Frances de Barry.
a Monoscenic Drama. the circumstances historical. [1]
_____
Dear Scene the ramparts of Leu<au>cate. [2] Frances De
Barry. [3] Herald. de Loupian [4] –
Frances—
Bid
here the Captains of the garrison.
And the chief Citizens –
Herald – My errand Lady
Is for your private ear.
Frances. – Reserve it therefore –
I have no private ear! the day your craft
Entrapt De Barry,
[5] – whom by courage never
Ye had subdued, that day did I become
My husbands image here, like him the servant
Of France, & faithful to my trust like him.
Frances – Peace! anon & thou shalt have
Thy scope of speech.
(Enter Captains &c–)
Now Herald, do thine errand.
Herald.
Thus say the Leaders of the League:
[6] their troops
Hem in Laucate; they hold the country round, –
The Tyrant
[7] daily weakening, daily prest
Closer & closer by their righteous arm,
Desperate himself of safety, can afford
No succour here. resistance boots not here,
Your town perforce must fall. yet are the League
Mindful of mercy, rightly as befits
The champions of the church, & like the church
By wholesome terror as by promised grace
Would make you wise to safety. yield the town
And ransomless your husband shall be free.
But if, relying on deceitful hopes
Lady! & obstinate in waste of blood,
Still you provoke their vengeance, my return
Condemns De Barry. yonder he is bound
Waiting the event – & ye shall see him die
The victim of your crime.
Frances. – Ye turn your eyes,
Defenders of Laucate! as tho in doubt
Towards me! – look – my husband from his prison
Sent me this handkerchief with charcoal traced –
“Keep the town well” – say to De Barry, Herald,
His wife received the token. if he dies,
I have a womans feelings: – but his honour –
That is beyond your power, & in my grief
There will be consolation.
Herald –
This – your answer?
Captain—
Yet more.
ye see the hostage in our hands
power
By Montmorency
[8] sent, De Barrys pledge
Of safety. as a noble gentleman
His image hath been here.
Hath he been guarded here.
De Loupian.
with all indulgence
Never was foe by foe, more honourably
Intreated.
Captain. – Tell the League his life depends
Upon De Barry –
(Exit Herald)
Frances to De Loupian. Think you they will act
Their threatening?
De Loupian – As a soldier I must deem
The crime impossible. but as my life
Hangs on the issue – Lady I have fears.
But – look! – what stir is yonder in the camp? –
Oh base & bloody men!
Frances – It is my husband!
De Loupian.— He kneels – as tho for death – !
Captain – your life De Loupian
Is in the event.
De Loupian. Then Christ have mercy on me! –
That was De Barrys death.
many voices – Away with him –
Away with him – vengeance – away with him –
Frances, uncovering her face.
Hold Frenchmen! unpolluted by a crime,
Unspotted by in his
honour, hath my husband
Died in his countrys cause. no cruelty
No act of impotent revenge shall stain
The memory of his fate. shall I revenge
In innocent blood the life that by a treason
I would not save? – De Loupian – thou art safe!
Return to Montmorency, say to him
De Barrys xxx widow will
defend Laucate.
–––––
My dear Sir.
Dec. 24. 1799.
