round yonder in dead silence, he is now preparing for the block.
It must be so: mercy on us, what a mantle of human faces there be spread round on every side, and not one found of voice amongst them all!
(A long pause.)
HARDIBRAND (starting and stopping suddenly, to First Crowd).
Didst thou hear aught?
No, they are still silent.
Look out, I pray thee, and tell me what thou see'st.
(First Crowd looks out.)
What dost thou gaze at with so broad an eye?
The executioner is now mounted upon the platform, and the prisoner
——O! I cannot look any more!
(A loud confused noise is heard without.)
What's that?
