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THE VESPERS OF PALERMO.

A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

COUNT DI PROCIDA.

RAIMOND DI PROCIDA, his Son.

ERIBERT, Viceroy.

DE COUCI.

MONTALBA.

GUIDO.

ALBERTI.

ANSELMO, a Monk.

VITTORIA.

CONSTANCE, Sister to Eribert.

Nobles, Soldiers, Messengers, Vassals, Peasants, &c. &c.

SCENE-Palermo

АСТ І.

SCENE IA Valley, with Vineyards and Cottages. Groups of Peasants-PROCIDA, disguised as a Pilgrim, among them.

1st Pea. Ay, this was wont to be a festal time In days gone by! I can remember well

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The old familiar melodies that rose

Never since

But the light hearts

At break of morn, from all our purple hills,
To welcome in the vintage.
Hath music seem'd so sweet.
Which to those measures beat
Are tamed to stillness now.
Of joy through all the land.
2d Pea.

Of revelry within the palaces,

so joyously,

There is no voice

Yes there are sounds

And the fair castles of our ancient lords,

Where now the stranger banquets. Ye may hear, From thence the peals of song and laughter rise

At midnight's deepest hour.

3d Pea.

Alas! we sat,

In happier days, so peacefully beneath

The olives and the vines our fathers rear'd,
Encircled by our children, whose quick steps

Flew by us in the dance! The time hath been
When peace was in the hamlet, wheresoe'er
The storm might gather. But this yoke of France
Falls on the peasant's neck as heavily

As on the crested chieftain's. We are bow'd
E'en to the earth.

Pea's Child. My father, tell me when
Shall the gay dance and song again resound
Amidst our chestnut-woods, as in those days
Of which thou'rt wont to tell the joyous tale?
1st Pea. When there are light and reckless hearts

once more

In Sicily's green vales. Alas! my boy,

Men meet not now to quaff the flowing bowl,
To hear the mirthful song, and cast aside

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