Volume 2 / Act 4 — Scene I
Reading edition
Scene—Butler's Chamber.
Butler, and Major Geraldin.
Butler. Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes, For there must be no firing—— Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room, And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in And cry—Who is loyal to the Emperor? 5 I will overturn the table—while you attack Illo and Tertsky, and dispatch them both. The castle-palace is well barred and guarded, That no intelligence of this proceeding May make its way to the Duke.—Go instantly; 10 Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux And the Macdonald?—— Geraldin. They'll be here anon. [Exit Geraldin.
Butler. Here's no room for delay. The citizens Declare for him, a dizzy drunken spirit Possesses the whole town. They see in the Duke 15 A Prince of peace, a founder of new ages And golden times. Arms too have been given out By the town-council, and a hundred citizens Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard. Dispatch then be the word. For enemies 20 Threaten us from without and from within.