Part 27 (1/2)

CARLOS.

Oh--fly!--save ye, my friends--escape whilst yet-- The guards--this fiend hath summon'd---- [_Falls._

HERMIONE (_rushes towards the DUKE_).

Cowards! ye cannot escape. They come!

BERTRAND (_tearing off his mask_).

Then swifter come Insatiate vengeance. To thy place, proud Mantua!

[_Makes a desperate lunge at the DUKE, who falls._

DUKE.

A mortal thrust! Hermione, now--now-- Farewell--'tis past!

BERTRAND.

Thou leavest not thy paramour.

[_Stabs HERMIONE._ Hence! to the pale ghosts howl in company.

HERMIONE.

I'd bless thee----for this---- [_Dies._

_Enter Guard, Soldiers; they seize the Conspirators._

DUKE.

Too late ye come-- Life ebbs fast from my veins--mine eyes are dim; But there's a voice--or death unreins my fancy-- Comes o'er mine ear, I do remember, mingling Ere now 'mid mortal strife.

BERTRAND.

'Tis I: mine hate is quench'd but with the blood That nourish'd thee! Now to your dungeons lead me: Your rarest tortures--haste. This blest revenge Will slake your hottest fires, heal the hurt flesh, Make the unpitying rack a gentle pillow.

Softer than cygnet down, or thy death-couch, Unsceptred Duke. Guards, do your office.

DUKE.

Unhappy man! thy fierce, untamed spirit, In its own fiery nature, hath to endure What bodily tortures reach not. I forgive thee.

But this good city, thy most unjust hate This night bereaves of her protector, seeks Her just atonement! Bear me hence--Beatrice, To thy loved arms. Would that I ne'er had left thee-- A fearful meeting now--Hermione!

What--dead! My cup is drain'd e'en to the dregs, The vessel s.h.i.+ver'd, dash'd erewhile to earth!-- Just Heaven!

I bow to thee! Thou hast not sent my spirit Unshriven to thy bar--brief s.p.a.ce on earth My span of time, but unto thee I turn, Abused mercy; grant with my last last hour Repentance, and thy promised pardon!

[_Exeunt Attendants with the DUKE._

LEGENDS.

One of the following Legends, The Crystal Goblet, was written for the Traditions of the County of York. It appeared by permission in an Annual ent.i.tled, ”The White Rose of York;” but having only had a local circulation at the time, and having been carefully revised by the Author during the last winter of his life, it finds a place in the present volume.

MOTHER RED CAP;