You hold the requisition: ponder it!

If I have right, my duty's plain: if he—

Say so, nor ever change a tone of voice!

At night you meet the Prince; meet me at eve!

Till when, farewell! This discomposes you?

Believe in your own nature, and its force

Of renovating mine! I take my stand

Only as under me the earth is firm:

So, prove the first step stable, all will prove.

That first, I choose—[Laying her hand on his]—the next to take, choose you!