Page:Dramas 2.pdf/109

COUNTESS.

And may th' Almighty ever keep him so!

(Cannon without.)

SOPHERA.

Again the horrible roar!

COUNTESS.

Our ruined walls are weak, our warriors few:

Should they effect a breach!—O Garcio, Garcio!
Where wand'rest thou, unblest, unhappy man,
Who hadst our safeguard been!

Enter Pietro.

Ha! bring'st thou tidings?

PIETRO.

Ay, and fearful tidings.

The foe have made a breach, and thro' the moat,
Now grown so shallow with the summer drought,
Have made their way.

COUNTESS.

Where does Rovani fight?

PIETRO.

He did fight in the breach most valiantly;

But now the foemen o'er his body pass,
For he is slain, and all, I fear, is lost.

COUNTESS.

It must not be: I'll to the walls myself;

My soldiers will with desperate courage fight,
When they behold their wretched mistress near.