Untitled - OUDL Home

432 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT v
Alon. My lord, I've thought how to conceal the body;
Require me not to tell the means till done,
Lest you forbid what then you may approve.
[Goes in. More shouting.
Gon. They shout again! Whate'er he means to do,
Twere fit the soldiers were amused with hopes;
And in the meantime fed with expectation
To see the king in person at their head.
Gar. Were it a truth, I fear 'tis now too late,
But I'll omit no care, nor haste; to try
Or to repel their force, or bravely die. [Exit.
Re-enter ALONZO.
Gon. What hast thou done, Alonzo?
Alon. Such a deed
As but an hour ago I'd not have done,
Though for the crown of universal empire.
But what are kings reduced to common clay?
Or who can wound the dead? I've from the body
Severed the head, and in an obscure corner
Disposed it, muffled in the mute's attire,
Leaving to view of them that enter next,
Alone the undistinguished trunk:
Which may be still mistaken by the guards
For Dsmyn, if in seeking for the king
They chance to find it.
Gon. 'Twas an act of horror;
And of a piece with this day's dire misdeeds.
But 'tis no time to ponder or repent.
Haste thee, Alonzo, haste thee hence with speed,
To aid my son. I'll follow with the last
Reserve to re-enforce his arms: at least,
I shall make good, and shelter his retreat. [Exeunt.
SCENE III
The Same
Enter ZARA, followed by SELIM, and two Mutes bearing
bowls.
Zara. Silence and solitude are everywhere!
Through all the gloomy ways and iron doors