For thy lofty rank and fashion: much depends Upon appearances. Cas. I'll see to it. Aless. Then see to it! Pay more attention, sir, To a becoming carriage: much thou wantest In dignity. Much, much-oh, much I want In proper dignity! Aless. (haughtily). Thou mockest me, sir! Cas. (abstractedly). Sweet, gentle Lalage! Heard I aright? I speak to him he speaks of Lalage! Sir Count! (places her hand on his shoulder) what art thou dreaming? He's not well! What ails thee, sir? Cas. (starting). Cousin ! -fair cousin!-madam! I crave thy pardon-indeed, I am not well! Your hand from off my shoulder, if you please. This air is most oppressive !-Madam-the Duke! Enter DI BROGLIO. Di Broglio. My son, I've news for thee! Hey! what's the matter? (Observing ALESSANDRA.) I' the pouts? Kiss her, Castiglione !-kiss her, You dog! and make it up, I say, this minute! I've news for both. you Politian is expected Hourly in Rome-Politian, Earl of Leicester ! We'll have him at the wedding. 'Tis his first visit To the imperial city. Aless. Of Britain, Earl of Leicester ? Di Brog. What! Politian The same, my love. We'll have him at the wedding. A man quite young And high descent. We'll have him at the wedding. Gay, volatile, and giddy, is he not? And little given to thinking. Di Brog. Far from it, love. No branch, they say, of all philosophy So deep abstruse he has not mastered it : Aless. 'Tis very strange! I have known men have seen Politian, And sought his company. They speak of him Cas. Ridiculous! Now I have seen Politian And know him well-nor learned nor mirthful he. He is a dreamer, and a man shut out From common passions. Di Brog. Children, we disagree. Let us go forth and taste the fragrant air [Exeunt. ROME. A Lady's apartment, with a window open, and looking into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning reading at a table, on which lie some books and a hand-mirror. In the back-ground, JACINTA (a servant-maid) leans carelessly upon a chair. Lal. Jacinta! is it thou? Jac. (pertly). Yes, ma'am, I'm here. Lal. I did not know, Jacinta, you were in waiting. Sit down! -let not my presence trouble you. Sit down!-for I am humble, most humble. 'Tis time. [JACINTA seats herself in a side-long manner upon the chair, resting her elbows upon the back, and regarding her mistress with a contemptuous look. LALAGE continues to read. Lal." It in another climate, so he said, Bore a bright golden flower, but not i' this soil!" Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind." To what my fevered soul doth dream of heaven! Jacinta! [JACINTA returns no answer, and LALAGE presently resumes. Again!-a similar tale Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea. Thus speaketh one Ferdinand, in the words of the "I think not so; her infelicity Seemed to have years too many.”—Ah, luckless lady! Jacinta! (Still no answer.) Here's a far sterner story, But like-oh, very like, in its despair, Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily Lal. Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind As go down in the library, and bring me The Holy Evangelists ? Jac. Lal. Pshaw ! [Exit. If there be balm For the wounded spirit in Gilead, it is there! Lal. (astonished.) What didst thou say, Jacinta? To grieve thee or to vex thee?—I am sorry ; Jac. I can't believe |