Part 2 (2/2)

DEMON. Who would not Feel to find another quicker In the rivalry of wit?-- And though I am not deficient In an answer, I restrain it, Hearing steps approaching hither Through the wood; besides 'tis time I proceeded to the city.

CYPRIAN. Go in peace.

DEMON. Remain in peace.-- [Aside.

So involved in study IS he, That I now must wean him from it, Weaving round him the bewitchment Of rare beauty. Since I have leave To attempt my fires to kindle In Justina's breast, one stroke, Thus, two vengeances shall give me.

[Exit.

CYPRIAN. Never saw I such a man.

But since still my people linger, I, the cause of so much doubt, Will now strive to reconsider.

[He resumes his reading, without perceiving the approach of those who enter.

SCENE IV.

Enter LELIUS and FLORUS.--CYPRIAN.

LELIUS. Further let us not proceed; For these rocks, these boughs so thickly Interwoven, that the sun Cannot even find admittance, Shall be the sole witnesses Of our duel.

FLORUS. Then, this instant Draw your sword; for here are deeds, If in words elsewhere we've striven.

LELIUS. Yes, I know that in the field, While the tongue is mute, the glitter Of the sword speaks thus.

[They fight.

CYPRIAN. What's this?

Hold, good Florus! Lelius, listen!-- Here until your rage is calmed, Even unarmed I stand betwixt ye.

LELIUS. Thus to interrupt my vengeance, Whence, O Cyprian, have you risen Like a spectre?

FLORUS. A wild wood-G.o.d, Have you from these tree-trunks issued?

SCENE V.

Enter MOSCON and CLARIN.

MOSCON. Yonder, where we left our master, I hear sword-strokes; run, run quickly.

CLARIN. Well, except to run away, I am anything but nimble;-- Truly a retiring person.

MOSCON and CLARIN. Sir....

CYPRIAN. No more: your gabble irks me.-- How? What's this? Two n.o.ble friends, Who in blood, in birth, in lineage, Are to-day of Antioch all Its expectancy, the city's Eye of fas.h.i.+on, one the son Of the Governor, of the princely House Colalto, one the heir, Thus to peril, as of little Value, two such precious lives To their country and their kindred?

LELIUS. Cyprian, although respect Which on many grounds I give thee, Holds my sword suspended thus In due deference for an instant,-- To the scabbard's calm repose It hath got no power to win it.

Thou of science knowest more, Than the duel, pretermitting This, that when two n.o.bles meet In the field, no power can link them Friends again, save this, that one Must his life give as a victim.

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