Of losing, under such a penalty
As every moment's having runs more near,
Stifles the very utterance and resource
They cry for quickest; till from sheer despair
Of holding thee, methinks myself would tear
To pieces--

FIFE.
There, his word's enough for it.

SEG.
Oh, think, if you who move about at will,
And live in sweet communion with your kind,
After an hour lost in these lonely rocks
Hunger and thirst after some human voice
To drink, and human face to feed upon;
What must one do where all is mute, or harsh,
And ev'n the naked face of cruelty
Were better than the mask it works beneath?--
Across the mountain then! Across the mountain!
What if the next world which they tell one of
Be only next across the mountain then,
Though I must never see it till I die,
And you one of its angels?

ROS.
Alas; alas!
No angel! And the face you think so fair,
'Tis but the dismal frame-work of these rocks
That makes it seem so; and the world I come from--
Alas, alas, too many faces there
Are but fair vizors to black hearts below,
Or only serve to bring the wearer woe!
But to yourself--If haply the redress
That I am here upon may help to yours.
I heard you tax the heavens with ordering,
And men for executing, what, alas!
I now behold. But why, and who they are
Who do, and you who suffer--

SEG. (pointing upwards).
Ask of them,
Whom, as to-night, I have so often ask'd,
And ask'd in vain.

ROS.
But surely, surely--

SEG.
Hark!
The trumpet of the watch to shut us in.
Oh, should they find you!--Quick! Behind the rocks!
To-morrow--if to-morrow--

ROS. (flinging her sword toward him).
Take my sword!

(Rosaura and Fife hide in the rocks; Enter Clotaldo)

CLOTALDO.
These stormy days you like to see the last of
Are but ill opiates, Segismund, I think,
For night to follow: and to-night you seem
More than your wont disorder'd. What! A sword?
Within there!

(Enter Soldiers with black vizors and torches)

FIFE.
Here's a pleasant masquerade!

CLO.
Whosever watch this was
Will have to pay head-reckoning. Meanwhile,
This weapon had a wearer. Bring him here,
Alive or dead.

SEG.
Clotaldo! good