University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

An apartment in one of the towers of the palace.
Enter Valeria in great alarm, followed by Lucia and attendants.
Val.
Louder and louder still the dreadful sound
Of battle swells. Is it not nearer us?
This lofty tower the widest view commands;
Open that lattice quickly.
[Pointing to a window which Lucia opens, and then, rushing on eagerly to look, shrinks back again.
I pray thee look thyself, mine eyes are dark,
And I see nothing. Oh, what seest thou?
Tell me, whate'er it be.

Lucia
(looking out).
Nothing but clouds of smoke and eddying dust:
A dun and grumly darkness spreads o'er all,
From which arise those horrid sounds, but nought
Distinctive of the sight can I discern.

Val.
(after pacing backward and forward with an unequal, restless, agitated step).
Oh, will this state of tossing agony
No termination have! Send out, I pray thee,
Another messenger.

Lucia.
Indeed I have in little space of time
Sent many forth, but none return again.

Val.
In little space! Oh it hath been a term
Of horrible length! such as rack'd fiends do reckon
Upon their tossing beds of surgy flames,
Told by the lashes of each burning tide
That o'er them breaks. Hark! the quick step of one
With tidings fraught! Dost thou not hear it?

Lucia.
No;
I hear it not.

Val.
Still is it the false coinage of my fears?
Ah! hearing, sight, and every sense is now
False and deceitful grown. I'll sit me down,
And think no more, but let the black hour pass
In still and fixed stupor o'er my head.

[Sits down upon a low seat, and supports her bended head upon both her hands.
Lucia
(listening).
Now I do hear the sound of real feet
In haste approaching.

Val.
(starting up).
Some one brings us tidings.
What may they be? Quick steps should bring us good. Enter Messenger.

Say all thou hast to say, and say it quickly.
If it be good, hold up thy blessed hand,
And I will bless the token. No, thou dost not!
'Tis evil then. How is it with my lord?
What dangers still encompass him?

Mes.
No dangers.

Val.
And dost thou say so with that terrible look?
Is he alive? Have all deserted him?

Mes.
No, round his body still some brave men fight,
And will not quit him till they be as he is.

[Valeria, uttering a loud shriek, falls back into the arms of her attendants, and is carried off, followed by Lucia and the messenger.