Methinks, 'twere well to take Marie,

She will my secrets all betray,

And show you where each treasure lies.

Do what thou wilt, but in God's name

Leave me, and let me die in peace!

ORLICK.

Thy moneys, where are they? Say, quick

Thou wilt not speak? Thy moneys, where?

Or bitter shall thy tortures be!

Think well, the hidden wealth disclose!

Say, where; or rack shall make thee tell!

Once more, speak, or else... What ho, there!

The headsman crossed the cell.

This night,

Where is the Hetman? What does he?

How sting of conscience hope to still?

In the chamber of the happy maid,

Blest in her ignorance of ill,

Beside his sleeping godchild's couch,

Mazeppa sits with head bent low,

A prey to care that gives no rest.

Dark thoughts flit chasing through his mind,

Still darker than the thoughts they chase.

"This self-willed, dotard fool must die!

The hour of our success draws near,

And stern must be the Hetman's power

Wherewith he should invest himself;

Remorseless must the Hetman crush

Who would oppose. Without appeal

The bold informer and his tool

Must die!" By hap, he casts his glance

On Marie's couch. "Oh God! and what

Will be with her when first she learns

The sentence dread has been fulfilled?

As yet her soul is undisturbed,