Devereux. Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty
As well as any other. What think you,
Brother Macdonald?
Macdonald. Why if he must fall,
And will fall, and it can't be otherwise, [70]
One would not give place to this Pestalutz.
Devereux. When do you purpose he should fall?
Butler. This night.
To-morrow will the Swedes be at our gates.
Devereux. You take upon you all the consequences!
Butler. I take the whole upon me.
Devereux. And it is 75
The Emperor's will, his express absolute will?
For we have instances, that folks may like
The murder, and yet hang the murderer.
Butler. The manifesto says—alive or dead.
Alive—'tis not possible—you see it is not. 80
Devereux. Well, dead then! dead! But how can we come at him?
The town is fill'd with Tertsky's soldiery.