spare the precious life of him you love.
Even now you triumph in the death of Douglas;
Now your loose fancy kindles at the thought,
And, wildly rioting in lawless hope,
Indulges the adultery of the mind.
But I'll defeat that wish.--Guards, bear her in.
Nay, do not struggle. [_she is borne in._

_Per._ Let our deaths suffice,
And reverence virtue in that form inshrin'd.

_Dou._ Provoke my rage no farther.--I have kindled
The burning torch of never-dying vengeance
At love's expiring lamp.--But mark me, friends,
If Percy's happier genius should prevail,
And I should fall, give him safe conduct hence,
Be all observance paid him.--Go, I follow thee. [_aside to Edric._
Within I've something for thy private ear.

_Per._ Now shall this mutual fury be appeas'd!
These eager hands shall soon be drench'd in slaughter!
Yes--like two famish'd vultures snuffing blood,
And panting to destroy, we'll rush to combat;
Yet I've the deepest, deadliest, cause of hate,
I am but Percy, thou'rt--Elwina's husband. [_exeunt._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I. ELWINA'S APARTMENT.

_Elw._ Thou who in judgment still remember'st mercy,
Look down upon my woes, preserve my husband!
Preserve my husband! Ah, I dare not ask it;
My very prayers may pull down ruin on me!
If Douglas should survive, what then becomes
Of--him--I dare not name? And if he conquers,
I've slain my husband. Agonizing state!
When I can neither hope, nor think, nor pray,
But guilt involves me. Sure to know the worst
Cannot exceed the torture of suspense,
When each event is big with equal horror. [_looks out._
What, no one yet? This solitude is dreadful!
My horrors multiply!

_Enter Birtha._

Thou messenger of woe!

_Bir._ Of woe, indeed!

_Elw._ How, is my husband dead?
Oh, speak!

_Bir._ Your husband lives.

_Elw._ Then farewell, Percy!
He was the tenderest, truest!--Bless him, heaven,
With crowns of glory and immortal joys!

_Bir._ Still are you wrong; the combat is not over.
Stay, flowing tears, and give me leave to speak.

_Elw._ Thou sayest that Percy and my husband live;
Then why this sorrow?

_Bir._ What a task is mine!

_Elw._ Thou talk'st as if I were a child in grief,
And scarce acquainted with calamity.
Speak out, unfold thy tale, whate'er it be,
For I am so familiar with affliction,
It cannot come in any shape will shock me.

_Bir._ How shall I speak? Thy husband----

_Elw._ What of Douglas?

_Bir._ When all was read