ms me! Countess! see
What it portends, and hasten back with speed.

[Exit COUNTESS FUENTES--the PRINCESS EBOLI rushes in.

SCENE XIX.

The QUEEN, PRINCESS EBOLI.

EBOLI (breathless, pale, and wild, falls before the QUEEN).
Help! Help! O Queen! he's seized!

QUEEN.
Who?

EBOLI.
He's arrested
By the king's orders given to Marquis Posa.

QUEEN.
Who is arrested? Who?

EBOLI.
The prince!

QUEEN.
Thou ravest

EBOLI.
This moment they are leading him away.

QUEEN.
And who arrested him?

EBOLI.
The Marquis Posa.

QUEEN.
Then heaven be praised! it was the marquis seized him!

EBOLI.
Can you speak thus, and with such tranquil mien?
Oh, heavens! you do not know--you cannot think----

QUEEN.
The cause of his arrest! some trifling error,
Doubtless arising from his headlong youth!

EBOLI.
No! no! I know far better. No, my queen!
Remorseless treachery! There's no help for him.
He dies!

QUEEN.
He dies!

EBOLI.
And I'm his murderer!

QUEEN.
What! Dies? Thou ravest! Think what thou art saying?

EBOLI.
And wherefore--wherefore dies he? Had I known
That it would come to this!

QUEEN (takes her affectionately by the hand).
Oh, dearest princess,
Your senses are distracted, but collect
Your wandering spirits, and relate to me
More calmly, not in images of horror
That fright my inmost soul, whate'er you know!
Say, what has happened?

EBOLI.
Oh, display not, queen,
Such heavenly condescension! Like hot flames
This kindness sears my conscience. I'm not worthy
To view thy purity with eyes profane.
Oh, crush the wretch, who, agonized by shame,
Remorse, and self-reproach writhes at thy feet!

QUEEN.
Unhappy woman! Say, what is thy guilt?

EBOLI.
Angel of light! Sweet saint! thou little knowest
The demon who has won thy loving smiles.
Know her to-day; I was the wretched thief
Who plundered thee.

QUEEN.
What! Thou?

EBOLI.
And gave thy letters
Up to the king?

QUEEN.
What! Thou?

EBOLI.
And dared accuse thee!

QUEEN.
Thou! Couldst thou this?

EBOLI.
Revenge and madness--love--
I hated thee, and loved the prince!

QUEEN.
And did
His love so prompt thee?

QUEEN.
And who arrested him?

EBOLI.
I had owned my love,
But met with no return.

Q