University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE THIRD.

Garcia.
Gar.
Alas! who doth impel my footsteps here? ...
Where am I? ... This is most assuredly
The cave of death. For a most noble combat,
In truth, oh Garcia, thou preparest thyself.
Oh heaven! what am I doing? Innocence,
Thou which wert heretofore my only boast,
Thou art no longer mine: the impious blow
I've pledged myself to strike ... and shall I strike it? ...
In every corner of this gloomy cave
I hear a sound of death: and on myself
Alone I cannot now that death inflict. ...
Oh cruel destiny! ... Night's thickest shades
Already cover all things; and 'tis come,
Nay, 'tis exceeded, the tremendous hour!—
Assuredly Piero did dispatch
The messenger of death: why should I doubt?
Did Piero e'er delay to do a thing
That might endanger others? The embassy,
Too certainly was sent! ... Unhappy friend!
Thou with security awaitest me,
In the impious cave, destined to be thy tomb ...
Thy tomb? ... Shall I destroy thee? Never, never.
Why do I grasp thee, hated sword of Cosmo?
Far from me, cursed instrument! ...