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 ex- Hold off thy sacred hand!—Avaunt, I say! count? Shall I be baffled thus ?-now this is well. Didst say thou darest not? ha! Cas. Hold off thy hand. I dare not-dare not: With that beloved name So fresh upon thy lips, I will not fight thee: I cannot Pol. dare not. Now, by my halidom, I do believe thee;-coward, I do believe thee. [Clutches his sword and staggers toward Politian; It is it is most true. I am the veriest coward. In such a cause 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 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, 'sdeath and hell! Am I not-am I not sorely, grievously tempted The eyes of the citizens. 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! Most righteous and most just, avenging Heaven! [Exit. OH, nothing earthly save the ray * A star was discovered by Tycho Brahe, which appeared suddenly in the heavens; attained in a few days a brilliancy surpassing that of Jupiter; then as suddenly disappeared, and has never been seen since. Oh, nothing earthly save the thrill Oh, nothing of the dross of ours— That list our love, and deck our bowers- The wandering star. 'Twas a sweet time for Nesace; for there Away, away, 'mid seas of rays that roll Now, happiest, loveliest in yon lovely earth, Whence sprang the "idea of beauty" into birth |