_Otti._ Help! help! The spectre grasps me, And folds me to his breast, where the worm feeds! He tears my heart-strings!--Now he sinks, he sinks! And sinking grasps me still, and drags me down with him, A thousand fathom deep!--Oh! lost, lost, lost! [_Dies._ _Amel._ She's gone.--Sure earth affords no sight more awful, Than when a sinner dies--She named the king.-- Perhaps this writing--By yon favouring lamp I'll find its meaning, [_Ascending the chapel steps._ _Enter_ Orsino. _Orsi._ Aided by night The villain has escaped me. [_Seeing_ Amelrosa, _who, while reading by the lamp suspended in the chapel-porch, expresses the most violent agitation_.] Princess,--Ha! Why thus alarmed?--[Amelrosa _gives him the paper in silence, with a look of agony_.] This paper?--Heaven, what's this? [_Reading._ ----"My king, Caesario plots your destruction: --A mine is formed in the Claudian vaults, beneath the royal Tower, and which the conspirators mean to spring this night. This warning will enable you to defeat their purpose: Accept it as an atonement for the crimes of the dying Guzman. The mine is appointed to be sprung when the clock strikes one."-- [_The letter falls from his hand._ _Amel._ [_Rushing from the chapel in despair_] One, one!--'Tis that already.--Oh! he's lost! My father's lost!--Ere we can reach his chamber 'Twill sink in flames! _Orsi._ That must be tried--Say, princess, How may I gain admittance to the king, Nor meet delay? _Amel._ This signet----[_Giving a ring._] _Orsi._ 'Tis enough. Know you the Claudian vaults? _Amel._ I do. _Orsi._ Away then; Reach them with speed: cling round Caesario, kneel, Weep, threaten, sooth, implore! to rouse his feelings Use every art; at least delay his purpose, Till thou shalt hear this bugle sound; that signal Shall speak Alfonso safe.--Farewell. _Amel._ Oh! heaven! Oh! dreadful hour! _Orsi._ Take heart: if time allows me, I'll save thy father: if too late---- _Amel._ Then, then, What wilt thou do? _Orsi._ What? Plunge into the flames, And perish with my king!--Away! away! [_Exeunt severally._ SCENE III.--A cavern. _Enter_ Melchior _with a lamp, as from an inner cavern_. _Mel._ Hush!--No, he comes not; sure 'tis near the time. A light:--Who's there?--Henriquez. _Enter_ Henriquez, _lighted by_ Lucio. _Hen._ Ay, the same. _Mel._ Now, Lucio, where's thy lord? _Lucio._ He charged me tell you, He would not fail at one. _Mel._ The rest wait yonder. Gomez, Sebastian, Marcos, none are wanting: Our chief alone is absent. _Hen._ He'll not tarry. Lead to the inner vault, I'll wait him there. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ Amelrosa. _Amel._ Those gleams of light: I must be near the place. --Voices!--I'll on--Oh! heaven! I can no further. --I faint!--I die! [_Catching at a fragment of the cave, against which she leans as stupified.--A pause.--The bell strikes one._] Hark! the bell gives the signal. Oh! for a moment's strength.--Hold, murderers hold! [_Rushes off._