The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge - LightNovelsOnl.com
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The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten! 5
_Gordon (rushes out)._ O, G.o.d of Mercy!
_Butler (calling after him)._ Governor, to your post!
_Groom of the Chamber (hurries in)._ Who dares make larum here? Hus.h.!.+
The Duke sleeps.
_Devereux (with loud harsh voice)._ Friend, it is time now to make larum.
_Groom of the Chamber._ Help!
Murder!
_Butler._ Down with him!
_Groom of the Chamber (run through the body by Devereux, falls at the entrance of the gallery)._ Jesus Maria!
_Butler._ Burst the doors open! 10
[_They rush over the body into the gallery--two doors are heard to crash one after the other--Voices deadened by the distance--Clash of arms--then all at once a profound silence._
SCENE VI
_Countess Tertsky (with a light)._ Her bed-chamber is empty; she herself Is no where to be found! The Neubrunn too, Who watched by her, is missing. If she should Be flown--But whither flown? We must call up Every soul in the house. How will the Duke 5 Bear up against these worst bad tidings? O If that my husband now were but returned Home from the banquet: Hark! I wonder whether The Duke is still awake! I thought I heard Voices and tread of feet here! I will go 10 And listen at the door. Hark! What is that?
'Tis hastening up the steps!
SCENE VII
_COUNTESS, GORDON._
_Gordon (rushes in out of breath)._ 'Tis a mistake, 'Tis not the Swedes--Ye must proceed no further-- Butler! O G.o.d! Where is he? [_Then observing the COUNTESS._ Countess! Say----
_Countess._ You are come then from the castle? Where's my husband?
_Gordon._ Your husband!--Ask not!--To the Duke---- 5
_Countess._ Not till You have discovered to me----
_Gordon._ On this moment Does the world hang. For G.o.d's sake! to the Duke.
While we are speaking---- [_Calling loudly._ Butler! Butler! G.o.d!
_Countess._ Why, he is at the castle with my husband.
[_BUTLER comes from the gallery._
_Gordon._ 'Twas a mistake--'Tis not the Swedes--it is 10 The Imperialist's Lieutenant-General Has sent me hither, will be here himself Instantly.--You must not proceed.
_Butler._ He comes Too late. [_GORDON dashes himself against the wall._
_Gordon._ O G.o.d of mercy!
_Countess._ What too late?
Who will be here himself? Octavio 15 In Egra? Treason! Treason! Where's the Duke?
[_She rushes to the gallery._
LINENOTES:
[Before 5] _Gordon (in an agony of affright)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE VIII
Servants _run across the stage full of terror. The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses._
_Seni (from the gallery)._ O b.l.o.o.d.y 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 G.o.d's sake!
_Seni._ And do you ask?
Within the Duke lies murder'd--and your husband a.s.sa.s.sinated at the Castle.
[_The COUNTESS stands motionless._
_Female Servant (rus.h.i.+ng across the stage)._ Help! Help! the d.u.c.h.ess! 5
_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 murdered!
_Burgomaster (rus.h.i.+ng out)._ Heaven forbid!
_First Servant._ Fly! fly! they murder us all!
_Second Servant (carrying silver plate)._ That way! The lower 10 Pa.s.sages are blocked 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._
