Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/148

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128

RAYNER:

Life and death's in thy speed:—
Let naught one moment stop thee on thy way:
All things are possible to vig'rous zeal:
Life and death's in thy speed: depart! depart!
And heaven be with thine efforts.
(Exit Messenger, after receiving the packet.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

Is he gone? is it done?

CONFESSOR.

Yes he is gone: God grant he be in time,

For unto human reck'ning 'tis impossible!
(To Countess with an upbraiding look.)
Half an hour sooner——

COUNTESS ZATERLOO.

Oh, torment me not!

Who could foresee this hindrance?—O, good father!
Look to thy penitent. Upon his count'nance
There's something new and terrible. Speak to him:
Go close to him, good father.—O my son!

COUNT ZATERLOO.

I feel within me now—this is the feeling:

I am upon the brink, the dreadful brink:
It is a fearful gulf I have to shoot.
O yet support me! in this racking pain
I still may hold a space the grasp of life,