 | Gycia |  |
SCENE III.
—Outside the banquet hall. Darkness.Gycia hurriedly descends the steps, closing the great doors of the banquet hall softly.
Gycia.
I hear no sound within; the lights are gone,
And all the hall is dark. These doors alone
Of all the many outlets of the palace
Remain unlocked. There is not now a moment
To lose ere midnight comes, and here I hold
The safety of our Cherson. Oh, my love!
I could not tell thee all, nor recompense
Thy faith in me, since duty held me fast—
My duty which should also prove thy safety,
For now the solemn promise of the State
Is pledged to hold thee harmless, and defeat
The shameful plot I knew was never thine,
Without one drop of bloodshed. All my path
Shows clear as noonday, and I save our city
And those who with thee err in innocence.
Why do I hesitate? Yet does some dark
And dreadful presage of impending ill
So haunt me that I know not how to face it.
I dare not do it. I must stay with him,
Or bring him forth with me.
[Ascends the steps, throws open the doors, and finds all darkness and silence.
Asander! husband!
It is thy wife who calls! Come forth, Asander!
[Listens.
Nay, there is no one there. I cannot stay;
This is mere folly. I must keep my word;
There's not a moment's time, or all is lost.
Which is the key?
[Closes the doors and locks them with a clang.
I must go forth alone
To the Senate-chamber. I have saved our Cherson
And my Asander!
[Totters down the steps and exit hurriedly.
| Gycia | |