University of Virginia Library

SCENE XV.

Castor and Eliza wounded, Godrick and Albert enter on different sides of the Stage.
Godr.
What is this Cry of Murder? Who are here?

Albert.
Godrick! art thou in Safety?—Treason's nigh!
What hoa, there! Lights.—Good Heav'n defend us all.

Castor.
I'm fall'n into the Snare myself had laid!
Oh, Mischief, Mischief of my own dull Brains.
Where can I go to fly from Shame and Fate?—
My Blood runs fast!—But she has mist my Heart!
Oh, to the Dagger guide my Hand some Fiend!—
But Hell has now forsook me.—All my Guilt
Comes flashing on me, and with Flames so strong
As Nature can't sustain.—Forgetful Brain!
I want the Means of Death, and wear a Sword.—

[As Castor is going to kill himself, Servants enter with Lights.
Albert.
O stop this Rage of Slaughter:—Castor!—Hah!—

Godr.
What do I see! Eliza bleeding here!—

Albert.
Support this wounded Man; and on your Lives,
Take care he does no farther Violence.

[To the Servants.
Eliza.
Why who art thou?—Perfidious Monster, off!
Go leave me to the Fate your Crimes have dealt me;
And live to Plagues, to Horror, and Remorse.—
Have I no Friend to lead me from this Place?
And bless me with some Dungeon's safe Retreat,
Secure from further Guilt, and guilty Men!

Castor.
Yes, I can tear my Wound and drag out Life.

[Struggling.
Albert.
Convey him hence, and bear the Lady in:
There farther Inquests must be made, and Truth,
If possible, work'd out by cooler Heads than ours.
Away with him.—

[Eliza is led off.
Castor.
Hah! Whither? To my Fate?
To public Infamy?—a shameful End!
And after,—here Imagination, stop!—
Oh, Death, compose this Terror in my Mind.—