But. No! he shall die awake. Gor. [Is going. His heart still cleaves To earthly things: he's not prepared to step Into the presence of his God! But. (going) God's merciful! Gor. (holds him.) Grant him but this night's respite. But. (hurrying off.) May ruin all. Gor. (holds him still.) One hour!. Can that short respite profit him! Gor. The next moment Unhold me! What O-Time Works miracles. In one hour many thousands May fall from Heaven and rescue him. O what But. You but remind me, How precious every minute is! [He stamps on the floor. SCENE V. To these enter MACDONALD, and DEVEREUX, with the Halberdiers. Gor. (throwing himself between him and them.) No, monster! First over my dead body thou shalt tread. I will not live to see the accursed deed! But. (forcing him out of the way.) Weak-hearted dotard! Dev. and Mac. [Trumpets are heard in the distance. Hark! The Swedish trumpets! Let us hasten! The Swedes before the ramparts! Governor, to your post! Groom of the Chamber (hurries in.) Who dares make larum here? Hush! The Duke sleeps. Dev. (with loud harsh voice.) Friend, it is time now to make larum. Groom of the Chamber. Murder! But. Down with him! Help! Groom of the Chamber (run through the body by DEVEREUX, falls at the entrance of the gallery.) Jesus Maria! But. Burst the doors open! [They rush over the body into the gallery-two doors are heard to crash one after the other-Voices deadened by the distance-Clash of arms-then all at once a profound silence. SCENE VI. Countess Tertsky (with a light.) Her bed-chamber is empty; she Is nowhere to be found! The Neubrunn too, Who watched by her, is missing. If she should And listen at the door. Hark! What is that? SCENE VII.-Countess, GORDON. Gor. (rushes in out of breath.) 'Tis a mistake, Butler! O God! Where is he? [Then observing the COUNTESS. Coun. You are come then from the castle? husband! Where's my Gor. (in an agony of affright.) Your husband!—Ask not!—To Coun. the Duke- You have discovered to me- Gor. Not till On this moment Does the world hang. For God's sake! to the Duke. [Calling loudly. Butler! Butler! God! Coun. Why, he is at the castle with my husband. [BUTLER comes from the gallery. Gor. 'Twas a mistake-'Tis not the Swedes-it is He comes [GORDON dashes himself against the wall. But. O God of mercy! In Egra? Treason! Treason! Where's the Duke? [She rushes to the gallery. SCENE VIII.-(Servants run across the stage full of terror. Coun. Page. (from the gallery.) O piteous sight! The What is it, Seni? [Other Servants hasten in with torches. And do you ask? Coun. What is it? For God's sake! [The COUNTESS stands motionless. Female Servant. (rushing across the stage.) Help! Help! the Duchess! Burgomaster. (enters.) What mean these confused Loud cries, that wake the sleepers of this house? In your house doth the Duke lie murdered! 1st. Ser. Fly! fly! they murder us all! Heaven forbid ! That way! The lower Voice. (from behind the Scene.) Make room for the Lieutenant General ! [At these words the COUNTESS starts from her stupor, collects Voice. (from behind the Scene.) Keep back the people! Guard SCENE IX.-To these enters OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his Oct. (entering abruptly.) It must not be! It is not possible! I'll not believe it. Say no! [GORDON, without answering, points with his hand to the Dev. (to BUTLER.) Here is the golden fleece-the Duke's sword- But. (pointing to OCTAVIO.) Here stands he who now [DEVEREUX and MACDONALD retire with marks of obei E E Oct. (turning to BUTLER.) Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted? O God of Justice! To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty Thus to abuse the orders of thy Lord And stain thy Emperor's holy name with murder, With bloody, most accursed assassination? But. (calmly.) I've but fulfilled the Emperor's own sentence. Infusing a dread life into their words, And linking to the sudden transient thought The unchangeable irrevocable deed. Was there necessity for such an eager Despatch? Could'st thou not grant the merciful A time for mercy? Time is man's good Angel. And the fulfilment of it, doth beseem God only, the immutable! But. For what Rail you against me? What is my offence? I pulled the string. You sow'd blood, and yet stand I make my best speed to Vienna; place My bleeding sword before my Emperor's Throne, From a just judge. [Exit BUTLER. SCENE X.-To these enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, pale and disordered. Her utterance is slow and feeble, and unimpassioned. Oct. (meeting her.) O Countess Tertsky! These are the results Of luckless unblest deeds. Coun. |