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,
In the budding of my Paradisal Hope!
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.

Pol. What didst thou say ?

What answer was it you brought me, good Baldazzar?

With what excessive fragrance the zephyr comes
Laden from yonder bowers!-a fairer day,
Or one more worthy Italy, methinks

No mortal eyes have seen!—what said the Count?
Bal. That he, Castiglione, not being aware

Of

any feud existing, or any cause

Of quarrel between your lordship and himself
Cannot accept the challenge.

Pol. It is most true

All this is very true.

When saw you, sir,

When saw you now, Baldazzar, in the frigid
Ungenial Britain which we left so lately,
A heaven so calm as this—so utterly free
From the evil taint of clouds?—and he did say?
Bal. No more, my lord, than I have told
The Count Castiglione will not fight,

Having no cause for quarrel.

Pol. Now this is true

All very true.

you,

Thou art my friend, Baldazzar,

And I have not forgotten it-thou❜lt do me

A piece of service; wilt thou go back and say
Unto this man, that I, the Earl of Leicester,
Hold him a villain ?-thus much, I prythee, say

Unto the Count-it is exceeding just

He should have cause for quarrel.

Bal. My lord!—my friend!

sir:

Pol. (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.

Cas. The Earl of Leicester here!

Pol. I am the Earl of Leicester, and thou seest,

Dost thou not? that I am here.

Cas. My lord, some strange,

Some singular mistake-misunderstanding

Hath without doubt arisen: thou hast been urged

(exit Bal.)

Thereby, in heat of anger, to address
Some words most unaccountable, in writing,
To me, Castiglione; the bearer being
Baldazzar, Duke of Surrey. I am aware

Of nothing which might warrant thee in this thing,
Having given thee no offence. Ha!-am I right?
'Twas a mistake ?-undoubtedly-we all

Do err at times.

Pol. Draw, villain, and prate no more!

Cas. Ha!-draw ?-and villain? have at thee then at once, Proud Earl!

(draws.)

Pol. (drawing.) Thus to the expiatory tomb, Untimely sepulchre, I do devote thee

In the name of Lalage!

Cas. (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.

Pol. 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!

Cas. 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.

Pol. Now by my halidom

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

Cas. 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!

Pol. (greatly softened.) Alas!—I do—indeed I pity thee Cas. And Lalage

Pol. Scoundrel!—arise and die!

Cas. 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.

Pol. 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 theeLike 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!

Cas. Now this indeed is just!

(exit.)

Most righteous, and most just, avenging Heaven!

POEMS WRITTEN IN YOUTH.