University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Before the gate of the prison; the stage dark, excepting a lamp hung over the gate; sentinels discovered on watch.
Enter Balthazar with a dark lantern.
1st sen.
Stand! who art thou?

Bal.
A friend, connected with the noble prisoner.

Sen.
Stand there aloof; thou mayst not enter yet.

Enter Friar by the opposite side.
1st sen.
Ho there!

Friar.
A friend.

2d sen.
A friend! What seekst thou here?

Friar.
I am a priest, confessor to Henriquez.

1st sen.
Thou shalt have entrance presently.

Friar.
I thank thee.
[Going up close to Bal.
Thou art Balthazar?

Bal.
And thy servant, father.

Friar.
Thou'rt up betimes; it is still pitchy night.

Bal.
Nay; look thou eastward; you dull line of light,
Bounding the sable darkness of the earth
From the sky's fainter gloom: it is the dawn.

Friar.
Ha! runs the time so fast! what noise is that?

Bal.
The hum of distant voices, and the sound
Of preparation for the awful morn.
As I now pass'd along, in every street
I heard the eager citizens astir,
While light from many a lattice gleam'd. And onward,
As I approach'd th' appointed place, I saw
Round the fenced spot, already gather'd, groups
Of men and women, young and old, whose faces
Did seem, from darkness, as from nothing sprung,
Touch'd with the torches' glaring light, which downward
Stream'd from the lofty scaffold, whereon forms
Of busy artists at their fatal work,
And ghastly headsmen moving to and fro,
Appear'd like blacken'd fiends. Dost thou not hear
The stroke of hammers, and that sounding plank?
There comes a strange and thrilling coldness o'er me.
[A pause and noise without.
I little thought to feel such ruth for him,
The man who slew my good and noble master.

Friar.
Why shouldst thou not? the feeling does thee honour;
And he doth for that rash and rueful deed
Make dear and great amends. The gate is open'd.

[Exeunt into the prison.