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For thee alone the words were meant, If those words to him were spoken, |
she sang.
"I believe thee," Manrico answered; while the Count, enraged in his turn, cried:
"You shall fight with me, Sir Knight!"
"Aye, behold me!" Manrico answered, lifting his visor and standing in the bright light of the moon. At the sight of him di Luna started back:
"Manrico! The brigand! Thou darest——"
"To fight thee? Aye, have at it!" and Manrico stood en garde. Leonora implored them not to fight, but too late. They would fight to the death.
"Follow me," di Luna called, drawing his sword, which he had half sheathed when he had seen that his antagonist was not of noble birth like himself. "Follow me," and he hurried off among the trees, followed by Manrico.
"I follow, and I shall kill thee," the handsome troubadour cried, as he too rushed off after the Count. Whereupon the Countess Leonora fell senseless.