Obey, at once! and at to-morrow's sunset!

(_ANTONIO is taken and led out._)

HELENA (_falling at CHARLES' feet_): You cannot, will not--O, he
is your son
And loves you much!

CHARLES: Touch me not! touch me not!
(_To HAEMON._) Lead her away--and quickly, quickly, quickly!
(_HAEMON goes with HELENA through the postern._
Friends--friends-- (_unsteadily_) I am--quite--friendless now--?
(_Clutching his wounded arm._) Ah--quite! (_He faints._)

FULVIA: Charles! Charles! my lord! return!--A numbness
Has barred the way of soothing to his breast!

CURTAIN.

ACT FOUR

_Scene._--_A chamber in the Castle, opening on the right to a hall,
curtained on the left from another chamber. In the rear is a window
through which may be seen silvery hills of olive resting under the
late afternoon sun: by it a shrine. Enter the CAPTAIN of the Guard
and a SOLDIER from the Hall._

SOLDIER: There is no more?

CAPTAIN: Not if you understand.

SOLDIER: That do I--every link of it! I've served
Under the bold de Montreal, and he
For stratagems--well, Italy knows him!

CAPTAIN: You must be quick and secret.

SOLDIER: As the end
Of the world!

CAPTAIN: Our duty's with the duke. But then
Antonio has our love.

SOLDIER: That has he! Ah,
That has he!

CAPTAIN: Well, be close. None must escape,
Remember, none be hurt. As for the princess,
We'll hear the chink of ducats with her thanks.

SOLDIER: Madonna save her!--The Judas of a father
Who robs her rest!

CAPTAIN (_looking down the hall_): 'Tis she who comes this way.
So go, and haste. But fail not.

SOLDIER: If I do,
Bury me with a pagan, next a Turk!
(_Goes._

_Enter FULVIA._

CAPTAIN: Princess--

FULVIA: Our plans grow to fulfilment--are
No way misplanted?

CAPTAIN: Lady, all seems now
Seasonable for their expected fruit.

FULVIA: No accident appears to threat and thwart them?

CAPTAIN: Doubt not a fullest harvest of your hope.
The duke himself shall for this deed at last
Have benediction.

FULVIA: May it be! He's quick,
Though quicker in forgetting. I will move
Him as I may.

CAPTAIN: The kind and wise assaults
Your words shall make must move him, gracious lady.

_En