SCENE XI.
THE STREET BEFORE LYSANDER'S HOUSE: NIGHT
Enter FLORUS and LELIUS at opposite sides, not seeing each other.
LELIUS [aside]. Scarcely has the darksome night
O'er the brow of heaven extended*
Its black veil, when I come hither
To adore this sacred threshold;
For although at Cyprian's prayer,
I my sharp sword have suspended,
I have not my love, for love
Cannot be suspended ever.
[footnote] *Asonante in e-e, to the end of the Act.
FLORUS [aside]. Here the dawn will find me waiting:—
Here, because 'tis force compels me
To go hence, for I, elsewhere,
Am away from my true centre.
Would to love the day had come,
And with it the dear, expected
Answer Cyprian may bring me,
Risking all upon that venture.
LELIUS [aside]. I have surely in that window
Heard a noise.
FLORUS [aside]. Some sound descends here
From that balcony.
SCENE XII.
The Demon appears at a window in the house of LYSANDER.
LELIUS [aside]. A figure
Issues from it, whose dim presence
I distinguish.
FLORUS [aside]. Through the darkness
I can there perceive some person.
DEMON [aside]. For the many persecutions
O'er Justina's head impending,
Her pure honour to defame
Thus I make a bold commencement.
[He descends by a ladder.
LELIUS [aside]. But, O woe! what's this I witness!—
FLORUS [aside]. What do I see! Oh, wretched! wretched!—
LELIUS [aside]. From the balcony to the ground
The dark figure has descended.
FLORUS [aside]. From her house a man comes forth!—
Jealousy kill me not, preserve me,
'Till I discover who he is.
LELIUS [aside]. I will try to intercept him
And find out at once who thus
Tastes the bliss I've lost for ever.
[They advance with drawn swords to recognise
the person who has descended.
DEMON [aside]. Not alone Justina's fame
Do I by this act discredit,
But dissensions, perhaps murders,
Thus provoke. Ope, earth's dark centre,
And receive me, leaving here
This confusion
[He disappears between FLORUS and LELIUS, who meet together.
SCENE XIII.
FLORUS and LELIUS.
LELIUS. Sir, whoever
You may be, it doth import me
To know who you are directly;
So at every risk I come here,
On this resolute quest determined.
Say who are you.
FLORUS. If the accident
Of my having been the observer
Of your secret love, compels you
To this valorous aggression,
More than it can you concern
Me to know, it doth concern me
To know you; for to be curious
Is far less than to be jealous.
Yes, by Heaven! for who is master
Of the house have I to learn here,
Who it is at such an hour,
By this balcony ascending,
Gaineth that which I lose weeping
At these gratings.
LELIUS. This excelleth,
Good, in faith, is it thus to dim
The clear light of my resentment,
By attributing to me
That which solely your offence is!—
Who you are I have to know,
Death to give to him who has left me
Dead with jealousy here, by coming
From this balcony.
FLORUS. How excessive
How superfluous is this caution,
Proving what it would dissemble!
LELIUS. Vainly would the tongue untangle
That which the keen sword can better
Thus cut through.
FLORUS. With it I answer.
[They fight.
LELIUS. In this way I'll know for certain
Who is the admitted lover
Of Justina.
FLORUS. My intention
Is the same. I'll die or know you.
SCENE XIV.
Enter CYPRIAN, MOSCON, and CLARIN.
CYPRIAN. Gentlemen, I pray you let me
Interpose in this your quarrel,
Since by accident I am present.
FLORUS. You cannot oblige me more
Than by letting the fight be ended.
CYPRIAN. Florus?
FLORUS. Yes, for sword in hand,
I my name deny not ever
To who asks.
CYPRIAN. I'm at your side,
Death to him who would offend you.
LELIUS. You produce in me less fear,
Both of you thus joined together,
Than did he alone.
CYPRIAN. What! Lelius?
LELIUS. Yes.
CYPRIAN. I am prevented
[To Florus.
Now from standing at your side,
Since between you I present me.
How is this? In one day twice
Have I your disputes to settle!—
LELIUS. Then this time will be the last,
For we've settled them already;
Since in knowing who is he
Who Justina's heart possesses,
Now no more my hope remaineth,
Even the thought of it hath left me.
If you have not to Justina
Spoken yet, do not address her;
This I ask you in the name
Of my wrongs and my resentments,
Having seen her secret favours
Florus' happier fate deserveth.
From this balcony I saw him,
From my lost delight descending;
And my heart is not so base
As to meanly love, in presence
Of such jealousies so well proved,
Of disillusions, ah! so certain.
[Exit.
FLORUS. Stay.