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 The old familiar melodies that rose Never since But the light hearts At break of morn, from all our purple hills, 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, Flew by us in the dance! The time hath been As on the crested chieftain's. We are bow'd Pea's Child. My father, tell me when once more In Sicily's green vales. Alas! my boy, Men meet not now to quaff the flowing bowl, |