Chapter 252

Butler's Chamber.

BUTLER, and MAJOR GERALDIN.

BUTLER. Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes For there must be no firing-- Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room, And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in And cry--"Who is loyal to the emperor?" I will overturn the table--while you attack Illo and Terzky, and despatch them both. The castle-palace is well barred and guarded, That no intelligence of this proceeding May make its way to the duke. Go instantly; Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux And the Macdonald?

GERALDIN. They'll be here anon.

[Exit GERALDIN.

BUTLER. Here's no room for delay. The citizens Declare for him--a dizzy drunken spirit Possesses the whole town. They see in the duke A prince of peace, a founder of new ages And golden times. Arms, too, have been given out By the town-council, and a hundred citizens Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard. Despatch! then, be the word; for enemies Threaten us from without and from within.