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 h.e.l.l-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 pa.s.s. 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, daemon!

Unseal mine eyeb.a.l.l.s!--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 sh.o.r.e 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 a.s.sa.s.sins, 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 a.s.sailants.

One of the a.s.sa.s.sins 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, h.e.l.l-destined spirit! [_Stabs him._