ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

Time-Past Midnight.

A large Street in Genoa.-Here and there the Lamps at some Houses are seen burning, but gradually go out.—In the back ground is a view of the St. Thomas Gate, which is closed.- Beyond this again, in perspective, is the Sea.Several people cross the Stage with Lanterns, &c.-Afterwards the Round and Patroles.-All is quiet.-The Sea alone beats rudely at a distance.

(FIESKO enters in complete Armour, and remains for a short time standing opposite the Duke's Palace.)

FIESKO.

'Tis as the old man told me! The lights extinguished! All the guards removed! I'll ring the bell.-(ringing.)

Thou'rt sold,

Hillo, awake Andreas, awake!

Betray'd and ruin'd! Doria awake, awake!

(ANDREAS appears at the Balcony.)

ANDREAS.

Who rang the bell?

FIESKO (in an altered voice.)

Ask not, but follow me!

Thy star is faded, Prince! thy sun extinguished!
Genoa rebels against thee! Thy Executioners

Are near at hand, and thou canst sleep, Andreas?
ANDREAS (with dignity.)

I remember, when my Bellona struggled

With the waves; the Ocean roar'd in boisterous tempest

Round her; her labouring timbers groaned beneath
The flood, and the big masts roll'd headlong

O'er her quarters, and still- -Andreas' slumbers
Were unbroken! Who sends the Executioners ?

FIESKO.

A man more dreadful than your roaring ocean,
The Count Lavagna, "Ludowick Fiesko !"

ANDREAS.

You're merry, friend, this evening, but bring your jokes

By day-light. 'Tis now too late to listen to them.

And has no time, just now, to think of Doria!

FIESKO.

Unfortunate old man. Trust not the gilded Serpent;

True his scales glitter, but his tooth is poison.
Seven various colours sparkle on his back

And lure the unwary traveller to destruction.
With eager haste he heedlessly approaches.

Intent he gazes on the speckled folds
That roll in subtle brilliancy around him,

"Till fixed and rooted by the reptile's glance,
He finds too late his error, in his ruin.

Thou wouldst not harken to a traitor's voice,
But listen, listen to a friend's entreaties;
Contemn not my advice, I do conjure you!
A Horse stands ready saddled in the Court-Yard.
Fly, fly, Andreas, while the power remains you;
Too soon, 'twill be, too late!

ANDREAS.

Fiesko's heart is noble !

I never injur'd him! He wont betray me!

FIESKO (quickly.)

Yes, yes, his heart is noble! You never injured him,

And yet betrays you!

ANDREAS.

If so, there stands a Body-Guard

That shall ensure my safety, although Fiesko

Paid a Host of Angels!

FIESKO (scornfully.)

I'd like to speak to them;

I've got some letters for eternity,

Dost thou not know, Andreas Doria's

Eighty years of age, and Genoa-happy?

(He quits the Balcony.)

FIESKO (following him with a look of astonishment.)

And must I first of all o'erthrow this man,

Before I learn, how hard it is to imitate him?

(Walking pensively up and down for some moments.)

But no, I've balanced all his claims upon me,
Greatness has vied with greatness, I've opposed,

To Virtue, Virtue! and to Honor, Honor!

At length we're quits, Andreas! And now,

Destruction take thy course! My soul's determin'd! (He hastens down a side Street.-The Drums beat to arms from every quarter.-A sharp Engagement at the Thomas Gate, which is at length burst open and discovers a View of the Harbour and Shipping, all illuminated!

SCENE II.

Enter GIANETTINO DORIA in a scarlet mantle.

LOMELLINO.SERVANTS with Torches.

GIANETTINO (stopping short.)

Who bade them beat to arms?