soon
When in that gilded basin there the king must see your
head."
The king knocked harshly at the door as these last words
were said:
"If the Countess still is living, quick, quick, make haste to
slay."
"The Countess says her orisons, but soon she will be dead,
And in a single moment's space her soul will pass away."
"Oh, let me say a final prayer to bid the world good-night."