Bal. ’Tis hushed and
all is still!
Pol. All is not still.
Bal. Let us go down.
Pol. Go down, Baldazzar, go!
Bal. The hour is growing late—the
Duke awaits us,—
Thy
presence is expected in the hall
Below.
What ails thee, Earl Politian?
Voice
(distinctly). “Who have loved
thee so long,
In
wealth and woe among,
And
is thy heart so strong?
Say
nay! say nay!”
Bal. Let us descend!—’tis
time. Politian, give
These
fancies to the wind. Remember, pray,
Your
bearing lately savored much of rudeness
Unto
the Duke. Arouse thee! and remember!
Pol. Remember? I do.
Lead on! I do remember.
(going).
Let
us descend. Believe me I would give,
Freely
would give the broad lands of my earldom
To
look upon the face hidden by yon lattice—
“To
gaze upon that veiled face, and hear
Once
more that silent tongue.”
Bal. Let me beg you, sir,
Descend
with me—the Duke may be offended.
Let
us go down, I pray you.
Voice (loudly). Say nay!—say
nay!
Pol. (aside). ’Tis strange!—’tis
very strange—methought
the
voice
Chimed
in with my desires and bade me stay!
(Approaching
the window)
Sweet
voice! I heed thee, and will surely stay.
Now
be this fancy, by heaven, or be it Fate,
Still
will I not descend. Baldazzar, make
Apology
unto the Duke for me;
I
go not down to-night.
Bal. Your lordship’s
pleasure
Shall
be attended to. Good-night, Politian.
Pol. Good-night, my friend,
good-night.
The Gardens of a Palace—Moonlight.
LALAGE and POLITIAN.
Lalage. And dost thou speak of
love
To
me, Politian?—dost thou speak of
love
To
Lalage?—ah woe—ah woe is me!
This
mockery is most cruel—most cruel indeed!
Politian. Weep not! oh, sob not
thus!—thy bitter tears
Will
madden me. Oh, mourn not, Lalage—
Be
comforted! I know—I know it all,
And
still I speak of love. Look at me, brightest,
