haul a light military waggon. Finally comes the band, which posts
itself at the back of the square, and finishes the Dead March.
Judith, watching Richard painfully, steals down to the gallows,
and stands leaning against its right post. During the
conversation which follows, the two soldiers place the cart under
the gallows, and stand by the shafts, which point backwards. The
executioner takes a set of steps from the cart and places it
ready for the prisoner to mount. Then he climbs the tall ladder
which stands against the gallows, and cuts the string by which
the rope is hitched up; so that the noose drops dangling over the
cart, into which he steps as he descends.

RICHARD (with suppressed impatience, to Brudenell). Look here,
sir: this is no place for a man of your profession. Hadn't you
better go away?

SWINDON. I appeal to you, prisoner, if you have any sense of
decency left, to listen to the ministrations of the chaplain, and
pay due heed to the solemnity of the occasion.

THE CHAPLAIN (gently reproving Richard). Try to control yourself,
and submit to the divine will. (He lifts his book to proceed with
the service.)

RICHARD. Answer for your own will, sir, and those of your
accomplices here (indicating Burgoyne and Swindon): I see little
divinity about them or you. You talk to me of Christianity when
you are in the act of hanging your enemies. Was there ever such
blasphemous nonsense! (To Swindon, more rudely) You've got up the
solemnity of the occasion, as you call it, to impress the people