'Twas a mistake--'Tis not the Swedes--it is The Imperialists' Lieutenant-General Has sent me hither--will be here himself Instantly.--You must not proceed. BUTLER. He comes Too late. [GORDON _dashes himself against the wall_.] GORDON. O God of mercy! COUNTESS. What too late? Who will be here himself? Octavio In Egra? Treason! Treason!--Where's the Duke? [_She rushes to the Gallery._] SCENE X _Servants run across the Stage, full of terror. The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses_. SENI (_from the Gallery_). A bloody, frightful deed! COUNTESS. What is it, Seni? PAGE (_from the Gallery_). O piteous sight! [_Other servants hasten in with torches_.] COUNTESS. What is it? For God's sake! SENI. And do you ask? Within, the Duke lies murder'd--and your husband Assassinated at the Castle. [_The_ COUNTESS _stands motionless_.] FEMALE SERVANT (_rushing across the stage_). Help! help! the Duchess! BURGOMASTER (_enters_). What mean these confused Loud cries that wake the sleepers of this house? GORDON. Your house is cursed to all eternity. In your house doth the Duke lie murder'd! BURGOMASTER (_rushing out_). Heaven forbid! 1ST SERV. Fly! fly! they murder us all! SECOND SERVANT (_carrying silver plate_). That way! the lower Passages are block'd up. VOICE (_from behind the Scene_). Make room for the Lieutenant-General! [_At these words the_ COUNTESS _starts from her stupor, collects herself, and retires suddenly_.] VOICE (_from behind the Scene_). Keep back the people! Guard the door! SCENE XI _To these enter_ OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI _with all his train. At the same time_ DEVEREUX _and_ MACDONALD _enter from out the Corridor with the Halberdiers_.--WALLENSTEIN'S _dead body is carried over the back part of the stage, wrapped in a piece of crimson tapestry_. OCTAVIO (_entering abruptly_). It must not be! It is not possible! Butler! Gordon! I'll not believe it. Say no! [GORDON, _without answering, points with his hand to the body of_ WALLENSTEIN _as it is carried over the back of the stage._ OCTAVIO _looks that way, and stands overpowered with horror._] DEVEREUX (_to_ BUTLER). Here is the golden fleece--the Duke's Sword-- MACRON. Is it your order-- BUTLER (_pointing to_ OCTAVIO). Here stands he who now Hath the sole power to issue orders. [DEVEREUx _and_ MACDONALD _retire with marks of obeisance. One drops away after the other, till only_ BUTLER, OCTAVIO, _and_ GORDON _remain on the stage.]_ OCTAVIO (_turning to_ BUTLER). Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted? O God of Justice! To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty Of this foul deed. BUTLER. Your _hand_ is pure. You have Avail'd yourself of mine. OCTAVIO.