Part 23 (1/2)

_Morgana._ One to one promises at least more even weight

_Algernon._ I would not have it so. Pray, forgive me.

_Morgana._ Forgive you? For what?

_Algernon._ I wish to say, and I do not well know how, without seeming to a.s.sume what I have no right to a.s.sume, and then I must have double cause to ask your forgiveness.

_Morgana._ Shall I imagine what you wish to say, and say it for you?

_Algernon._ You would relieve me infinitely, if you imagine justly.

_Morgana._ You may begin by saying with Achilles,

My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred; And I myself see not the bottom of it.{1}

1 Troilus and Cressida, Act iii. Sc. 3.

_Algernon._ I think I do see it more clearly.

_Morgana._ You may next say, I live an enchanted life. I have been in danger of breaking the spell; it has once more bound me with sevenfold force; I was in danger of yielding to another attraction; I went a step too far in all but declaring it; I do not know how to make a decent retreat.

_Algernon._ Oh! no, no; nothing like that.

_Morgana._ Then there is a third thing you may say; but before I say that for you, you must promise to make no reply, not even a monosyllable; and not to revert to the subject for four times seven days. You hesitate.

_Algernon._ It seems as if my fate were trembling in the balance.

Morgana, You must give me the promise I have asked for.

_Algernon._ I do give it.

_Morgana._ Repeat it then, word for word.

_Algernon._ To listen to you in silence; not to say a syllable in reply; not to return to the subject for four times seven days.

_Morgana._ Then you may say, I have fallen in love; very irrationally--(_he was about to exclaim, but she placed her finger on her lips_)--very irrationally; but I cannot help it. I fear I must yield to my destiny. I will try to free myself from all obstacles; I will, if I can, offer my hand where I have given my heart. And this I will do, if I ever do, at the end of four times seven days: if not then, never.

She placed her finger on her lips again, and immediately left the room, having first pointed to a pa.s.sage in the open pages of _Orlando Innamorato_. She was gone before he was aware that she was going; but he turned to the book, and read the indicated pa.s.sage. It was a part of the continuation of Orlando's adventure in the enchanted garden, when, himself pursued and scourged by _La Penitenza_, he was pursuing the Fata Morgana over rugged rocks and through briery thickets.

Cosi diceva. Con molta rovina Sempre seguia Morgana il cavalliero: Fiacca ogni bronco ed ogni mala spina, Lasciando dietro a se largo il sentiero: Ed a la Fata molto s' avicina E gia d' averla presa e il suo pensiero: Ma quel pensiero e ben fallace e vano, Pera che presa anchor scappa di mano.

O quante volte gli dette di piglio, Hora ne' panni ed hor nella persona: Ma il vestimento, ch* e bianco e vermiglio, Ne la speranza presto 1' abbandona: Pur una fiata rivoltando il ciglio, Come Dio volse e la ventura buona, Volgendo il viso quella Fata al Conte El ben la prese al zuffo ne la fronte.

Allor cangiosse il tempo, e l' aria scura Divenne chiara, e il ciel tutto sereno, E aspro monte si fece pianura; E dove prima fa di spine pteno, Se coperse de fiori e de verdura: E Uagedar dell' altra veni La qual, con miglior viio che non mole, Verso del Conte usava tel parole.

Attend, cavalliero, a quella ct.i.tama....{1}

1 Bojardo, _Orlando Innamarato_, L ii. c. 9. Ed. di Vinegia; 1544.

So spake Repentance. With the speed of fire Orlando followed where the enchantress fled, Rending and scattering tree and bush and brier, And leaving wide the vestige of his tread.

Nearer he drew, with feet that could not tire, And strong in hope to seise her as she sped.