POLONIA. Speak as we go whatever be your thought,
Still following where I lead,
For I a sight that doth all sights exceed
Will bring you here to see.
LESBIA. What, then, our wishes were you hear from me.
Polonia, you desired
In this wild mountain waste to live retired,
Making of me the heir,
While living, of your kingdom. I would share
With you in turn my plans, however small,
And so I hither come to tell you all.
My will is in your hands;
I ask not counsel, sister, but commands.
A single woman scarce can ever be
Strong through advice, and of necessity
She must be married.
POLONIA. Yes; and if your choice
Has fallen on Philip I may well rejoice,
For then to me you'll owe
Both crown and husband.
PHILIP. May you live whilst glow
The sun's bright beams, that orb which dies at night,
And Phoenix of its rays is born with morning's light.
POLONIA. Then since you thus have gained
Your wish, ye two, now free and unconstrained,
Listen to what I tell,
And all who hear me listen too, as well.
With all the outward show
Of fervour came a man, whom we all know,
Seeking for Patrick's cave,
To enter there, and so his soul to save.
He entered it, and cometh forth today,
And 'tis because my terror and dismay
Are balanced by my wonder, that with me
I bring you to behold this holy prodigy.
I do not tell you who he is lest fear
Should so my heart make craven, that I ne'er
Could reach the end I sought:—
'Tis for this object that you here are brought.
LESBIA. It is but only right
That I should mingle terror with delight.
POLONIA. If strength from him hath fled,
And he extended in the cave lies dead,
At least 'twill show
His punishment; and if he comes, we'll know
The mystery that is here;
If safe he comes, who cometh forth, through fear
Perchance he may not speak,
But, flying men, some solitude may seek
To live and die alone.
LEOGAIRE. What mighty mysteries lie here unknown.
CAPTAIN. The time is opportune that we come here,
For the religious whom we see draw near,
All bathed in tears, now go
To the cave's mouth in solemn, silent row
To throw the gates aside.
* * * * *