The Complete Plays of Oscar Wilde. Оскар Уайльд

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       Run madly through the vaulted firmament,

       As though the night wept tears of liquid fire

       For what the day shall look upon. Oh, weep,

       Thou lamentable heaven! Weep thy fill!

       Though sorrow like a cataract drench the fields,

       And make the earth one bitter lake of tears,

       It would not be enough. [A peal of thunder.]

       Do you not hear,

       There is artillery in the Heaven tonight.

       Vengeance is wakened up, and has unloosed

       His dogs upon the world, and in this matter

       Which lies between us two, let him who draws

       The thunder on his head beware the ruin

       Which the forked flame brings after.

       [A flash of lightning followed by a peal of thunder.]

      GUIDO

      Away! away!

       [Exit the DUCHESS, who as she lifts the crimson curtain looks back for a moment at GUIDO, but he makes no sign. More thunder.]

       Now is life fallen in ashes at my feet

       And noble love self-slain; and in its place

       Crept murder with its silent bloody feet.

       And she who wrought it - Oh! and yet she loved me,

       And for my sake did do this dreadful thing.

       I have been cruel to her: Beatrice!

       Beatrice, I say, come back.

       [Begins to ascend staircase, when the noise of Soldiers is heard.]

       Ah! what is that?

       Torches ablaze, and noise of hurrying feet.

       Pray God they have not seized her.

       [Noise grows louder.]

       Beatrice!

       There is yet time to escape. Come down, come out!

       [The voice of the DUCHESS outside.]

       This way went he, the man who slew my lord.

       [Down the staircase comes hurrying a confused body of Soldiers; GUIDO is not seen at first, till the DUCHESS surrounded by Servants carrying torches appears at the top of the staircase, and points to GUIDO, who is seized at once, one of the Soldiers dragging the knife from his hand and showing it to the Captain of the Guard in sight of the audience. Tableau.]

      END OF ACT III.