Part 382 (1/2)

Down with her, down into the darkest dungeon!

MORTIMER.

What is the matter? What has pa.s.sed?

PAULET.

The queen!

Accursed hand! Infernal machination!

MORTIMER.

The queen! What queen?

PAULET.

What queen! The Queen of England; She has been murdered on the road to London.

[Hastens into the house.

SCENE VIII.

MORTIMER, soon after O'KELLY.

MORTIMER (after a pause).

Am I then mad? Came not one running by But now, and cried aloud, the queen is murdered!

No, no! I did but dream. A feverish fancy Paints that upon my mind as true and real, Which but existed in my frantic thoughts.

Who's there? It is O'Kelly. So dismayed!

O'KELLY (rus.h.i.+ng in).

Flee, Mortimer, oh! flee--for all is lost!

MORTIMER.

What then is lost?

O'KELLY.

Stand not on question. Think On speedy flight.

MORTIMER.

What has occurred?

O'KELLY.

Sauvage, That madman, struck the blow.

MORTIMER.

It is then true!

O'KELLY.

True, true--oh! save yourself.

MORTIMER (exultingly).