Volume 3 / Act 5 — SCENE X
Reading edition
Servants run across the Stage, full of terror. The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses.
SENI (from the Gallery).
A bloody, frightful deed!
COUNTESS.
What is it, Seni?
PAGE (from the Gallery).
O piteous sight!
[Other servants hasten in with torches.]
COUNTESS.
What is it? For God's sake!
SENI.
And do you ask? Within, the Duke lies murder'd—and your husband Assassinated at the Castle.
[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?
GORDON.
Your house is cursed to all eternity. In your house doth the Duke lie murder'd!
BURGOMASTER (rushing out).
Heaven forbid!
1ST SERV.
Fly! fly! they murder us all!
SECOND SERVANT (carrying silver plate).
That way! the lower Passages are block'd up.
VOICE (from behind the Scene).
Make room for the Lieutenant-General!
[At these words the COUNTESS starts from her stupor, collects herself, and retires suddenly.]
VOICE (from behind the Scene).
Keep back the people! Guard the door!