Chrysanthus (aside).
Grant, O Lord, unto my tongue
Words that may dispel her darkness.
Daria (aside).
To come near him makes me tremble.
Chrysanthus (aside).
To address her, quite unmans me:—
Not in vain, O fair Daria, (aloud.
Does the verdure of this garden,
When it sees thee pass, grow young
As beneath spring's dewy spangles;
Not in vain, since though 't is evening,
Thou a new Aurora dazzleth,
That the birds in public concert
Hail thee with a joyous anthem;
Not in vain the streams and fountains,
As their crystal current passes,
Keep melodious time and tune
With the bent boughs of the alders;
The light movement of the zephyrs
As athwart the flowers they 're wafted,
Bends their heads to see thee coming,
Then uplifts them to look after.
Daria.
These fine flatteries, these fine phrases
Make me doubt of thee, Chrysanthus.
He who gilds the false so well,
Must mere truth find unattractive.
Chrysanthus.
Hast thou then such little faith
In my love?
Daria.
Thou needst not marvel.
Chrysanthus.
Why?
Daria.