Part 19 (1/2)

SCENE IV.--_The Senate-chamber._

ZETHO _and_ Senators; _afterwards_ GYCIA.

_Zetho._ What is the hour?

_Bardanes._ It wants five minutes only To midnight. Think you she will come?

_Zetho._ I know her.

She is the soul of honour, and would keep Her word if 'twere her death.

_Bard._ But would she keep it If 'twere her lover's?

_Zetho._ She thinks not that it is, Nor should it be, indeed, were we but true As I believe her.

_Bard._ True! There is no truth In keeping faith with murderers; they must perish In the same net which they laid privily Against a faithful city.

_Enter_ GYCIA, _tottering in, with the keys._

_Zetho._ Hail, n.o.ble daughter! Thou hast saved the State.

I knew thou wouldst not fail us.

_Gycia._ See, good Zetho, The proof that I have done my part to you.

There are the master keys of all the doors Within the palace. When I closed the last, A few brief minutes since, there was no sound Nor light in hall or chamber; every court Was silent as the grave.

_Bard._ Ay, as the grave It is, or will be soon.

_Gycia._ What mean you, sir, I pray you? I am but a timid woman, Full of foreboding fears and dread of ill, And such a doubt doth overspread my soul, Hearing thy words, I think I shall go mad.

Nay, Zetho, he is safe; I have your promise Thou wouldst not harm him. An o'erwhelming force, Thou saidst, should so surround them that resistance Were vain, and ere the dawn they should go hence Without one drop of bloodshed.

_Zetho._ Ay, my daughter, Such was the promise.

_Bard._ And it will be kept.

[_Bell strikes midnight._

Hark, 'tis the hour! An overwhelming force

[_A red glare rising higher and higher is seen through the windows of the Senate-chamber. Confused noises and shouts heard without._

Surrounds them, but no drop of blood is shed.

All will go hence ere dawn.

_Gycia._ Oh, cruel man, And most perfidious world! Oh, my Asander!

To die thus and through me!

[_A violent knocking is heard at the door._

_Enter_ THEODORUS _in great agitation, and_ IRENE, _who throws herself on her knees, weeping._ GYCIA _falls swooning in Zetho's arms._

_Zetho._ Whence cam'st thou, Theodorus?

_Theo._ Straight, my lord, From Gycia's palace.