There is no need of

BUTLER.

my arm.
GORDON.

The most guilty

Have perished, and enough is given to justice. (The Groom of the Chamber advances from the gallery with his finger on his mouth, commanding silence.)

GORDON.

He sleeps! O murder not the holy sleep!

BUTLER

No! he shall die awake.

(is going.)

GORDON.

His heart still cleaves

To earthly things: he's not prepared to step

Into the presence of his God!

BUTLER. (going.)

BUTLER.

Unhold me! What

Can that short respite profit him?

GORDON.

O-Time

Works miracles. In one hour many thousands
Of grains of sand run out; and quick as they
Thought follows thought within the human soul.
Only one hour! Your heart may change its purpose,
His heart may change its purpose-some new tidings
May come; some fortunate event, decisive,

May fall from Heaven and rescue him. O what
May not one hour achieve!

BUTLER.

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.

GORDON. (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!

BUTLER. (forcing him out of the way.)

Weak-hearted dotard!

(trumpets are heard in the distance.)

DEVEREUX and MACDONALD.

Hark! The Swedish trumpets!

The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten!
GORDON. (rushes out.)

O God of Mercy!

BUTLER. (calling after him.)

Governor, to your post!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER. (hurries in.)

Who dares make larum here? Hush! The Duke

sleeps.

DEVEREUX. (with loud harsh voice.)

Friend, it is time now to make larum.

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER.

Murder!

BUTLER.

Help!

Down with him!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, (run through the

body by Devereux, falls at the entrance of the gallery.)

Jesus Maria!

VOL. III.

EE

Burst the doors open!

BUTLER.

(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 herself
Is no where to be found! The Neubrunn too,
Who watched by her, is missing. If she should
Be flown-But whither flown? We must call up
Every soul in the house. How will the Duke
Bear up against these worst bad tidings? O
If that my husband now were but returned
Home from the banquet: Hark! I wonder whether
The Duke is still awake! I thought I heard

Voices and tread of feet here! I will go

And listen at the door. Hark! What is that? "Tis hastening up the steps!

SCENE VII.

COUNTESS, GORDON.

GORDON. (rushes in out of breath.)
"Tis a mistake,

"Tis not the Swedes-Ye must proceed no further

Butler! O God! Where is he?

(then observing the Countess.)

Countess! Say—

COUNTESS.

You are come then from the castle? Where's my husband?

GORDON. (in an agony of affright.)

Your husband!Ask not!-To the Duke

COUNTESS.

You have discovered to me

GORDON.

Not till

On this moment

Does the world hang. For God's sake! to the Duke.

While we are speaking—

[calling loudly.

Butler Butler! God!

COUNTESS.

Why, he is at the castle with my husband.

[Butler comes from the gallery.