 | Count Julian |  |
SCENE IV.
Enter Klebel.Would I were hence. I like not her last look.
'Twas a rash step to come. O! what gross dolts,
To lend ourselves the tools of others' passions.
We who're at best the victims of our own.
Dare she, she'll slake her hate in my heart's blood.
Herein I lack of her fierce quality,
Else had I prosper'd better.—Ha! Count Rudolf.
(Enter Rudolf.)
Rudolf.
The bold intruder:—if alive he 'scape—
Klebel.
Ah! my fears. (As Rudolf is going off he seizes his arm)
Whither so fast, Count Rudolf?
Rudolf.
Villain, unhand me.
Klebel.
Villain! on this spot
Who dares to call me villain?
Rudolf.
Wretch, what mean you?
Klebel.
If I'm a villain with what fouler word
Shall I your mother stamp?
Rudolf.
My mother!
Klebel.
Aye.
Of that dark crime the lesser part was mine;
The uglier half was hers.
67
Shameless liar!
Thy slanderous tongue has hiss'd its last black lie.
Hence from the earth to seek thy mates in hell.
Klebel.
Hold back—thou'rt young—thou know'st not what a fury
Governs a desperate man.
Rudolf.
But thou shalt know
What wrath wakes in a slander'd mother's son.
(They fight, Rudolf falls behind the scenes.)
O! I'm slain.
Klebel.
(Staggering in.)
Blood at last.—I'm sorely wounded.
O! what an end!
(Sinks on the ground.)
Countess.
(Behind the scenes.)
Where, where is he?
Klebel.
Ha! 'tis she.
Countess.
(Rushes in with Rudolf's sword in her hand.)
Ha! Caitiff—blood-hound—Hast thou but one life?
A hundred could not feed my vast revenge.
Take thy last pang from me, thou faithless dog.
(Stabs him.)
Klebel.
My curses on you.—I have breath—to tell you—
The child—I spar'd him—he lives.
Rudolf.
(Behind the scenes.)
Mother! O! Mother!
Countess.
Ah! (Rushes out.)
| Count Julian | |