upon my soul!
He did not know of this—yes, there is hope.

ARREZI.

Hope!

CLARICHA.

My father—let me call thee by that name—

My father, bless me—bless thy wretched child!
Oh, try to say one word of comfort to me!
I come to seek thy pardon.(Kneels.)

ARREZI.

I blame our evil destiny, and feel

'Tis my own crime has brought down Heaven's vengeance;

I dare not say I pardon thee, Claricha,
But take thy father's blessing; my last prayer
Shall be for thee!

CLARICHA.

Either I bring thy pardon, or I die;

I seek Castruccio: never will I rise
From kneeling at his feet, until I win
Forgiveness for my father. Once, again,
I pray thee bless me.

ARREZI.

Come to my heart? (They embrace.)

CLARICHA.

Now, pitying Heaven assist me.—[Exit.

CONFESSOR.

Let us now seek the inner cell, and pray.

ARREZI.

She must succeed; I feel

My heart beat quick with hope.—I follow thee.
[Exeunt.

Scene II.—Castruccio alone in his Chamber, writing.

CASTRUCCIO.

There is a heavy weight upon my heart

That I would fling aside, yet cannot fling;
But that I hold all such presentments vain,
I should think there was evil on this hour.
Yet where should be the evil? yonder star
That brings the golden promise of the day,
Is, as my fortunes, rising to their noon.
Victory bears my crimson banner onwards;

Love nestles in its shadow; and, subdued,
Mine enemies are prostrate at my feet.
Bear witness, Lucca! in this silent hour,
That my first thought is thine; I have not ask'd
A transitory name for thee or me;
My conquests have but sought to keep our gates
Steadfast against a foreign foe; within
Have I kept order and security.
The iron power, made selfish by the few,
Have I subdued, and temper'd in its use.
The citizens have learnt to know their strength,
And in that strength lies freedom.

(The panel at the back begins to open, and Leoni
appears. He advances towards Castruccio, who
starts, but instantly composes himself, and appears
occupied by the papers on the table.)

CASTRUCCIO (Aside).

I hear the secret lock I thought none knew

Turn in the panel, and I hear a step;
It is too stealthy for a friendly one—
Let me be on my guard—it comes more near.
I see a shadow darken on the ground:
There is a dagger in the hand. I'll seem
Busy among these letters while I watch.

(Leoni attempts to stab him, but Castruccio springs
up, and snatches the dagger.)

CASTRUCCIO.

The Count Leoni turn'd assassin?

(Throws down the dagger.)

LEONI.

Now curses on the worthless hand that fail'd

With life and honour trusted to its strength!

CASTRUCCIO.

Honour! that is no word for lip of thine—

A coward murderer in the silent night.
Does not thy noble name cry shame upon thee?

LEONI.

It cries for vengeance!

CASTRUCCIO.

What cause hast thou to be my enemy?

LEONI.

An hundred years our houses have been foes;

To that I add my individual hate.
There is no path of fortune where thy step
Has not cross'd mine; in war, ambition, love,
Still hast thou been my rival! call thy guards,
Tyrant! but, ere they come, I'll try my sword.

CASTRUCCIO.

I'll call no other guard than my right hand.

(They fight.—As he disarms Leoni, Cesario and the
Attendants rush in.)

CASTRUCCIO.

Bear hence the traitor! you are just in time.

CESARIO.

He bleeds to death.

LEONI.

But yet with strength enough

For hatred and defiance; 'tis in vain—
Fate is against me—curse the hand and sword

That have betray'd me in my utmost need!
Yet hark, Castruccio! thou hast many foes—
Dagger and cup are armed against thy life!
And with my dying breath I bid them speed.
But I am dizzy—no—I dare not leave
Word for my kind old kinsman or Bianca:
Now can I neither save, nor yet revenge.

CESARIO.

Die with more christian words upon your lips,

For the dear sake of thy immortal soul!

LEONI (springing up for a moment).

I'll peril it on my last word—I hate him! (Dies.)

CASTRUCCIO.

Bear him away, and instantly prepare

Arrezi's scaffold; I will make my power
Show itself fearful: they must learn my strength.
[Exeunt Attendants bearing the body.

