Act 4 — SCENE V.

The Battlements.

Enter Duke and Hermione.

hermione. A pleasant tale, you say?

duke. A story At which the sad might laugh, the merry weep!

hermione. Strange modes of pleasantry—the sad might laugh?

duke. That his own woes were lighter.

hermione. And yet, withal, The merry weep?

duke. So sad the tale—

hermione. In troth, Most dolorously pleasant!

duke. I've been in love.

hermione. A strange propensity—a punishment Man suffers for his sins. You've been in love? Most melancholy! How! I wot the Duchess Believed you not?

duke. Beatrice yet—mark me— Most tenderly I love. Her long affection Won my regard: but—late, another power— It is not love, 'tis witchery, false glamour Chaining the sense, unwilling to be held In such deep thrall—I've seen a basilisk, And it hath holden me within the circuit Of its charmed eye. How counsel you? how break From its bright glance?

hermione. I know not where, my lord, You're held, or how enchain'd. Knows she your love?

duke. I sought her, and the truth unto her ear I utter'd. Was it well?

hermione. 'Twere answer'd best In the concealed purpose unto which Truth's outward semblance serv'd. What meaning else Behind it crouch'd?

duke. That we might part for ever.

hermione. For ever!—Yes—'twas well! What answer gave she?

duke. Answer?—Oh—'twas well! Then we must part, Hermione?

hermione. We part! Wherefore for ever?

duke. I would not again Cringe in thy burning glance,—and yet—I might— This foolish heart its vanish'd dream forgot— Unmoved endure thy presence! Bitter the pang! I could not say for ever! I should cling As the doom'd wretch to life, loosing his hold But with the heart's last throb!

hermione. I cannot counsel thus! Alas! more need some power above our own To tear us hence—to sever. You will forget This idle thought—'tis but a vagrant breath, Stirring your past affections—they respond Untouch'd, when memory wakes the soft still voice Of other years. Their echoes o'er, again Peace, haply frighted thence, your bosom visits. I would not now for ever part!

duke. Then for a time—when absence The torn heart heals, we meet again. Hermione, For thee, in this night's converse, have I risk'd My happiness, my hope, and every comfort Which most I prize—my peace, my honour—all Committed to thy trust—true confidence If not in mutual charge—nor interchange Of strict communion held. If one alone The precious load entrusts, it is o'erbalanced Without due counterpoise, reciprocal faith, And it endures not. Tell me—nay, but listen— This heart unfetter'd, offer'd thee, unplighted, Would'st thou have ta'en?

hermione. Indeed, I cannot now Such wild words answer. Spare me but this trial—

duke. Nay, answer me—what—silent?—why 'tis well. And so we part—but I repent me now Thou hast my trust. No answer?—then 'tis well! We part for ever! On that treacherous face I would not gaze again.

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 hell-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 pass. 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, dæmon! Unseal mine eyeballs!—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 shore 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 Assassins, 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 assailants. One of the Assassins 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, hell-destined spirit! [Stabs him.

carlos. Oh—fly!—save ye, my friends—escape whilst yet— The guards—this fiend hath summon'd—— [Falls.

hermione (rushes towards the Duke). Cowards! ye cannot escape. They come!

bertrand (tearing off his mask). Then swifter come Insatiate vengeance. To thy place, proud Mantua! [Makes a desperate lunge at the Duke, who falls.

duke. A mortal thrust! Hermione, now—now— Farewell—'tis past!

bertrand. Thou leavest not thy paramour. [Stabs Hermione. Hence! to the pale ghosts howl in company.

hermione. I'd bless thee——for this—— [Dies.

Enter Guard, Soldiers; they seize the Conspirators.

duke. Too late ye come— Life ebbs fast from my veins—mine eyes are dim; But there's a voice—or death unreins my fancy— Comes o'er mine ear, I do remember, mingling Ere now 'mid mortal strife.

bertrand. 'Tis I: mine hate is quench'd but with the blood That nourish'd thee! Now to your dungeons lead me: Your rarest tortures—haste. This blest revenge Will slake your hottest fires, heal the hurt flesh, Make the unpitying rack a gentle pillow. Softer than cygnet down, or thy death-couch, Unsceptred Duke. Guards, do your office.

duke. Unhappy man! thy fierce, untamed spirit, In its own fiery nature, hath to endure What bodily tortures reach not. I forgive thee. But this good city, thy most unjust hate This night bereaves of her protector, seeks Her just atonement! Bear me hence—Beatrice, To thy loved arms. Would that I ne'er had left thee— A fearful meeting now—Hermione! What—dead! My cup is drain'd e'en to the dregs, The vessel shiver'd, dash'd erewhile to earth!— Just Heaven! I bow to thee! Thou hast not sent my spirit Unshriven to thy bar—brief space on earth My span of time, but unto thee I turn, Abused mercy; grant with my last last hour Repentance, and thy promised pardon! [Exeunt Attendants with the Duke.