Thrills with intenser love than I for thee. Alas, proud Earl, [Arising] 20 LALAGE. 25 Could the dishonored Lalage abide? Thy wife, and with a tainted memory My seared and blighted name, how would it tally What need we more? Ha! glory! - now speak not of it: By all I hold most sacred and most solemn By all What matters it, my fairest, and my best, That we go down unhonored and forgotten Descend together - and then and then perchance 30 Speak not-speak not of glory! (S. L. M.). 35 40 45 POLITIAN. Arise together, Lalage, and roam The starry and quiet dwellings of the blest, LALAGE. Why dost thou pause, Politian? And then perchance Now, Earl of Leicester ! 50 Thou lovest me, and in my heart of hearts I feel thou lovest me truly. POLITIAN. Oh, Lalage! [Throwing himself upon his knee] And lovest thou me? LALAGE. Hist! hush! within the gloom Of yonder trees methought a figure past A spectral figure, solemn, and slow, and noiseless Like the grim shadow Conscience, solemn and noiseless. 55 [Walks across and returns] I was mistaken -'t was but a giant bough Stirred by the autumn wind. Politian! POLITIAN. My Lalage - my love! why art thou moved? Why dost thou turn so pale? Not Conscience' self, 60 Far less a shadow which thou likenest to it, 65 Should shake the firm spirit thus. But the night wind Throw over all things a gloom. Thou speakest to me of love. Knowest thou the land A thousand leagues within the golden west? A fairy land of flowers, and fruit, and sunshine, And crystal lakes, and over-arching forests, And mountains, around whose towering summits the winds Of Heaven untrammelled flow - which air to breathe Is Happiness now, and will be Freedom hereafter In days that are to come? POLITIAN. Fly thither with me? And Sorrow shall be my Lalage, wilt thou no more, and Eros be all. And life shall then be mine, for I will live For thee, and in thine eyes - and thou shalt be No more a mourner – but the radiant Joys My all; A deed is to be done LALAGE. Castiglione lives! POLITIAN. And he shall die! 75 80 85 [Exit] LALAGE. [After a pause] And—he — shall — die ! — alas! Castiglione die? Who spoke the words? Where am I? what was it he said? Politian! Thou art not gone thou art not gone, Politian. I feel thou art not gone yet dare not look, 90 Lest I behold thee not; thou couldst not go With those words upon thy lips — O, speak to me! one word one word, And let me hear thy voice - I knew thou wouldst not, couldst not, durst not go. 95 100 [Exit] 105 V. The suburbs. POLITIAN alone POLITIAN. This weakness grows upon me. I am faint, And much I fear me ill-it will not do To die ere I have lived! Stay stay thy hand, O Azrael, yet awhile! Prince of the Powers Of Darkness and the Tomb, O pity me! O pity me! let me not perish now, Give me to live yet — yet a little while : 'Tis I who pray for life — I who so late Demanded but to die! - what sayeth the Count? Enter BALDAZZAR BALDAZZAR. That knowing no cause of quarrel or of feud Between the Earl Politian and himself, He doth decline your cartel. POLITIAN. 5 ΙΟ What didst thou say? 15 What answer was it you brought me, good Baldazzar? Laden from yonder bowers! - a fairer day, Or one more worthy Italy, methinks No mortal eyes have seen! what said the Count? BALDAZZAR. That he, Castiglione, not being aware Of any feud existing, or any cause Of quarrel between your lordship and himself All this is very true. When saw you, sir, 20 25 7 In the budding of my hopes—give me to live (S. L.M.). From the evil taint of clouds ? — and he did say? BALDAZZAR. No more, my lord, than I have told The Count Castiglione will not fight, Having no cause for quarrel. POLITIAN. Now this is true All very true. Thou art my friend, Baldazzar, He should have cause for quarrel. BALDAZZAR. My lord! my friend! POLITIAN. [Aside] 'Tis he - he comes himself! [Aloud] Thou reasonest well. I know what thou wouldst say - not send the message Well! I will think of it- I will not send it. Now prythee, leave me - hither doth come a person I would adjust. 40 CASTIGLIONE. The Earl of Leicester here! POLITIAN. I am the Earl of Leicester, and thou seest, Dost thou not? that I am here. 44 After this line, S. L.M. inserts: If that we meet at all, it were as well 45 |