CESARIO.

Can you be hurt my lord? you look so pale.

CASTRUCCIO.

I am more sad than is my wont, Cesario!

My hand has slain yon traitor, but he once
Was my familiar friend—yet scarce my friend,
For friendship asks as much as love—of faith—
Of mingling qualities and confidence;
Friends, then, we were not, but such gay companions
As are remember'd pleasant in our age;
They wear the freshness of our youth about them,
And bring back hours untramell'd by a care!
Many a midnight have we pass'd together

In glad carousal, when the purple cup
Gave its own gaiety; we've fought together,
'Neath the same banner was our earliest field!
We've sat beside the watch-fire half the night,
Talking of friends and of our native city,
Yet yonder doth he lie, slain by my hand!

CESARIO.

Better ten thousand perish'd such as he,

Than peril life so dear as your's to Lucca.

CASTRUCCIO.

Lucca—that is the watchword of my heart!

My native city! you are young, Cesario,
And do not know with how intense a love
The exile clingeth to his mother earth.
I was an exile once—and Lucca rose
Each night more beautiful among my dreams;
Each day a deeper longing seized my soul
To see her walls once more; at length I came,
And found disorder, tyranny and death!
It matters not to tell you of my youth;
Enough, it left me with no home-affection,
None of those gentler ties that fill the thoughts
Of other men—my country was my all!
My hopes, my fears, my future were for Lucca.

CESARIO.

And you have made our Lucca what she is,

Peace in her streets, and victory at her gates.

CASTRUCCIO.

I know my power—alas! I also know

Power is a sad and solitary thing;

It cuts you off from old companionship,
It needeth iron heart and iron eye,
For its resolves are terrible, when life
Waits on your word, and when you know one breath—
One little breath—takes what it cannot give!
I yield the Count Arrezi to the axe,
But have no word that could recall the blow!

CESARIO.

His doom is just!

CASTRUCCIO.

And needful; vain, indeed, my present mood—

Power must submit to its dark comrade—death!

Attendant enters.

A lady craves a moment's speech, my lord.

CASTRUCCIO.

Let her approach: leave us awhile, Cesario.

[Exeunt.
I know the step:—(Enter Claricha)—my sweet lady here,
What would she ask?

CLARICHA.

What thou hast once denied,

A pardon for Arrezi.

CASTRUCCIO.

Let me entreat thy silence—grieve me not

With useless prayers I may not—dare not grant;
Thy hand is cold—your lip is white—sweet love,
For my sake, wear not such wild wretchedness.

CLARICHA.

You cannot dream what misery brings me to you;

Hear me: it is my father's life I seek—
My father's!

CASTRUCCIO.

What does this mean?

CLARICHA.

You could not leave a crime upon my soul

So terrible! Arrezi is my parent!

CASTRUCCIO.

Your parent! How is this?

CLARICHA.

Secret he wedded one of your proud line

Who parted them, and never till this hour
Knew he his wife, nor yet his orphan's fate.
I am that wretched child!

CASTRUCCIO.

Can this be true?

CLARICHA.

Oh! do not cruelly waste time in doubt.

But let my agony attest the truth;
His life—my life—now hang upon a word.
Be merciful, Castruccio! speak that word,
Or see me die before you!

CASTRUCCIO.

There is no doubt?

CLARICHA.

None—none! Now, by our love, I do implore you!

He was my benefactor and my friend—
He is my father!

CASTRUCCIO.

I cannot let her hand—her innocent hand—

Redden for ever with a parent's blood!
Nature, thy ties are sacred, and I yield.
Haste with my signet; love, your father lives,
And you shall be his hostage.

CLARICHA.

Let my haste thank you. Oh! my noble lord,

Long years of happiness reward this pardon![Exit

Tumult without. Cesario and others rush in.

CESARIO.

My lord, some treachery has been at work.

Through the west gate the Florentines have won
Their secret entrance, and the Count Gonsalvi
Raises his war-cry in our streets.

CASTRUCCIO.

'Tis well;

Long have I sought to meet him face to face,
And now a single blow may end the war.

Scene III.—The Market-place. Citizens, &c. Sound
of tumult, and a bell tolling in the distance.

