hief and throws
it to him. He kisses it, and placing it in his
bosom, smiles, then slowly exeunt, U.E.R._

_Enter BASIL hurriedly, L. FLORENCE comes from
the door of the house to meet him. She is dressed
in a white robe._

_Bas._ Well, madam, how is it! To live or die?

_Flor._ Oh! hasten, hasten. They are gone; you may
Fall down, be stopp'd, give me the pardon--quick!

_Basil._ No! I think not. I'll take it. Think you of
Your promise--will you keep it?

_Flor._ Yes! yes! if I live
A month, I will be thine.

_Basil._ Tis well! I go:
I am a little lame, but shall be there,
I do protest, in time. They give some moments
To stale device of prayer; as if they car'd
For him they slay--What! anxious? So am I,
That have so great a stake in this event,
To save a brother and to gain a wife--

[_Kisses the tips of his fingers._]

A rivederci, as the Italian saith. [_Goes out, U.E.R._]

_Flor._ The hands of yonder clock do pierce my heart
Like daggers till he comes. O God! forgive me,
Let me but know him safe, and die of joy,
Ere I have time to think upon the rest.

_Enter ELIZABETH, L., as if just risen. At the same
time, WILLIAM and the HOST, accompanied by a Guard,
pass by, from L. to U.E.R._

_Will._ This way, this way!

_Eliz._ Do you not hear the hollow bell still tolling?
Hark!

_Flor._ There is no sound now--

_Eliz._ If my father said
He should not die, it was to comfort me;
Do not believe them, if they tell you so.
Give me your arm unto the scaffold, girl.

[_Florence hesitates._]

Jealous?--Is this a time?--What!--

[_Two or three Attendants come in._]

Then I'll go
Alone-- [_She takes one of her Attendants by the arm._]

_Flor._ Nay, dear Elizabeth! his life
Is sav'd--

_Eliz._ Believe them not; wilt thou not come?
Nay, then! [_Exit with Ladies, U.E.R._]

_Flor._ What means her passion? He comes not!
My heart grows chill--
Would I might follow her.
I promis'd not. Did I not see the pardon.
O, this is dreadful!

_Re-enter BASIL, U.E.R._

_Distant shouting is heard._

_Basil._ Hear you there? He lives!

_Flor._ [_Falls on her knees._] O Heaven! I thank thy gracious mercy.

_Basil._ Now!
Remember thou art pledged to be my bride.

_Flor._ Have I then sav'd his life, to torture him
With base destruction of the thing he loves?

_Basil._ Give me thine hand.

_Flor._ No! no! There is a portal
By which the trembling victim may escape
Fro