ith terror).
Heavens! What would you do? Would you then murder me?

MARQUIS (drawing a dagger).
Yes, that is my resolve. Be speedy!

EBOLI.
Mercy!
What have I then committed?

MARQUIS (looking towards heaven, points the dagger to her breast).
Still there's time--
The poison has not issued from these lips.
Dash but the bowl to atoms, all remains
Still as before! The destinies of Spain
Against a woman's life!

[Remains doubtingly in this position.

EBOLI (having sunk down beside him, looks in his face).
Do not delay--
Why do you hesitate? I beg no mercy--
I have deserved to die, and I am ready.

MARQUIS (letting his hand drop slowly--after some reflection).
It were as cowardly as barbarous.
No! God be praised! another way is left.

[He lets the dagger fall and hurries out. The PRINCESS
hastens out through another door.

SCENE XVIII.

A Chamber of the QUEEN.
The QUEEN to the COUNTESS FUENTES.

What means this noisy tumult in the palace?
Each breath to-day alarms me! Countess! see
What it portends, and hasten back with speed.

[Exit COUNTESS FUENTES--the PRINCESS EBOLI rushes in.

SCENE XIX.

The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI.

EBOLI (breathless, pale, and wild, falls before the QUEEN).
Help! Help! O Queen! he's seized!

QUEEN.
Who?

EBOLI.
He's arrested
By the king's orders given to Marquis Posa.

QUEEN.
Who is arrested? Who?

EBOLI.
The prince!

QUEEN.
Thou ravest

EBOLI.
This moment they are leading him away.

QUEEN.
And who arrested him?

EBOLI.
The Marquis Posa.

QUEEN.
Then heaven be praised! it was the marquis seized him!

EBOLI.
Can you speak thus, and with such tranquil mien?
Oh, heavens! you do not know--you cannot think----

QUEEN.
The cause of his arrest! some trifling error,
Doubtless arising from his headlong youth!

EBOLI.
No! no! I know far better. No, my queen!
Remorseless treachery! There's no help for him.
He dies!

QUEEN.
He dies!

EBOLI.
And I'm his murderer!

QUEEN.
What! Dies? Thou ravest! Think what thou art saying?

EBOLI.
And wherefore--wherefore dies he? Had I known
That it would come to this!

QUEEN (takes her affectionately by the hand).
Oh, dearest princess,
Your senses are distracted, but collect
Your wandering spirits, and relate to me
More calmly