If she hold parley now with any thing,
It must in truth be ghost or sprite.—Heigh ho!
I'm tir'd, and will to bed.
(Lays himself on the couch and falls asleep. The cry of hounds is then heard without at a distance, with the sound of a horn; and presently Orra enters, bursting from the door of the adjoining chamber, in great alarm.)
Or. Cathrina! sleepest thou? Awake! Awake!
(Running up to the couch and starting back on seeing Rudigere.)
Is this my nightly guard? Detested wretch!
I will steal back again.
(Walks softly on tiptoe to the door of her chamber, when the cry of hounds, &c. is again heard without, nearer than before.)
Tho' sleeping, and most hateful when awake,
Still he is natural life and may be 'waked.
(listening again.)
'Tis nearer now: that dismal thrilling blast!
I must awake him.
(Approaching the couch and shrinking back again.)
Upon his face he wears a horrid smile
That speaks bad thoughts.
(Rud. speaks in his sleep.)
He mutters too my name.—
