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THE

VESPERS OF PALERMO;

A TRAGEDY.

ACT THE FIRST.

Scene I.—A Valley, with Vineyards and Cottages.

Groups of Peasants—Procida, disguised as a Pilgrim, amongst them

    1 Peasant. Ay, this was wont to be a festal time
In days gone by! I can remember well
The old familiar melodies that rose
At break of morn, from all our purple hills,
To welcome in the vintage. Never since
Hath music seem'd so sweet! But the light hearts
Which to those measures beat so joyously
Are tamed to stillness now. There is no voice
Of joy thro' all the land.

    2 Pea. Yes! there are sounds
Of revelry within the palaces,
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.

B

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