A madness whispers in me, "Take it away!"

[Staring, hauntedly.

And too, and too ... in solitude the want

Of Rizzio imprisoned comes to me;

Yet when I reach for him I seem enclasped

By unknown arms ... in the sere dark, that ... Oh!

Now, now I feel them! off!

[A knock at the gate.

(Starting)Ah, ah, Aloysius!...

With healing! he at last! (moving toward door) Uncle, the child—