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SCENE I] THE MOURNING BRIDE 393
Then forward shot their fires, which he pursued,
As to some object frightful, yet not feared.
Gar. Let's haste to follow him, and know the cause.
Heli. My lord, let me entreat you to forbear:
Leave me alone to find, and cure the cause.
I know his melancholy, and such starts
Are usual to his temper. It might raise him
To act some violence upon himself,
So to be caught in an unguarded hour,
And when his soul gives all her passions way
Secure and loose in friendly solitude.
I know his noble heart would burst with shame,
To be surprised by strangers in its frailty.
Gar. Go, generous Heli, and relieve your friend.
Far be it from me, officiously to pry
Or press upon the privacies of others. [Exit HELI.
Perez, the king expects from our return
To have his jealousy confirmed or cleared,
Of that appearing love which Zara bears
To Osmyn; but some other opportunity
Must make that plain.
Per. To me 'twas long since plain,
And every look from him and her confirms it.
Gar. If so, unhappiness attends their love,
And I could pity 'em. I hear some coming.
The friends perhaps are met; let us avoid 'em.
[They retire.
Enter ALMERIA and LEONORA.
Aim. It was a fancied noise, for all is hushed.
Leon. It bore the accent of a human voice.
Aim. It was thy fear, or else some transient wind
Whistling through hollows of this vaulted aisle.
We'll listen.
Leon. Hark!
Aim. No, all is hushed, and still as death.—Tis dreadfull
How reverend is the face of this tall pile,
Whose ancient pillars rear their marble heads,
TD bear aloft its arched and ponderous roof,
By its own weight made steadfast and immovable,
Looking tranquillity! It strikes an awe
And terror on my aching sight; the tombs
And monumental caves of death look cold,