SCENES FROM " "POLITIAN" ; AN UNPUBLISHED DRAMA. I. ROME. A Hall in a Palace. Alessandra and Castiglione. Alessandra. Thou art sad, Castiglione. Oh, I'm the happiest, happiest man in Rome! Aless. Methinks thou hast a singular way of showing Cas. Did I sigh? I was not conscious of it. It is a fashion, A silly-a most silly fashion I have When I am very happy. Did I sigh? Aless. Thou didst. indulged (sighing.) Too much of late, and I am vexed to see it. Thy looks are haggard-nothing so wears away Cas. (musing.) Nothing, fair cousin, nothing-not even deep sorrow— Wears it away like evil hours and wine. I will amend. Aless. Do it! I would have thee drop Thy riotous company, too-fellows low born- Cas. I will drop them. Aless. Thou wilt-thou must. Attend thou also more To thy dress and equipage-they are over plain 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, Cas. Much, much, oh much I want In proper dignity. Aless. (haughtily.) Thou mockest me, sir! 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! Di Broglio. My son, I've news for thee!-hey ?what's the matter? (observing Alessandra.) I' the pouts? Kiss her, Castiglione! kiss her, Aless. What! Politian Of Britain, Earl of Leicester ? Di Brog. The same, my love. We'll have him at the wedding. A man quite young years, but grey in fame. I have not seen him, But Rumour speaks of him as of a prodigy In Pre-eminent in arts, and arms, and wealth, And high descent. We'll have him at the wedding. Aless. I have heard much of this Politian. Gay, volatile, and giddy-is he not ? Di Brog. Far from it, love. No branch, they say, of all philosophy Aless. 'Tis very strange! I have known men have seen Politian Cas. Ridiculous! Now I have seen Politian From common passions. Di Brog. Children, we disagree. Let us go forth and taste the fragrant air 1 (exeunt.) II. 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. Jac. (aside.) '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!" (pauses-turns over some leaves, and resumes.) "No lingering winters there, nor snow, nor shower— "But Ocean ever to refresh mankind "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 play-"She died full young"-one Bossola answers him— "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 A thousand hearts-losing at length her own. Jac. (pettishly.) Madam, what is it ? Lal. Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind Jac. Pshaw! (exit.) Lal. If there be balm For the wounded spirit in Gilead it is there! (Re-enter Jacinta, and throws a volume on the table.) There, ma'am, 's the book. Indeed she is very trouble some. (aside.) Lal. (astonished.) What didst thou say, Jacinta ? Have I done aught To grieve thee or to vex thee ?—I am sorry. For thou hast served me long, and ever been (resumes her reading.) She has any more jewels-no-no-she gave me all. (aside.) Lal. What didst thou say, Jacinta? Now I bethink me Thou hast not spoken lately of thy wedding. How fares good Ugo ?-and when is it to be? Jac. Is there no farther aid! That's meant for me (aside.) I'm sure, Madam, you need not Be always throwing those jewels in my teeth. I thought not of the jewels. Jac. Oh! perhaps not! But then I might have sworn it. After all, (exit.) (Lalage bursts into tears and leans her head upon the table-after a short pause raises it.) Lal. Poor Lalage!-and is it come to this? Thy servant maid!—but courage!-'tis but a viper Whom thou hast cherished to sting thee to the soul! (taking up the mirror.) Ha! here at least's a friend-too much a friend |