O--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. O 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 not 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_). O, 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 at the entrance of the Gallery_). Jesus Maria! BUTLER. Burst the doors open. [_They rush over the body into the Gallery--two doors are heard to crash one after the other.--Voices, deadened by the distance--clash of arms--then all at once a profound silence._] SCENE VIII COUNTESS TERZKY (_with a light_). Her bed-chamber is empty; she herself Is nowhere to be found! The Neubrunn too, Who watch'd by her, is missing. If she should Be flown--but whither flown? We must call up Every soul in the house. How will the Duke Bear up against these worst bad tidings? O If that my husband now were but return'd Home from the banquet!--Hark! I wonder whether The Duke is still awake! I thought I heard Voices and tread of feet here! I will go And listen at the door. Hark! what is that? 'Tis hastening up the steps! SCENE IX COUNTESS, GORDON GORDON (_rushes in out of breath_). 'Tis a mistake! 'Tis not the Swedes--Ye must proceed no further Butler!--O God! where is he? GORDON (_observing the_ COUNTESS). Countess! Say-- COUNTESS. You are come then from the castle? Where's my husband? GORDON (_in an agony of affright)_. Your husband!--Ask not!--To the Duke-- COUNTESS. Not till You have discover'd to me-- GORDON. On this moment Does the world hang. For God's sake! to the Duke. While we are speaking-- [_Calling loudly_.] Butler! Butler! God! COUNTESS. Why, he is at the castle with my husband. [BUTLER _comes from the Gallery_.] GORDON.