Vic. I am then King! As I became a King Despite the nations-kept myself a King— So I die King, with Kingship dying too Around me! I have lasted Europe's time! What wants my story of completion? Where Must needs the damning break show! Who mistrusts My children here-tell they of any break 'Twixt my day's sunrise and its fiery fall? And who were by me when I died but they? Cha. What means he? Ever there! Vic. Charles-how to save your story? Mine must go! I spend without a sight of you, then die— The world! Cha. Vic. Mistrust me? Help! Past help, past reach "Tis in the heart—you cannot reach the heart: This broke mine, that I did believe, you, Charles, Would have denied and so disgraced me. Pol. Charles Has never ceased to be your subject, Sire! Twas from a too intense appreciation Of your own character: he acted you— I hold him worlds the worse on that account; Cha. [to POLYX.] I love you, now, indeed! [To VICTOR.] You never knew me! Hardly till this moment Vic. As guile. Is this my daughter's forehead ?-Yes- Than formerly-I've ploughed the deep lines there God of eclipse and each discolour'd star, D'Ormea! Come nearer to your King! Now stand! [Collecting his strength as D’ORMEA approaches But you lied, D'Ormea! I do not repent. [Dies COLOMBE'S BIRTHDAY. A Play. Ivy and violet, what do ye here. With bossom and shoot in the warm spring-weather, Hiding the arms of Monchenci and Vere?" HANMED Dedication. NO ONE LOVES AND HONOURS BARRY CORNWALL MORE THAN ROBERT BROWNING DOES; WHO, HAVING NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS PLAY TO GIVE HIM IN PROOF OF T MUST SAY 80. VALENCE, Advocate of Cleves. PRINCE BERTHOLD, Claimant of the Duchy. MELCHIOR, his Confidant. PLACE, The Palace at Juliers. TIME, 16 ACT I. Morning. SCENE.-A corridor leading to the Audience-Chamber. Gaucelme, Clugnet, Maufroy, and other Courtiers round Gui BERT, who is silently reading a paper: as he drops it at the end— Gui. That this should be her birthday; and the day We all invested her, twelve months ago, As the late Duke's true heiress and our liege; And that this also must become the day... |