Part 10 (2/2)

_Asan._ That I am not; but never could I bear To play the midnight thief, and ma.s.sacre Without announcement of legitimate war Whom daily I have known. My wife I love With all the love of my soul. If she seem cold When any word is spoken which may touch The safety of the State, think you she would love The husband who destroyed it? All my heart Is in her keeping.

_Lys._ It is well indeed To have such faith. Doubtless the Lady Gycia Returns this pure affection.

_Asan._ I would doubt The saints in heaven sooner than her truth, Which if I doubted, then the skies might fall, The bounds of right and wrong might be removed, The perjurer show truthful, and the wanton Chaste as the virgin, and the cold, pure saint More foolish than the prodigal who eats The husks of sense--it were all one to me; I could not trust in virtue.

_Lys._ Thou art changed Since when thy s.h.i.+p set sail from Bosphorus; Thou didst not always think with such fond thought As now thou dost. Say, didst thou find thy bride Heart-whole as thou didst wish? Had she no lover Ere yet thou camest?

_Asan._ Nay, nay; I found my wife Virgin in heart and soul.

_Lys._ My Lord Asander, Art thou too credulous here? What if I saw her On that same spot, not half an hour ago, In tears, and kneeling at her feet a gallant n.o.ble and comely as a morn in June, Who bade her break, with pa.s.sionate words of love, Her hateful marriage vows, and make him blest Who must for ever love?

_Asan._ Thou sawest my wife Gycia, my pearl of women, my life, my treasure?

Nay, nay, 'tis some sick dream! Thou art mistaken.

Who knelt to her?

_Lys._ She called him Theodorus.

_Asan._ Irene's brother! Who was it who said He loved her without hope? Lysimachus, What is it that thou sawest? Come, 'tis a jest!

Kneeling to Gycia, praying her to fly!

Nay, nay, what folly is this?

[_Laughs._

_Lys._ My lord, I swear It is no jest indeed, but solemn earnest.

I saw him kneel to her; I heard the pa.s.sion Burn through his voice.

_Asan._ And she? What did my lady?

She did repulse him sternly?

_Lys._ Nay, indeed, She wept; was greatly moved, and whispered to him, ”I am a wife.”

_Asan._ Peace, peace! I will not hear Another word. How little do they know thee, My white, pure dove! My Lord Lysimachus, Some glamour has misled thee.

_Lys._ Well, my lord, I should rejoice to think it, but I cannot Deny my eyes and ears. Is not this n.o.ble The brother of the lady who was once At Bosphorus at Court, and now attends The Lady Gycia?

_Asan._ Ay, indeed he is.

_Lys._ Well, she is near at hand; if thy belief Inclines not to my tale--which yet is true-- Couldst thou not ask of her if ere your marriage Her brother was enamoured of your wife, And she of him?

_Asan._ That might I do indeed.

But, sooth to say, I would not speak again With her you name; and it may be indeed, Since well I know her, that the Lady Gycia, Who is angered with her for what cause I know not, Might well resent the converse.

_Lys._ Prince Asander, There is no man so blind as he who closes His eyes to the light and will not have it s.h.i.+ne, As thou dost now.

_Asan._ Then will I see this lady, Though knowing it is vain.

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