University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Outlaws cave. Enter Theobald and Franko by opposite sides.
Theo.
How now, good captain; draws it near the time?
Are those the keys?

Franko.
They are: this doth unlock
The entrance to the staircase, known alone
To Gomez, ancient keeper of the castle,
Who is my friend in secret, and deters
The neighb'ring peasantry with dreadful tales
From visiting by night our wide domains.
The other doth unlock a secret door,
That leads us to the chamber where she sleeps.

Theo.
Thanks, gen'rous friend! thou art my better genius.
Didst thou not say, until the midnight horn
Hath sounded thrice, we must remain conceal'd?

Franko.
Even so. And now I hear my men without
Telling the second watch.

Theo.
How looks the night?

Franko.
As we could wish: the stars do faintly twinkle
Through sever'd clouds, and shed but light sufficient
To show each nearer object closing on you
In dim unshapely blackness. Aught that moves
Across your path, or sheep or straggling goat,
Is now a pawing steed or grizzly bull,
Large and terrific; every air-mov'd bush
Or jutting crag, some strange gigantic thing.

Theo.
Is all still in the castle?

Franko.
There is an owl sits hooting on the tower,
That answer from a distant mate receives,
Like the faint echo of his dismal cry;
While a poor houseless dog by dreary fits
Sits howling at the gate. All else is still.

Theo.
Each petty circumstance is in our favour,
That makes the night more dismal.

Franko.
Ay, all goes well; as I approach'd the walls,
I heard two sentinels—for now, I ween,
The boldest spearman will not watch alone—
Together talk in the deep hollow voice
Of those who speak at midnight, under awe
Of the dead stillness round them.

Theo.
Then let us put ourselves in readiness,
And heaven's good favour guide us!

[Exeunt.