University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The great hall of the castle.
Enter the Countess, meeting Sophera; a confused noise heard without, and a discharge of cannon.
Countess.
What sawst thou from the turrets, for thy face
Looks pale and terrified? The din increases;
They have not made a breach?

Soph.
I hope they have not; but that fearful engine
Is now against our weakest buttress pointed.
[Cannon heard again.
It roars again; have mercy on us, heaven!
How the walls shake, as if an earthquake rock'd them!

Countess.
My child, my child! I'll to the lowest vaults
Convey him instantly.

Soph.
But you forget th' attack is still directed
Against the eastern side; here he is safe.

Countess.
And may th' Almighty ever keep him so!

[Cannon without.
Soph.
Again the horrible roar!

Countess.
Our ruin'd walls are weak, our warriors few:
Should they effect a breach!—O Garcio, Garcio!
Where wand'rest thou, unblest, unhappy man,
Who hadst our safeguard been! Enter Pietro.

Ha! bringst thou tidings?

Pie.
Ay, and fearful tidings.
The foe have made a breach, and through the moat,
Now grown so shallow with the summer drought,
Have made their way.

Countess.
Where does Rovani fight?

Pie.
He did fight in the breach most valiantly;
But now the foemen o'er his body pass,
For he is slain, and all, I fear, is lost.

Countess.
It must not be: I'll to the walls myself;
My soldiers will with desperate courage fight,
When they behold their wretched mistress near.

Soph.
(endeavouring to prevent her).
O, madam, do not go!
Alas, alas! our miserable fate!

Countess.
Restrain me not with senseless lamentations;
Driven to this desp'rate state, what is my choice?
For now I must be bold, or despicable.

[Exeunt.