Page:Dramas 2.pdf/330

Says, that he came by stealth into her chamber,
And with her words and looks of tenderness
Exchanged, though near her last extremity.
And there he caught the fatal malady.

CLAUDE.

A happy end for him, if it should prove so.

Enter a Servant, who draws the Provost aside.

PROVOST (aside to Servant).

Thou hast a woeful face! what has befallen?

[Servant speaks to him in a whisper.]

MARIAN (to Alice).

Thy father has received some woeful tidings.

ALICE.

I fear he has; he stands in thoughtful silence.

Father, how is't? your thoughts are very sad.

PROVOST.

Ay; were this span of earthly being all,

'T were sad to think how wealth and domination,
Man's valour, landed pride, and woman's beauty,
When over them the blighting wind hath pass'd,
Are turned to vanity, and known no more!
[The bell of a neighbouring Church tolls five times.]

MALCOLM.

What bell is that?

CLAUDE.

Some spirit is released from mortal thraldom.