Page:The robbers - a tragedy (IA robberstragedy00schiiala).pdf/199

the hour of midnight the song of death. At last I heard the creaking of the iron door.—It was opened, and this man brought me some bread and water.—He told me that I was condemned to be starved to death in that dungeon, and that he forfeited his own life, if it were known that he brought me the smallest particle of food.—It was by his means I have preserved a miserable being so long—but the chilling cold, the foul air, and the anguish of my own mind……my strength was quite exhausted, my body was emaciated to a skeleton.—A thousand times have I prayed to God to put an end to my sufferings;—but the measure of my punishment must not have been complete—or perhaps there is yet in store for me some happiness—some bliss the Almighty has decreed to come, for which he has deigned thus miraculously to preserve me.—But come what will, my sufferings are just—most merited.—Oh my Charles, my Charles!—Before thy hairs were gray!

It is enough. (To the band asleep.) Rise there, you senseless logs—you hearts of stone!—What! will none of you awake? (He fires a pistol over them. They start to their feet immediately.)