Norna; or, The Witch's Curse

Scene Second

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The mysterious cave was formed of old furniture, covered with dark draperies, an opening being left at the back wherein the spirits called up by Norna might appear. A kitchen kettle filled with steaming water made an effective caldron over which the sorceress should murmur her incantations; flaming pine-knots cast a lurid glare over the scene; and large boughs, artfully arranged about the stage, gave it the appearance of a "gloomy wood."

When Louis "retires within," he at once arrays himself in the white robes of the vision, and awaits the witch's call to rise behind the aperture in true dramatic style. He vanishes, quickly resumes his own attire, while Norna continues to weave her spells, till she sees he is ready to appear once more as the disguised Count Louis.

Louis. I seek thee, Norna, to learn tidings of one most dear to me. Dost thou know aught of Count Rodolpho's wife? A strange tale hath reached me that not many nights ago she disappeared, and none know whither she hath gone. Oh, tell me, is this true?

Norna. It is false as the villain's heart who framed the tale. I bore the murdered lady to her tomb, and laid her there.

Norna. I can tell thee little. From my hiding-place I heard her vow never to confess whose dagger had been found in her apartment, and her jealous lord, in his wild anger, murdered her.

Louis. 'Twas mine. Would it had been sheathed in mine own breast ere it had caused so dark a deed! Ah, Theresa, why did I leave thee to a fate like this?

Norna. Ha, that's well! Thou wilt join me, for I have made a vow to rest not till that proud, sinful lord hath well atoned for this deep crime. Spirits shall haunt him, and the darkest phantoms that my art can raise shall scare his soul. Wilt thou join me in my work?

Norna. O spirit, from thy quiet tomb,

I bid thee hither through the gloom,

In winding-sheet, with bloody brow,

Rise up and hear our solemn vow.

I bid thee, with my magic power,

Tell the dark secret of that hour

When cruel hands, with blood and strife,

Closed the sad dream of thy young life.

Hither-appear before our eyes.

Pale spirit, I command thee rise.

Shadowy spirit, I charge thee well,

By my mystic art's most potent spell,

To haunt throughout his sinful life,

The mortal who once called thee wife.

At midnight hour glide round his bed,

And lay thy pale hand on his head.

Whisper wild words in his sleeping ear,

And chill his heart with a deadly fear.

Rise at his side in his gayest hour,

And his guilty soul shall feel thy power.

Stand thou before him in day and night,

And cast o'er his life a darksome blight;

For with all his power and sin and pride,

He shall ne'er forget his murdered bride.

Pale, shadowy form, wilt thou obey?

Louis. 'Tis enough! I own thy power, and by the spirit of my murdered sister I have looked upon, I swear to aid thee in thy dark work.

Norna. 'Tis well; and I will use my power to guard thee from the danger that surrounds thee. And now, farewell. Remember,-thou hast sworn.

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