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SCENE III] THE MOURNING BRIDE 433
That hither lead, nor human face nor voice
Is seen or heard. A dreadful din was wont
To grate the sense, when entered here; from groans
And howls of slaves condemned, from clink of chains,
And crash of rusty bars and creeking hinges:
And ever and anon the sight was dashed
With frightful faces, and the meagre looks
Of grim and ghastly executioners.
Yet more this stillness terrifies my soul,
Than did that scene of complicated horrors.
It may be, that the cause of this my errand
And purpose, being changed from life to death,
Has also wrought this chilling change of temper.
Or does my heart bode more? what can it more
Than death?
[To SELIM.] Let 'cm set down the bowls, and warn Alphonso
That I am here — so. [The Mutes go in.] You return and
find
The king; tell him, what he required I've done,
And wait his coming to approve the deed. [Exit SELIM.
The Mutes return, and look affrighted.
Zara. What have you seen? Ha! wherefore stare you thus
With haggard eyes? why are your arms a-cross?
Your heavy and desponding heads hung down?
Why is't you more than speak in these sad signs?
Give me more ample knowledge of this mourning.
[They go to the Scene, which opening,
she perceives the body.
Ha! prostrate! bloody! headless! O — I'm lost!
O Osmyn! O Alphonso! Cruel fate!
Cruel, cruel, O more than killing object!
I came prepared to die, and see thee die —
Nay, came prepared myself to give thee death —
But cannot bear to find thee thus, my Osmyn —
O this accursed, this base, this treacherous king!
Re-enter SELIM.
Sel. I've sought in vain, for nowhere can the king
Be found,
Zara. Get thee to hell, and seek him there!
[Stabs him.