Scene the last.—A Dungeon.
Geraldi Sforza.
The man I loved is dead—a second Cain,
For I have killed my brother. Shall I dare
Invoke Almighty mercy, pray to Heaven,
And plead repentance, who denied my friend
A moment's pause to prove his innocence,
Or make his peace with his offended God?
A mad and brutal fury urged my sword,
I thirsted, panted for his blood, struck deep
The fatal blow, and quenched each spark of life.
Excellent, virtuous, god-like, Julian!
Thou wert too good for this base world, which I
And kindred murderers inhabit.—Dead,
And mine the accursed hand that dealt the blow.
Oh will no pitying angel strike me dumb,
And paralyze my soul, lest my bold lip,
Daring in crime with horrid blasphemy,
Arraign the justice of my fate? That deed,
Will make me reckless of all future sin—
