Butler. Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perished.

Gordon. Doing their duty—that adorns the man! 50
But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.

Butler (brings out a paper). Here is the manifesto which commands us
To gain possession of his person. See—
It is addressed to you as well as me.
Are you content to take the consequences, [55]
If through our fault he escape to the enemy?

Gordon. I?—Gracious God!

Butler. Take it on yourself.
Let come of it what may, on you I lay it.

Gordon. O God in heaven!

Butler. Can you advise aught else
Wherewith to execute the Emperor's purpose? 60
Say if you can. For I desire his fall,
Not his destruction.

Gordon. Merciful heaven! what must be
I see as clear as you. Yet still the heart
Within my bosom beats with other feelings!

Butler. Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity 65
In her rough school hath steeled me. And this Illo
And Tertsky likewise, they must not survive him.

[[774]]Gordon. I feel no pang for these. Their own bad hearts
Impelled them, not the influence of the stars.
'Twas they who strewed the seeds of evil passions 70
In his calm breast, and with officious villainy
Watered and nursed the pois'nous plants. May they
Receive their earnests to the uttermost mite!