COUNTESS.
Not till You have discover"d 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 The Imperialists" 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 In Egra? Treason! Treason!--Where"s the Duke?
[_She rushes to the Gallery._]
SCENE X
_Servants run across the Stage, full of terror. The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses_.
SENI (_from the Gallery_).
A 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 (_rushing across the stage_).
Help! help! the d.u.c.h.ess!
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 murder"d!
BURGOMASTER (_rushing out_).
Heaven forbid!
1ST SERV.
Fly! fly! they murder us all!
SECOND SERVANT (_carrying silver plate_).
That way! the lower Pa.s.sages are block"d up.
VOICE (_from behind the Scene_).
Make room for the Lieutenant-General!