George Canning and George Ellis
Song by Rogero
(German Tragedy)
Whene’er with haggard eyes I view
This dungeon that I’m rotting in,
I think of those companions true
Who studied with me at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen—
-niversity of Gottingen.
[Weeps, and pulls out a blue ‘kerchief, with which he wipes his eyes; gazing tenderly at it, he proceeds.]
Sweet ‘kerchief, check’d with heavenly blue,
Which once my love sat knotting in,
Alas, Matilda then was true,
At least I thought so at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen—
-niversity of Gottingen.
[At the repetition of this line Rogero clanks his chains in cadence.]
Barbs! barbs! alas! how swift you flew,
Her neat post-waggon trotting in!
Ye bore Matilda from my view;
Forlorn I languish’d at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen—
-niversity of Gottingen.
This faded form! this pallid hue!
This blood my veins is clotting in!
My years are many—They were few
When first I enter’d at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen—
-niversity of Gottingen.
There first for thee my passion grew,
Sweet! sweet Matilda Pottingen!
Thou wast the daughter of my tu-
-tor, Law Professor at the U-
-niversity of Gottingen—
-niversity of Gottingen.
Sun, moon, and thou vain world, adieu,
That kings and priests are plotting in;
Here doom’d to starve on water gru-
-el never shall I see the U-
-niversity of Gottingen!—
-niversity of Gottingen!
[During the last stanza Rogero dashes his head repeatedly against the walls of his prison, and, finally, so hard as to produce a visible contusion. He then throws himself on the floor in an agony. The curtain drops—the music still continuing to play, till it is wholly fallen.]