1st citizen.

They fly before Castruccio; but a band,

With Count Gonsalvi, keep the western gate.

2nd citizen.

They will not keep it long; the Florentines

Know our Castruccio.

1st citizen.

Did the prisoner pass

While I was gone?

2nd citizen.

The moment that you left;

I wait to see the body brought this way.

1st citizen.

Lo! where they come.

(The crowd press together; and, as the body, covered on
a bier, is brought in on one side, Claricha enters
at the other. The bearers set down the body.)

CLARICHA.

I cannot urge my way—in Heaven's name,

I pray you, let me pass.

1st citizen.

Rest you a little while, poor child, beside me:

You cannot pierce the crowd.

CLARICHA.

I must go on; oh, for your parents' sake

Make but a little way!

1st citizen.

The crowd will soon disperse—they pause to gaze

On Count Arrezi.

CLARICHA.

Help me—I am his child—I bring his pardon.

Now, in your children's—in your fathers' name—
Let me pass on.

1st citizen.

It is too late.

(Claricha springs forward with a shriek, the crowd
give way, and she reaches the bier.)

CLARICHA.

Who lies beneath that mantle?

OFFICER.

The traitor, Count Arrezi.

(Claricha drops by the bier. Flourish of trumpets,
acclamations.)

Enter Castruccio, Gonsalvi, Florentine prisoners,
Soldiers, &c.

GONSALVI (offering his sword to Castruccio).

Thus I yield up my sword as vanquish'd twice;

Once by your arm, more by your courtesy.

CASTRUCCIO.

Keep it, my lord; and with it take your freedom:

We only ask of victory for peace.

Enter Cesario.

CESARIO.

The envoys of the emperor await

Your leisure, to acknowledge you the lord
Of Lucca.

CASTRUCCIO.

Then Lucca's freedom is assured. High Heaven

I thank thee! (Addressing the crowd.) My friends,
Not on a day of victory and peace,
Shall justice sternly ask its penalty
Freely ye will forgive your enemies.
Last night's conspirators I pardon here—
Be they set free.

OFFICER.

That has been done by death!

There lies the Count Arrezi.

(The crowd opens, and Claricha is seen lying by the
bier.)

CASTRUCCIO.

Oh, miserable mockery of fate!

Look up, Claricha.(She starts at his voice.)

CLARICHA.

His voice—ah! let it wake me from my dream.

I've had a fearful dream—Castruccio mine—
But I am safe, thus nestled in thine arms!

CASTRUCCIO (attempting to bear her away).

Come with me, love—this is no place for thee.

CLARICHA (springing from him).

Why am I here, and wherefore is this crowd?

There's fear in every face—they look on me
With pity or with horror, and your eyes
Are not familiar—ah! you turn aside—
Speak to me—smile as you once did, Castruccio—
Still do you turn away—what have I done?
There are too many here—I cannot ask you—
A strange confusion mixes up my thoughts,
And at my heart there is a faint sick pain.

CASTRUCCIO.

Lean on me, love.

CLARICHA (looking towards the bier).

Who are those men—those dark and fearful men?

What do the black folds of yon mantle hide?

I seem as I had look'd on them before;
There is a weight upon my struggling soul—
'Tis blood—my father's blood—
It is my father murder'd by his child!
(Sinks in Castruccio's arms.)

GONSALVI.

Give way, the lady faints!

CASTRUCCIO.

I tell you it is death—look up, my love!

Silence those trumpets; ah! she doth not hear.
Claricha—my Claricha—so long lost,
So lately found—youth—joy and hope are gone!
Gone, my pale beauty—we shall love no more!

CESARIO.

Oh, come, my lord, all Lucca sees your tears!

CASTRUCCIO.

Lucca should be their witness; for her sake—

For my fair country's sake—I have kept down
Natural emotions, young and cheerful thoughts,
Yet were they warm and eager at my heart.
With her they perish! Fate has claim'd the last,
Cruel and terrible the sacrifice!
All but my country shares Claricha's grave—
(Raising her in his arms.)
This, Lucca, is my latest offering!

The Curtain drops.

END OF THE TRAGEDY.