Rosamund, Queen of the Lombards.
Hildegard, a noble Lombard maiden.
Scene, VERONA.
Time, June 573
ACT I.
A hall in the Palace: a curtain drawn midway across it.
Enter Albovine and Narsetes.
ALBOVINE.
This is no matter of the wars: in war
Thy king, old friend, is less than king of thine,
And comrade less than follower. Hast thou loved
Ever—loved woman, not as chance may love,
But as thou hast loved thy sword or friend—or me?
Thou hast shewn me love more stout of heart than death.
Death quailed before thee when thou gav’st me life,
Borne down in battle.
NARSETES.