first attendant.
It is the tread
Of some roused deer: upon the rustling leaves
Man's bolder foot falls not so lightly.
bertrand.
The day its custom'd hour forgets,
And lingers in its chamber, loth to rise,
With unveil'd face, on the wide ruin
Of this hush'd tempest.
first attendant.
Look towards the east!
The light breaks rapidly athwart its face.
You look not, signor. Hear you the——
Enter Duke, disguised.
bertrand.
Welcome, if thou art he—the foe I meet.
duke.
The same; but not thy foe.
bertrand.
That hated voice!
Revenge it cries. Prepare! no more delay!
Draw, dastard! or thy recreant blood I'll pour
Unfought for to this earth.
[Bertrand makes the attack, the Duke keeping on the defensive.
bertrand.
Thou wardest but my blows; fight, villain!
[The Duke makes a parry, and immediately disarms Bertrand.
I seek not mercy. None would I have given
If I had seen thee thus.
duke.
Take back thy sword. How fares thy friend?
bertrand.
If he recover, hate to thee, unceasing,
And to Hermione, he vows for ever!