Antonio: To Helena! my father! sealed!
Hæmon: Bardas, you bring the truth?—And so, my lord,
You stab me through another—you, my friend?
Antonio (to Bardas): Do you mean that——?
Bardas: Until this hour I held
The race of Charles di Tocca bold, or other
But empty of all lies in deed or speech,
It grows—a little low?
Antonio: Why you are mad!
Are mad! I'm naked of this thing, and hide
No guilt behind the wonder of my face.
For Paradises brimming with all Beauty
I would not lay one fancy's weight of shame
On her you name!
Bardas: A pretty protest—but
A breath too heavenly.
Antonio: Leave sneering there!
You have repaid yourself—cast on me words
Intolerable more than loss of life.
You both shall learn this night's entangling.
But know, between her, Helena, and shame
I burn with flaming heart and fearless hand!
(Goes angrily.
Hæmon: He can be false and wear this mien of truth?
Bardas: I'll not believe!
Hæmon: But, what: my sister seized?