Murder did you say? Murder is hungry, and still cries for more, And Death, his brother, is not satisfied, But walks the house, and will not go away, Unless he has a comrade! Tarry, Death, For I will give thee a most faithful lackey To travel with thee! Murder, call no more, For thou shalt eat thy fill. There is a storm Will break upon this house before the morning, So horrible, that the white moon already Turns grey and sick with terror, the low wind Goes moaning round the house, and the high stars Run madly through the vaulted firmament, As though the night wept tears of liquid fire For what the day shall look upon. Oh, weep, Thou lamentable heaven! Weep thy fill! Though sorrow like a cataract drench the fields, And make the earth one bitter lake of tears, It would not be enough. [_A peal of thunder_.] Do you not hear, There is artillery in the Heaven to-night. Vengeance is wakened up, and has unloosed His dogs upon the world, and in this matter Which lies between us two, let him who draws The thunder on his head beware the ruin Which the forked flame brings after. [_A flash of lightning followed by a peal of thunder_.] GUIDO Away! away! [_Exit the_ DUCHESS, _who as she lifts the crimson curtain looks back for a moment at_ GUIDO, _but he makes no sign_. _More thunder_.] Now is life fallen in ashes at my feet And noble love self-slain; and in its place Crept murder with its silent bloody feet. And she who wrought it—Oh! and yet she loved me, And for my sake did do this dreadful thing. I have been cruel to her: Beatrice! Beatrice, I say, come back. [_Begins to ascend staircase_, _when the noise of Soldiers is heard_.] Ah! what is that? Torches ablaze, and noise of hurrying feet. Pray God they have not seized her. [_Noise grows louder_.] Beatrice! There is yet time to escape. Come down, come out! [_The voice of the_ DUCHESS _outside_.] This way went he, the man who slew my lord. [_Down the staircase comes hurrying a confused body of Soldiers_; GUIDO _is not seen at first_, _till the_ DUCHESS _surrounded by Servants carrying torches appears at the top of the staircase_, _and points to_ GUIDO, _who is seized at once_, _one of the Soldiers dragging the knife from his hand and showing it to the Captain of the Guard in sight of the audience_. _Tableau_.] END OF ACT III. * * * * * ACT IV SCENE