The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby - novelonlinefull.com
You’re read light novel The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby Part 26 online at NovelOnlineFull.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit NovelOnlineFull.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
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._
