Char. O look not down!
Thou canst not guard thee! Every silken sweep
Of thine eyes’ soft defence but whets assault!
You shall not go! You are the element
In which I breathe! Go from me and I fall
A lifeless thing! Aseffa, pity me!
’T is I who die, not you! (Drops her hands and kneels) O blame me not
That I must worship here—
Asef. Ah, Rafael,
I ’ll live an hour to pray this wrong away
Before I meet thine eyes! (Goes. Charles grasps her cloak) Beast! Claw me not!
(Goes in. Charles gazes after her in a bewildered way. Tries to steady himself, and goes into theatre by main entrance)
(CURTAIN)
Scene II: Within the theatre. Gay decorations. Part of stage shown, on which chorus is assembled. The Emperor and Empress in royal box. Imperial cabinet and friends in boxes adjoining. Part of pit shown, filled with brightly dressed people.
Max. (To Carlotta) O, this is welcome! Are you not happy now?
There ’s not a wrinkle on these smiling brows
Where discontent may write her annals dark!
My empire now is fixed, and strength and love
Are gathering to my side. I can not put
My hand out but ’t is clasped by some new friend.
Car. And true?
Max. And true. You are too fearful, sweet.
Car. And you too trustful.
Max. Nay, we can not trust
Too much. Brutus spoke noblest when he said
‘My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.’
And I would hope as much.