back of the stage; at the same moment BEATRICE rushes
forward, and throws herself into DON MANUEL'S arms.
BEATRICE.
'Tis thou! Ah! cruel one,
Again I see thee-clasp thee-long appalled,
To thousand ills a prey, trembling I languish
For thy return: no more-in thy loved arms
I am at peace, nor think of dangers past,
Thy breast my shield from every threatening harm.
Quick! Let us fly! they see us not!-away!
Nor lose the moment.
Ha! Thy looks affright me!
Thy sullen, cold reserve! Thou tear'st thyself
Impatient from my circling arms, I know thee
No more! Is this Don Manuel? My beloved?
My husband?
DON MANUEL.
Beatrice!
BEATRICE.
No words! The moment
Is precious! Haste.
DON MANUEL.
Yet tell me--
BEATRICE.
Quick! Away!
Ere those fierce men return.
DON MANUEL.
Be calm, for naught
Shall trouble thee of ill.
BEATRICE.
Oh, fly! alas,
Thou know'st them not!
DON MANUEL.
Protected by this arm
Canst thou fear aught?
BEATRICE.
Oh, trust me; mighty men
Are here!
DON MANUEL.
Beloved! mightier none than I!
BEATRICE.
And wouldst thou brave this warlike host alone?
DON MANUEL.
Alone! the men thou fear'st--
BEATRICE.
Thou know'st them not,
Nor whom they serve.
DON MANUEL.
Myself! I am their lord!
BEATRICE.
Thou art-a shudder creeps through all my frame!
DON MANUEL.
Far other than I seemed; learn at last
To know me, Beatrice. Not the poor knight
Am I, the stranger and unknown, that loving
Taught thee to love; but what I am-my race-
My power--
BEATRICE.
And art thou not Don Manuel? Speak-
Who art thou?
DON MANUEL.
Chief of all that bear the name,
I am Don Manuel, Prince of Messina!
BEATRICE.
