—that is, above my power Out of my own— Seemed other, greater potencies to stretch- The D. It was not I moved there, I think But one I could-though constantly beside, And aye approaching—still keep distant from, And so adore. 'Twas a man moved there. Val. Who? The D. I felt the spirit, never saw the face. Val. See it! 'Tis Berthold's. He enables you To realize your vision. The D. Val. Berthold? Duke Emperor to be he proffers you his hand. The D. Generous and princely! Val. He is all of this The D. Thanks, Berthold, for my father's sake-no hand Degrades me! Val. You accept the proffered hand? "Loved" I did not say. The D. That he should love me! Had that been-love might so incline the Prince All the shame saved, he thinks, and sorrow saved Immitigable sorrow, so he thinks Sorrow that's deeper than we dream, perchance. The D. Is not this love? Val. So very much he does! For look, you can descend now gracefully; All doubts are banished, that the world might have, The D. Still "much!" But why is it not love, sir? Answer me ! Val. Because not one of Berthold's words and looks Had gone with love's presentment of a flower To the beloved: because bold confidence, Open superiority, free pride Love owns not, yet were all that Berthold owned: Unerringly a lover's instinct may. The D. You reason, then, and doubt? Val. I love, and know. The D. You love?-How strange! I never cast a thought On that. Just see our selfishness! you seemed So much my own . . . I had no ground-and yet, I never dreamed another might divide My power with you, much less exceed it. Val. I am yours wholly. The D. Lady, Oh, no, no, not mine! 'Tis not the same now, never more can be! -Your first love, doubtless! Well, what's gone from me? What have I lost in you? Val. My heart replies No loss there! . . . So to Berthold back again! Its obvious magnitude is well to weigh. The D. She's . you! yes, she must be very fair for Val. I am a simple Advocate of Cleves. The D. You! with the heart and brain that so helped me, I fancied them exclusively my own, Yet find are subject to a stronger sway! She must be . . . tell me, is she very fair? Val. Most fair, beyond conception or belief! The D. Black eyes?-no matter! Colombe, the world leads Its life without you, whom your friends professed One lived this while, who never saw your face, Nor heard your voice-unless . . . Is she from Cleves? Val. Cleves knows her well. The D. Ah-just a fancy, now! When you poured forth the wrongs of Cleves,—I said, -Thought, that is, afterward. Val. You thought of me? The D. Of whom else? Only such great cause, I thought, For such effect-see what true love can do! Cleves is his love!-I almost fear to ask ... Nor will not! This is idling to our work! Admit before the Prince, without reserve, My claims misgrounded; then may follow better When you poured out Cleves' wrongs impetuously Was she in your mind? ... No, sir! You counselled me,-I counsel you In the one point I-any woman—can ! Your worth, the first thing; let her own come next— Say what you did through her, and she through youThe praises of her beauty afterward! Will you? Val. The lady is above me and away! Not only the brave form and the bright mind, And the great heart, combine to press me low- Rank ? The D. Sees the true value and the false, for them, And here you stickle for a piece or two! Val. The D. Yes. She loves you, then. Val. One flash of hope burst; then succeeded night: And all's at darkest now. Impossible! FROM LURIA. BRACCIO, COMMISSARY OF THE REPUBLIC, SPEAKS OF FLORENCE AND HER GENERALS. Lapo, there's one thing plain and positive; Man seeks his own good at the whole world's cost. Shall henceforth lead my troops, reach, height by height, |