CASTIGLIONE.

Ha-draw?-and villain? have at thee then at once,

CASTIGLIONE (letting fall his sword and recoiling to the

extremity of the stage).

Of Lalage!

Hold off-thy sacred hand!-avaunt, I say!

Avaunt-I will not fight thee—indeed I dare not.

POLITIAN.

Thou wilt not fight with me, didst say, Sir Count?
Shall I be baffled thus ?-now this is well;

Didst

say thou darest not? Ha!

CASTIGLIONE.

I dare not-dare not

Hold off thy hand--with that beloved name

So fresh upon thy lips I will not fight thee

I cannot-dare not.

POLITIAN.

Now by my

halidom

I do believe thee !-coward, I do believe thee

CASTIGLIONE.

Ha!-coward!—this may not be !

(Clutches his sword and staggers towards

POLITIAN, but his purpose is changed

before reaching him, and he falls upon his knee at the feet of the Earl.)

Alas! my lord,

It is it is most true.

In such a cause

I am the veriest coward.

O pity me!

POLITIAN (greatly softened).

Alas I do indeed I pity thee.

CASTIGLIONE.

And Lalage

POLITIAN.

Scoundrel!-arise and die!

CASTIGLIONE.

It needeth not be-thus-thus-O let me die

Thus on my bended knee. It were most fitting
That in this deep humiliation I perish.

For in the fight I will not raise a hand

Against thee, Earl of Leicester. Strike thou home

(Baring his bosom.)

Here is no let or hindrance to thy weapon

Strike home. I will not fight thee.

POLITIAN.

Now s'Death and Hell!

Am I not―am I not sorely-grievously tempted
To take thee at thy word? But mark me, sir,
Think not to fly me thus. Do thou prepare
For public insult in the streets-before

The

eyes

of the citizens. I'll follow thee

Like an avenging spirit I'll follow thee

Even unto death. Before those whom thou lovest

Before all Rome I'll taunt thee, villain,-I'll taunt

thee,

Dost hear? with cowardice-thou wilt not fight me?

Thou liest thou shalt !

CASTIGLIONE.

(Exit.

Now this indeed is just !

Most righteous and most just, avenging Heaven!

POEMS WRITTEN IN YOUTH.