The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 77

Which is proof against all force.

EMILIA.

But not against all seduction. Force! Force! What is that? Who may not defy force? What you call force is nothing. Seduction is the only real force. I have blood, my father, as youthful and as warm as that of others. I have senses too. I cannot pledge myself: I guarantee nothing.

I know the house of Grimaldi. It is a house of revelry--a single hour spent in that society, under the protection of my mother, created such a tumult in my soul, that all the rigid exercises of religion could scarcely quell it in whole weeks. Religion! And what religion? To avoid no worse snares thousands have leapt into the waves, and now are saints. Give me the dagger, then, my father, give it to me.

ODOARDO.

And didst thou but know who armed me with this dagger----

EMILIA.

That matters not. An unknown friend is not the less a friend. Give me the dagger, father, I beseech you.

ODOARDO.

And if I were to give it you?--what then? There! (_He presents it_)

EMILIA.

And there! (_She seizes it with ardour, and is about to stab herself when_ Odoardo _wrests it from her_.)

ODOARDO.

See how rash----No; it is not for thy hand.

EMILIA.

Tis true; then with this bodkin will I! (_she searches for one in her hair, and feels the rose in her head_). Art thou still there? Down, down! thou shouldst not deck the head of one, such as my father wishes me to be!

ODOARDO.

Oh! my daughter!

EMILIA.

Oh, my father! if I understand you. But no, you will not do it, or why so long delayed. (_In a bitter tone, while she plucks the leaves of the rose_.) In former days there was a father, who, to save his daughter from disgrace plunged the first deadly weapon which he saw, into his daughter's heart--and thereby gave her life, a second time. But those were deeds of ancient times. Such fathers exist not now.

ODOARDO.

They do, they do, my daughter (_stabs her_). G.o.d of heaven! What have I done? (_supports her in his arms as she sinks_.)

EMILIA.

Broken a rose before the storm had robbed it of its bloom. Oh, let me kiss this kind parental hand.

Scene VIII.

The Prince, Marinelli, Odoardo, Emilia.

PRINCE (_entering_).

What means this? Is Emilia not well?

ODOARDO.

Very well, very well.

PRINCE (_approaching her_.)

What do I see? Oh, horror!

MARINELLI.

I am lost!

PRINCE.

Cruel father, what hast thou done.

ODOARDO.

Broken a rose before the storm had robbed it of its bloom. Said you not so, my daughter?

EMILIA.

Not you, my father. I, I myself----

ODOARDO.

Not thou my daughter--not thou! Quit not this world with falsehood on thy lips. Not thou, my daughter--thy father, thy unfortunate father.

EMILIA.

Ah!--My father----(_Dies in his arms. He lays her gently on the floor_.)

ODOARDO.

Ascend on high! There, Prince! Does she still charm you? Does she still rouse your appet.i.tes?--here, weltering in her blood--which cries for vengeance against you. (_After a pause_.) Doubtless you wait to see the end of this. You expect, perhaps, that I shall turn the steel against myself, and finish the deed like some wretched tragedy. You are mistaken. There! (_Throws the dagger at his feet_.) There lies the blood-stained witness of my crime. I go to deliver myself into the hands of justice. I go to meet you as my judge: then I shall meet you in another world, before the Judge of all. (_Exit_.)

PRINCE (_after a pause, during which he surveys the body with a look of horror and despair, turns to_ Marinelli).

Here! Raise her. How! Dost thou hesitate? Wretch! Villain! (_Tears the dagger from his grasp_.) No. Thy blood shall not be mixed with such as this. Go: hide thyself for ever. Begone, I say. Oh G.o.d! Oh G.o.d! Is it not enough for the misery of many that monarchs are men? Must devils in disguise become their friends?