rantic, till
At last we threw him on the ground.

GORDON (shuddering).
Both dead?

BUTLER.
Is he in bed?

GORDON.
Ah, Butler!

BUTLER.
Is he? speak.

GORDON.
He shall not perish! Not through you! The heaven
Refuses your arm. See--'tis wounded!

BUTLER.
There is no need of my arm.

GORDON.
The most guilty
Have perished, and enough is given to justice.

[The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER advances from the gallery with his finger
on his mouth commanding silence.

GORDON.
He sleeps! Oh, murder not the holy sleep!

BUTLER.
No! he shall die awake.
[Is going.

GORDON.
His heart still cleaves
To earthly things: he's not prepared to step
Into the presence of his God!

BUTLER (going).
God's merciful!

GORDON (holds him).
Grant him but this night's respite.

BUTLER (hurrying of).
The next moment
May ruin all.

GORDON (holds him still).
One hour!

BUTLER.
Unhold me! What
Can that short respite profit him?

GORDON.
Oh, time
Works miracles. In one hour many thousands
Of grains of sand run out; and quick as they
Thought follows thought within the human soul.
Only one hour! Your heart may change its purpose,
His heart may change its purpose--some new tidings
May come; some fortunate event, decisive,
May fall from heaven and rescue him. Oh, what
May not one hour achieve!

BUTLER.
You but remind me
How precious every minute is!

[He stamps on the floor.

SCENE VII.

To these enter MACDONALD and DEVEREUX, with the HALBERDIERS.

GORDON (throwing himself between him and them).
No, monster!
First over my dead body thou shalt tread. I will
Hot live to see the accursed deed!

BUTLER (forcing him out of the way).
Weak-hearted dotard!

[Trumpets are heard in the distance.

DEVEREUX and MACDONALD.
Hark! The Swedish trumpets!
The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten!

GORDON (rushes out).
Oh, God of mercy!

BUTLER (calling after him).
Governor, to your post!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (hurries in).
Who dares make larum here? Hush! The duke sleeps.

DEVEREUX (with loud, harsh voice).
Friend, it is time now to make larum.

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER.
Help!
Murder!

BUTLER.
Down with him!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (run through the body by DEVEREUX, falls