Part 27 (1/2)

A thousand deaths, ere wed with thee. Dost hear?

I am faint. Lo! thy cruel, eager gaze Grows grimly dark and indistinct. Pray Heaven I shall not see it any more. Farewell, I pardon thee.

_Basil._ Not so! May curses blight me, If I do lose thee thus. [_Seizes her._]

_Flor._ Help!

_Basil._ Wilt thou budge Thus from thy promise?--Nay then--

_Flor._ Help! O help!

_Enter ARTHUR, Soldiers, WILLIAM, HOST, &c., U.E.R.

After them WYCKOFF, who stands at a little distance.

Loud cries of ”Pardon, a free pardon from the Protector.”_

_Basil._ What does this mean? Look to your prisoner: seize him.

_An Officer._ [_Seizing Basil._] In the Protector's name, we do!

_Basil._ Away!

Let go!

_An Officer._ [_Points to Arthur._] 'Twere best ask him for mercy. 'Tis For him to say--

_Will._ Ay, ask us, ask me!--Hanging is too good for you. You are found out, and [_points to the Host_]

'twas this blessed old fool that has undone you. Yes, you may look, but your hair will not curl any longer. Your plot is discovered. Noll knows all, and will only spare your life on condition of the colonies. [_During this time Florence and Arthur are locked in each other's arms._] Look there!

There is happiness--there's fish-hooks and broken gla.s.s bottles and tin-tacks in your gullet. Stomach that. Tol de rol!

_Host._ While now they are here, I have a great mind to charge that Wyckoff with my little bill!

_Basil._ O guilt, guilt, guilt!

Success ne'er lit yet on thy feeble brow, But ever mock'd thee with dissembling leer, Whilst at thy feet graves open, at thy heart Remorse points daggers, and thou walk'st the world, Blood on thine hand and fever in thine eye, Friendless, by that thou lovest scorn'd the most.

_Arthur._ [_To Florence._] Thou wilt live now?

_Flor._ I would have died for thee, Joy doth not kill! [_Points to BASIL._]

O, order them to free him; He is thy brother, would have sav'd thee, though For a base guerdon; yet he would have sav'd thee.

_An Officer._ We cannot free him!

_Basil._ [_Points to Wyckoff._] Why not take him too?-- He is guiltier than I am.--

_Wyck._ [_Aloud._] Traitor! O Thou most pernicious traitor. [_Aside._] d.a.m.n him, coward!

He will tell all, unless I stop it thus.

[_Draws his sword._]

This for the Commonwealth! [_Stabs BASIL._]

_Basil._ O, I am kill'd!

Will ye see this?-- [_To Arthur._]