Herreras. I'll do it first. (Strides towards the Arbor, Earl
Henry rushes out of it.) 360
The Mask. Jesu Maria.
(They all three fly, Earl Henry attempts to seize Herreras, who defending himself retreats into the Covert follow'd by the Earl. The Queen comes from out the arbor, veiled—stands listening a moment, then lifts up her veil, with folded hands assumes the attitude of Prayer, and after a momentary silence breaks into audible soliloquy.)
The Queen. I pray'd to thee, All-wonderful! And thou
Didst make my very Prayer the Instrument,
By which thy Providence sav'd me. Th' armed Murderer
Who with suspended breath stood listening to me,
Groan'd as I spake thy name. In that same moment, 365
O God! thy Mercy shot the swift Remorse
That pierc'd his Heart. And like an Elephant
Gor'd as he rushes to the first assault,
He turn'd at once and trampled his Employers.
But hark! (drops her veil)—O God in Heaven! they come again. 370
(Earl Henry returns with the Dagger in his hand.)
Earl Henry (as he is entering). The violent pull with which I seiz'd his Dagger
Unpois'd me and I fell.
[End of the Fragment.]
LINENOTES:
After [88] in which all her wrongs will appear twofold—(or) in a mist of which her Wrongs will wander, magnified into giant shapes. MS. erased.