[The COUNTESS as if about to speak, but ALARCOS stops her.]

Nay, time presses, wife.

[The COUNTESS slowly re-enters her Chamber.]

V:3:67 ALAR.

I am alone--with Death. And will she look Serene as this? The visage of a hero Stamped with a martyred end! Thou n.o.ble Moor!

What if thy fate were mine! Thou art at rest: No dark fulfilment waits o'er thee. The tomb Hath many charms.

[The COUNTESS calls.]

V:3:68 COUN.

Alarcos!

V:3:69 ALAR.

Ay, anon.

Why did she tell me that she lived? Methought It was all past. I came to confront death; And we have met. This sacrificial blood-- What, bears it no atonement? 'Twas an offering Fit for the G.o.ds.

[The midnight bell.]

She waits me now; her hand Extends a diadem; my achieveless arm Would wither at her scorn. 'Tis thus, Solisa, I gain thy heart and realm!

[ALARCOS moves hastily to the Chamber, which he enters; the stage for some seconds is empty; a shriek is then heard; ALARCOS re-appears, very pale, and slowly advances to the front of the stage.]

'Tis over and I live. I heard a sound; Was't Oran's spirit?

I'll not rest here, and yet I dare not back.

The bodies? Nay, 'tis done--I'll not shrink now.

I have seen death before. But is this death?

Methinks a deeper mystery. Well, 'tis done.

There'll be no hour so dark as this. I would I had not caught her eye.

[A trumpet sounds.]

The Warder's note!

Shall I meet life again?

[Another trumpet sounds.]

[Enter the SENESCHAL.]

V:3:70 SEN.

Hors.e.m.e.n from Court.

V:3:71 ALAR.

The Court! I'm sick at heart. Perchance she's eager, And cannot wait my coming.

[Enter two COURTIERS.]

Well, good sirs!

V:3:72 1ST COURT.

Alas, my lord.

V:3:73 ALAR.

I live upon thy words.

What now?

V:3:74 1ST COURT.

We have rode post, my lord.

V:3:75 ALAR.

Bad news Flies ever. 'Tis the King?

V:3:76 1ST COURT.

Alas!

V:3:77 ALAR.

She's ill.

My horse, my horse there!

V:3:78 1ST COURT.

Nay, my lord, not so.

V:3:79 ALAR.

Why then I care for nought.

V:3:80 1ST COURT.

Unheard-of horror!

The storm, the storm--

V:3:81 ALAR.

I rode in it.

V:3:82 1ST COURT.

Methought Each flash would fire the Citadel; the flame Wreathed round its pinnacles, and poured in streams Adown the pallid battlements. Our revellers Forgot their festival, and stopped to gaze On the portentous vision. When behold!

The curtained clouds re-opened, and a bolt Came winged from the startling blue of heaven, And struck--the Infanta!

V:3:83 ALAR.

There's a G.o.d of Vengeance.

V:3:84 1ST COURT.

She fell a blighted corpse. Amid the shrieks Of women, prayers of hurrying mult.i.tudes, The panic and the stir we sought for thee; The King's overwhelmed.

V:3:85 ALAR.

My wife's at least a Queen, She reigns in Heaven. The King's o'erwhelmed--poor man Go tell him, sirs, the Count Alarcos lived To find a h.e.l.l on earth; yet thus he sought A deeper and a darker.

[Falls.]