_Amel._ What fear'st thou? Why shudder at a name?--Oh! if thou needs Wilt tremble, tremble for thyself, not me. I die to live; thy death may be for ever! Short are my pangs; thy soul's may be eternal!
_Cæsa._ Die? Die!--Each word--Each look--Dreadful suspicions. But no! it cannot, shall not be!
_Amel._ It shall not? As I've a soul, in one short hour, Cæsario, That soul must kneel before the throne of God.
_Cæsa._ Help! Oh! help! The princess dies! I'll speed myself.----
_Amel._ [_Detaining him._] No, no, thou must not leave me: My hour of death is near, and thou must see it--
_Amel._ Must observe, how calm the transit, How light the pain, how free death's cup from bitter, When virtue soothes, and hope exalts the soul, I've seen a sinner die; Last night I closed Ottilia's lids, and 'twas a night of horror! Each limb, each nerve was writhed by strange convulsions, Clenched were her teeth, her eye-balls fixed and glaring; She foamed, she raved, and her last words were curses!---- But look, Cæsario!--I can die, and smile!
_Cæsa._ [_In despair._] My life!--My soul!----
_Amel._ [_In a faint voice._] But while one moment's mine, By all thy vows of love, by those I breathed, And never broke through life, never, no, never, I charge thee, I conjure thee----
Powers of mercy, Whence this so glorious blaze?
_Amel._ Look, friends! Look, look!--My mother, my dead mother! Rich in new youth, and bright in lasting beauty! She floats in air; her limbs are clothed with light! Her angel-head is wreathed with Eden's roses! Heaven's splendours rove amid her golden locks, While her blest lips and radiant eyes pour round her Airs of delight and floods of placid glory! She moves!--She smiles!--She lifts her hand!--She beckons! World, fare thee well!--Mother, lead on!--I follow! [_Exit with_ Estella, &c.
_Cæsa._ [_Alone._] My brain! my brain!--Oh! I ne'er knew till now, How well I loved her!--[_Following her._]
_Hen._ Turn, Cæsario, turn! We're lost! Alfonso lives; e'en now his troops Assail our walls.
_Cæsa._ Confusion! is all hell Combined----
_Mel._ Betrayed, betrayed! The gates are opened; The townsmen join our foes; I saw the king First in the fight.----
_Cæsa._ The king?--My brain is burning; I'll cool it with his blood.--Forth, forth, my sword: Forth, nor be sheathed till I return thee dyed With royal gore--Away!