[He staggers and sinks back heavily toward the pillar. There is breathless, strained suspense. Then the image above, unsettled and shaken by his fall, sways, totters and crushes upon him. A cry, "The Magdalen!" goes up around.
Hassan (hurrying to him; after awe and silence).
He's dead.
Alessa. The Magdalen!
Hassan. No breath in him.
[A pause.
Renier (low, harshly).
Bear him without then ever from this place,
That never more shall know a holy rite—
And from these gates, I care not to what tomb.
[To Amaury.
Then shall you hear this mystery's content,
That still as a madness measures to your sight.
Bear him without.
[The limp body is borne away. All follow but Amaury, Yolanda, Renier.
Now you shall hear, with shame,
But with exalted pride and happy tears;
Then come obliteration!
Speak, girl ... Nobility
Had never better title to its truth.