ADVERTISEMENT. THIS production is founded partly on the story of a Novel called "The Three Brothers,» published many years ago, from which M. G. Lewis's «Wood Demon"> was also taken and partly on the « Faust" of the great Goëthe. The present publication contains the two first parts only, and the opening chorus of the third. The rest may perhaps appear hereafter. THE DEFORMED TRANSFORMED. PART I. SCENE I.-A FOREST. Enter ARNOLD and his mother BERTHA. BERTHA. OUT, hunchback! ARNOLD. I was born so, mother! BERTHA. Out! Thou incubus! Thou night-mare! Of seven sons The sole abortion! ARNOLD. Would that I had been so, And never seen the light! BERTHA. I would so too! But as thou hast—hence, hence--and do thy best. That back of thine may bear its burthen; 't is ARNOLD. It bears its burthen; but, my heart! Will it you: nothing Save you, in nature, can love aught like me. You nursed me-do not kill me! BERTHA. Yes-I nursed thee, Because thou wert my first-born, and I knew not That monstrous sport of nature. But get hence, ARNOLD. I will: but when I bring it, Speak to me kindly. Though my brothers are As the free chase they follow, do not spurn me: BERTHA. As is the hedge-hog's, Which sucks at midnight from the wholesome dam ARNOLD (Solus.) (Exit BERTHA. Oh mother!--She is gone, and I must do Her bidding;-wearily but willingly I would fulfil it, could I only hope A kind word in return. What shall I do? (ARNOLD begins to cut wood in doing this he wounds one of his hands. My labour for the day is over now. Accursed be this blood that flows so fast; For double curses will be my meed now At home. What home? I have no home, no kin, To share their sports or pleasures. Must I bleed too (ARNOLD goes to a spring, and stoops to wash his hand he starts back. They are right; and nature's mirror shows me And shall I live on, A burthen to the earth, myself, and shame (He pauses. |