Sivard. And who art thou, That thus would swallow all the glory up That should redeem the times? Behold this breast, The sword has tilled it; and the stripes of slaves Gust. Ha! Say you, brother? Were you there—Oh, grief! Where liberty and Stenon fell together? Siv. Yes, I was there.-A bloody field it was, Conquered. Gust. Oh, Danes! Danes! You shall weep blood for this. Shall they not, brother? A life for every blow, and, when we fall, There shall be weight in't; like the tottering towers, Siv. Brave, brave man! My soul admires thee. By my father's spirit, For immortality! Nor we alone Here be the trusty gleanings of that field, Where last we fought for freedom; here's rich poverty, Though wrapped in rags-my fifty brave companions; Who through the force of fifteen thousand foes Gust. Why, captain, We could but die alone, with these we'll conquer. Siv. Death! Victory or death! Arnoldus. Spoke like yourselves.-Ye men of Dalecarlia, Brave men and bold! whom every future age Shall mark for wondrous deeds, achievements won From honor's dangerous summit, warriors all! Speak, name the man, Who then should meet your wish? Siv. Forbear the theme. Why wouldst thou seek to sink us with the weight Could the dead awake, thou wert the man. Gust. Didst thou know Gustavus ? Siv. Know him! Oh, heaven! what else, who else was worth The knowledge of a soldier? That great day, When Christiern, in his third attempt on Sweden, Of sweetness mixed with glory-grace inestimable! As best might thank him. But from that blessed day bow, as to the relics of my saint: Each morn I drop a tear on every bead, Count all the glories of Gustavus o'er, Gust. Rightly thought, For so thou dost, my soldier, Behold your general, Gustavus! Come once more to lead you on To laureled victory, to fame, to freedom! Siv. Strike me, ye powers! It is illusion all! It cannot-It is, it is! (Falls and embraces his knees.) Rise to my arms, my friend. Siv. Friend! say you, friend? Oh, my heart's lord! my conqueror! my→ Gust. Approach, my fellow-soldiers, your Gustavus Claims no precedence here. Haste brave men! Collect your friends, to join us on the instant; SELECTION XIX. DURAZZO-GARCIA-PEREZ.-Haynes. Durazzo. Now Perez, give your happy master joy, And change the title of your reverence To suit his new condition. I am come, Ennobled by the king, to mate with greatness. Perez. Thank heaven, I live to call you lord; therefore, My lord, I give you joy. Dur. Proclaim it far, That those who mocked my humble state may gnaw Their lips with envy. "Tis not that I prize The empty title for its empty sake; "Tis but a phrase; yet, as the world is caught Throughout the realm. Per. It shall not lack my voice. Dur. I met a noble as I came, who thought To look me out of favor with myself, As he was wont to do. My soul was nigh Dur. Depart. (Exit Perez.) And let us be alone. What! would he break No leave obtained-no question asked; but in, Garcia. Durazzo! (Enter Garcia.) Dur. My lord Again, or Garcia, as you choose to speak, Gar. "Tis bold, sir,-nay, methinks Gar. I was so this morning. But see, 'tis mid-day now. Thinkest thou yon orb, Of growing hours and seasons?—think again; Gar. I would keep down this swelling of my heart To reason calmly with your haughtiness. Dur. My haughtiness! Gar. Ay, haughtiness; what else Could breed this lofty tone? Those trappings, too, Dur. By your favor, sir, 'Tis sometimes prudent to adorn our limbs, That fools, who look no deeper, thence may see We mean to be respected. Gar. But to change, As you have done, in dress, in manner, word, Had set your soul and body in a flame, your voracious anger. Dur. I might chance To know some voices in the jubilee, Gar. Have you not crawled your way to this? Dur. "Twas fate Ordained it so; but I have broke her spells, And here stand up for my prerogative, What I have done Enlarged, and free to act. And suffered was necessity: what more I do, shall be from choice, and speak the mind So, having won my place, I will assume You cast on others, lest yourself be found No purer than you should, and what you've done Dur. Have you aught To urge besides? Gar. But to apply the rule. Let no vindictive spirit against Benducar Revenge.-Bethink you, I have passed my word Dur. Oh! as the insult fell On me, I know how calmly you can bear it; A gnat that stung my flesh.-The hand which strikes 'T'he purposes of its omnipotence : But that whose force a mortal shoulder wields, To God and man. Gar. I came not here to listen to this rudeness. Dur. Nay, I've some notion of the cause that brought you. Was it to try the terror of your frown? Gar. Did I not raise you-make you what you are? Dur. With the king's help. Gar. You sneer, but it was so. Dur. Went your intention with it, when you knew not My object, nor my claim? Gar. No matter now; "Tis now enough to wonder at your fortunes. |