Part 398 (1/2)

And sobs and women's moans are all I hear.

Now, they undress her; they remove the stool; She kneels upon the cus.h.i.+on; lays her head----

[Having spoken these last words, and paused awhile, he is seen with a convulsive motion suddenly to shrink and faint away; a confused hum of voices is heard at the same moment from below, and continues for some time.

SCENE XI.

The Second Chamber in the Fourth Act.

ELIZABETH (entering from a side door; her gait and action expressive of the most violent uneasiness).

No message yet arrived! What! no one here!

Will evening never come! Stands the sun still In its ethereal course? I can no more Remain upon the rack of expectation!

Is it accomplished? Is it not? I shudder At both events, and do not dare to ask.

My Lord of Leicester comes not,--Burleigh too, Whom I appointed to fulfil the sentence.

If they have quitted London then 'tis done, The bolt has left its rest--it cuts the air-- It strikes; has struck already: were my realm At stake I could not now arrest its course.

Who's there?

SCENE XII.

Enter a PAGE.

ELIZABETH.

Returned alone? Where are the lords?

PAGE.

My Lord High-Treasurer and the Earl of Leicester?

ELIZABETH.

Where are they?

PAGE.

They are not in London.

ELIZABETH.

No!

Where are they then?

PAGE.

That no one could inform me; Before the dawn, mysteriously, in haste They quitted London.

ELIZABETH (exultingly).

I am Queen of England!

[Walking up and down in the greatest agitation.

Go--call me--no, remain, boy! She is dead; Now have I room upon the earth at last.

Why do I shake? Whence comes this aguish dread?

My fears are covered by the grave; who dares To say I did it? I have tears enough In store to weep her fall. Are you still here?