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CONSTANTINE PALEOLOGUS;



ACT V.

SCENE I. An open space near the walls of the city, with half ruin'd houses on each side, and a row of arched pillars thrown across the middle of the stage, as if it were the remains of some ruined public building; thro' which is seen, in the back-ground, a breach in the walls, and the confused fighting of the besieged, envelopped in clouds of smoke and dust. The noise of artillery, the battering of engines, and the cries of the combatants heard as the curtain draws up, and many people discovered on the front of the stage, running about in great hurry and confusion, and some mounted upon the roofs of the houses overlooking the battle.


VOICE (calling from the wall).

See! see! how, cluster'd on each other's backs,

They mount like swarming bees, or locusts link'd
In bolt'ring heaps! Pour fire upon their heads!

SECOND VOICE.

Cast down huge beams upon them!


THIRD VOICE.

Hurl down the loosen'd fragments of our wall!