The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby - BestLightNovel.com
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HERMIONE.
My lord, you must-- If this suffice--I answer--_Yes!_
DUKE.
Angel Of soul visiting light! the storm hath still'd At thy omnipotent word! I would not----
_Enter ZORAYDA hastily, before the DUKE; she points to the stream._
What notest thou, dun sorceress?--speak!
ZORAYDA.
Yon shadow!
DUKE.
Yet two full hours unspent, ere on the stream Yon pennon flits: and now we part. But who Sent thee with such authority--with power To question, and to watch, with daring eye, Mine every movement? I have sought thee, fiend!
If thine h.e.l.l-vomited sire protect thee not, Again thou shalt not 'scape. I charge thee, witch!
Confederate with foul treachery.
ZORAYDA.
There's treason in the air!
Meet not the wind, it blows incontinently-- The maid hath other lovers.
HERMIONE.
Hag! thy meaning?
We study not ambiguous phrase.
DUKE.
I'll crush thy treason, Ere it be ripe for hatching.
[_As the DUKE raises the silver call to his lips, ZORAYDA seizes his arm._
ZORAYDA.
'Tis for thy rescue--stay! one moment stay Thy rash resolve. If I depart, undone, Destroy'd this night!
[_The DUKE makes the signal._ Rash prince! it shriek'd thy doom!
_Enter Guard._
DUKE.
Seize that bold traitress!--stop her hated croak!
Lest each ensnared accomplice, if such be Within her call, gain tidings of her seizure.
To-morrow, and in private, mark me, Hugo, We hear her further.
ZORAYDA.
To-morrow!--nay, to-night, proud Duke.
To-morrow is not thine. Beware!
[_They lead her away._
DUKE.
Of thee!
Thou fearful wonder. 'Tis not idle terror O'ermasters me, but yon foul-plotting witch Quails me unwarily. Our country's welfare, Perchance, brings o'erused caution; yet the wise No proffer'd warning slights. Within the palace We may defy an ambush'd foe.
HERMIONE.
To this, Ere mischief burst abroad, I would entreat.
Yon being hath intelligence not breathed From mortal lips!
DUKE.
I dare not say The last farewell: the coming word, when summon'd, So galls my tongue, it hath no utterance When it might pa.s.s. The breath that from it issues Parches my palate; like the hot simoom, It scorches, though it sweep as stilly o'er Some blasted, bladeless desert!-- I dream!--or I am fool'd!--unbind me, daemon!
Unseal mine eyeb.a.l.l.s!--they are possess'd--again!
Glazed with thy mockeries! I see not: hark!
'Tis but the mental image to the brain Recoiling: yet as palpable it comes!
What seest thou?--yon shadow?--where?
HERMIONE.
Yon shadow?
DUKE.
It cannot be: a brief told moment past, I marked beyond the brink, on the dim wood, The shadow waving. Now 'tis strange. There!--there!
How keen this air creeps curdling to my vitals!-- The shadow yet hangs dark and motionless On sh.o.r.e and wave!
HERMIONE.
Whence comes this wondering terror?
The flag hath on its staff but newly dropp'd-- Look to the turret, why that spell-bound gaze So wildly on the stream!
DUKE.
Fell hag! thy boding screech Too surely sped. They come! Protect me, Heaven!
_Enter four a.s.sa.s.sins, masked. Three of them attack the DUKE, ere he can make signals for the Guard; whilst their leader seizes on HERMIONE._
HERMIONE.
Help!--murderers! Unhand me, wretch.
[_He stops her mouth._
CARLOS.
Wretch! 'tis thy Carlos come to woo--not now To kiss thy very footprints, and the earth Whereon they fell! I'll bear thee hence, my mistress; And thou shalt live my menial slave. Rage not-- I'll tame thy spirit, lady. Thou shalt crouch, My gentle captive, as thy Carlos once, To lick the dust, and I will spurn thee. Nay, Content thee, dame, our friends will do thee service.
[_The DUKE defends himself against his a.s.sailants.
One of the a.s.sa.s.sins falls._
DUKE.
There, villain! my good brand hath served thee.
[_HERMIONE, whilst struggling with CARLOS, frees herself by a sudden effort, and seizes the sword of the dying ruffian._
HERMIONE.
I'll bury this, deep, to thy heart, monster, If thou approach. Help, guards!
CARLOS.
Thy tongue I fear More than thy weapon. [_Attempts to cover her mouth._
HERMIONE.
Then to thy doom, h.e.l.l-destined spirit! [_Stabs him._
