Cha. Polyxena When suddenly,—a warm March day, just that! And Philip's mouth yet fast to mine, His dead cheek on my cheek, his arm still round My neck, they bade me rise, "for I was heir To the Duke," they said, "the right hand of the Duke;" Till then he was my father, not the Duke! So.. let me finish. . the whole intricate World's business their dead boy was born to, I By him their Turin through? But he was punished, To learn my future portion and submit And then the wear and worry, blame on blame! -For, spring-sounds in my ears, spring-smells about, How could I but grow dizzy in their pent Dim palace-rooms at first? My mother's look (She and my father, and I sitting by,)— I bore :-I knew how brave a son they missed: "And, on the point now of that end's success, "Where's time to be reminded 'tis his child "He spurns?" And so I suffered. . yet scarce suffered, Since I had you at length ! Pol. To serve in place Of monarch, minister and mistress, Charles. Cha. But, once that crown obtained, then was't not like Our lot would alter ?" When he rests, takes breath, “Glances around, and sees who's left to love— "Now that my mother's dead, sees I am left"Is it not like he'll love me at the last?" Well: Savoy turns Sardinia-the Duke's King! Could I-precisely then-could you expect His harshness to redouble? These few months Have been... have been . . Polyxena, do you And God conduct me, or I lose myself! What would he have? What is't they want with me? Him with this mistress and this minister, -You see me and you hear me ; judge us both! Pol. Endure, endure, beloved! Say you not I bear this--not that there's so much to bear Cha. You bear it? don't I know that you, tho' bound To silence for my sake, are perishing Piecemeal beside me? and how otherwise? -When every creephole from the hideous Court Pol. Come Is it agreed that we forego complaints The sable cloak and silver cross; such pomp Bodes.. what now, Charles? Can you conceive? Cha. Pol. A matter of some moment Not I, Cha. There's our life! Which of the group of loiterers that stared D'Ormea's contrivance ! Cha. Tush! Ay-how otherwise Should the young Prince serve for the old King's foil? -So that the simplest courtier may remark, 'Twere idle raising parties for a Prince Content to linger D'Ormea's laughing-stock! [Pointing to papers he has laid down, and which POLYXENA -Not that I comprehend three words, of course, Pol. The faint heart! Why, as we rode and you rehearsed just now Its substance.. (that's the folded speech I mean, -What would you have?—I fancied while you spoke, Cha. Flattery! Pol. I fancied so :—and here lurks, sure enough, My note upon the Spanish Claims! You've mastered The fief-speech thoroughly-this other, mind, Is an opinion you deliver,-stay, Best read it slowly over once to me; Read-there's bare time; you read it firmly-loud Your eye once-ay, thus! "If Spain claims . . .” begin -Just as you look at me! Cha. At you! Oh, truly, Him, whose least whisper ties my spirit fast, [As he kisses her, enter from the KING's apartment D'ORMEA.] My kisses from your brow! D'O. [Aside.] Here! So King Victor Spoke truth for once; and who's ordained, but I, As he declared! Were't better gnash the teeth, Cha. [to Pol.] What's his visit for ? D'O. [Aside.] I question if they'll even speak to me. Pol. [to Cha.] Face D'Ormea, he'll suppose you fear him, else. [Aloud.] The Marquis bears the King's command, no doubt. |