SCENE X. To these enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, pale and disordered. unimpassioned. Her utterance is slow and feeble, and OCTAVIO. (meeting her.) O Countess Tertsky! These are the results Of luckless unblest deeds. COUNTESS. They are the fruits Of your contrivances. The Duke is dead, The keys. OCTAVIO. (with a deep anguish.) O Countess ! my house too is desolate. Who next is to be murdered? Who is next The evil destiny surprised my brother Too suddenly: he could not think on them. Speak not of vengeance! Speak not of maltreatment! COUNTESS (with her eye raised to heaven.) This sure may well be granted us—one sepulchre Beside the sepulchres of our forefathers! OCTAVIO. Countess, you tremble, you turn pale! COUNTESS. (reassembles all her powers, and speaks with energy and dignity.) More worthily of me, than to believe You think I would survive the downfal of my house. Courageous death more worthy of our free station Help! Help! Support her! COUNTESS. Nay, it is too late. [Exit Countess. In a few moments is my fate accomplished. GORDON. O house of death and horrors ! [An officer enters, and brings a letter with the great seal. GORDON. steps forward and meets him.) What is this? It is the Imperial Seal. [He reads the Address, and delivers the letter to Octavio with a look of reproach, and with an emphasis on the word. To the Prince Piccolomini. [Octavio with his whole frame expressive of sudden anguish, raises his eyes to heaven. The Curtain drops. THE END. Thomas White, Printer, VI се сс |