My camp-mate and my friend, I must resign thee.
Bear to him every kind and cordial wish
An ancient friend can send, and——
(A horn heard without.) Hark! that horn!
Some messenger of moment is arrived.
We'll speak of this again.—The moon to-night
Is near the full, and at an early hour
Enter a Messenger, bearing a letter.
That letter bear'st with broad and sable seal,
Which seems to bring to me some dismal tidings?
MESSENGER.
Our chief, commissioned me to give you this,
Which is indeed with dismal tidings fraught.
(Argyll opens the letter, and reads it with affected surprise and sorrow.)
ARGYLL.
The sad calamity that hath befallen.
The will of heaven be done!
(Putting a handkerchief to his eyes, and leaning, as if for support, upon Sir Hubert; then, after a pause, turning to the messenger.)
