bertrand (tearing off his mask).
Then swifter come
Insatiate vengeance. To thy place, proud Mantua!
[Makes a desperate lunge at the Duke, who falls.
duke.
A mortal thrust! Hermione, now—now—
Farewell—'tis past!
bertrand.
Thou leavest not thy paramour.
[Stabs Hermione.
Hence! to the pale ghosts howl in company.
hermione.
I'd bless thee——for this—— [Dies.
Enter Guard, Soldiers; they seize the Conspirators.
duke.
Too late ye come—
Life ebbs fast from my veins—mine eyes are dim;
But there's a voice—or death unreins my fancy—
Comes o'er mine ear, I do remember, mingling
Ere now 'mid mortal strife.
bertrand.
'Tis I: mine hate is quench'd but with the blood
That nourish'd thee! Now to your dungeons lead me:
Your rarest tortures—haste. This blest revenge
Will slake your hottest fires, heal the hurt flesh,
Make the unpitying rack a gentle pillow.
Softer than cygnet down, or thy death-couch,
Unsceptred Duke. Guards, do your office.
duke.
Unhappy man! thy fierce, untamed spirit,
In its own fiery nature, hath to endure
What bodily tortures reach not. I forgive thee.
But this good city, thy most unjust hate
This night bereaves of her protector, seeks
Her just atonement! Bear me hence—Beatrice,
To thy loved arms. Would that I ne'er had left thee—
A fearful meeting now—Hermione!
What—dead! My cup is drain'd e'en to the dregs,
The vessel shiver'd, dash'd erewhile to earth!—
Just Heaven!
I bow to thee! Thou hast not sent my spirit
Unshriven to thy bar—brief space on earth
My span of time, but unto thee I turn,
Abused mercy; grant with my last last hour
Repentance, and thy promised pardon!
[Exeunt Attendants with the Duke.