e wish----
_Amel._ [_Eagerly._] Oh! name it, name it,
But ask me nothing light in action: ask me
Something strange, hard, and painful: Something, such
As none would dare to do but one who loves.
Name, name this blessed wish.
_Caesa._'Tis this--From midnight,
Till my return, avoid the royal tower.
_Amel._ I promise; yet what reason----
_Caesa._ When we meet
Thou shalt know all; till then forgive my silence:
Seal with a kiss thy promise, then farewell.
[_Here_ Alfonso _advances in silence; his eyes are fixed on his
daughter, his hands are folded, and his whole appearance expresses the
utmost dejection._]
_Amel._ Farewell, since it must be farewell----But mark,
See not Ottilia ere you go.
_Caesa._ I will not.
_Amel._ And when the bell's deep tongue announces midnight,
Breathe thou my name, for at that hour, my love,
I'll think on thee.--That hour! Oh, fool! as if
Hours could be found in which I think not on thee.
And must thou go?--Nay, if thou must, away,
Or I shall bid thee stay, and stay forever.
Farewell my husband!
_Caesa._ My soul's joy, farewell!
_Amel._ Oh! pain of parting!
[_Turning round, her eye rests on_ Alfonso. _She starts, and remains as
petrified with terror. After a pause, he passes her in silence; but, on
his reaching the door, she rushes towards him, her hands clasped in
supplication._]
Father!
[Alfonso _motions to forbid her following, and goes off_.]
_Amel._ Oh! I'm lost! [_She falls senseless on the ground._]
_End of Act II._
ACT III.
SCENE I.----_A chamber in the palace._
_Enter_ Ottilia _and_ Inis.
_Otti._ Was it so sudden?--What, no cause assigned,
And so severe a shock too?--Trust me, Inis,
Thy tale alarms me.
_Inis._ On the earth we found her
Senseless and cold: we raised and bore her hither,
Where she revived only to sigh and sorrow,
Wring her fair hands, and shriek her father's name.
_Otti._ 'Tis wondrous strange,--Mourning my own afflictions,
This rumour reached me; straight all else forgotten,
Hither by love and duty urged I sped,
Nor come I trust in vain,----this phial holds
Drops of most precious power.--Good Inis take it,
And in your lady's drink infuse this liquid:
My life upon her cure.
_Inis._ Obedience best
Will speak my thanks, nor doubt----Lo, where approaches
My lady's ghostly father, holy Bazil.
_Enter Father_ Bazil.
_Bazil._ Pardon that rudely thus I break your parley,
But from the king I come, to bid the
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