[A distant mountaineer's chant is heard.
Gip. Q. Hark! Do you hear?
D. Pas. Ay. The mountaineer's chant. The game's begun.
Gip. Q. List patiently, and we shall hear anon
Don Miguel's whistle. Silence, all of ye.
[A long pause. All place themselves in listening attitude. Gipsy Queen advances slowly. Pascual in the background, still listening.
Gip. Q. The hour fast draws near when my intent,
That purpose that the heav'ns have writ in blood,
Must be accomplished. Be still, my heart.
Shade of my father Djâbel, stand thou near;
Nerve thou this arm so that it shall not fail,
For work is to be done, and that right soon.
That man is doomed, and by this hand he dies;
Heav'n hear my oath! Respond, ye elements.
[Sky grows dark. Thunder and lightning. Owls and bats flit about. Commotion in the camp.
The oath is writ in Heav'n. Recording sprites
Have taken down the gipsy's oath of blood;
And now shall all men see, all nations tell,
How, from the ashes of this trampled heart
Did all triumphant rise the gipsy queen.
[A distant whistle heard.
D. Pas. The signal, mother! Didst hear the signal?
Gip. Q. Ay, son. Onward, then;
I'll lead the way myself. Be firm and true.
[The ascent begins, led by the Gipsy Queen, and the scene closes.
Scene V.—A hall in Don Diego's castle communicating with the chapel. The chapel is in the centre of the background. Through curtains is disclosed the altar lighted up, and a priest ready to officiate. In the hall, which is illuminated, a long table is spread with fruit and other delicacies. Music. Enter guests, discoursing animatedly and laughing.