University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Princess' Chamber. Claribel reading; a Lady waiting. Enter Albert.
ALBERT
Your highness sent for me.

CLARIBEL
In truth I did;
But have forgot my purpose.

ALBERT
May I wait
Till you recall it?

CLARIBEL
That would be for ever.
How have you pass'd the morning?

ALBERT
With the prince.

CLARIBEL
You have been hunting with him: is't not so?

ALBERT
I will forswear it, if it be your will.

CLARIBEL
Nay: I'd be wrong, to either step between
You and your friend or stay your arm from deeds
Of manly daring. I must blush to own
A woman's may-be foolish timorousness;
And you are over-rash. You love the chase
(Confess the truth!) more than all joys on earth
Save Casimir's friendship.

ALBERT
Madam! one thing more.

CLARIBEL
And that, best-loved?

ALBERT
My duty next your grace.

CLARIBEL
Is't that weighs down your brows so heavily?

ALBERT
Nay, madam, 'tis the light that dazzles me.

CLARIBEL
Your love is light, then.
[To her Attendant]
Go, fetch me my lute!—
I will sing some low song shall charm away
Your sorrow with its plaintive melody.
I did not deem that love should make men sad.
My father's court is throng'd with lovers, fair
As summer butterflies,—as careless too.
Methinks a gayer, goodlier company
Is rarely met with. But perchance your love
Is of another hue?

ALBERT
The self-same hue,
Yet somewhat differing.

CLARIBEL
Differing:—ha! I see,—
You and your mistress. Trust me, if 'tis so,
You love unworthily: for I know none
So high may bar your suit. Some arrogant girl
Who thinks a peerless knight not noble enough.

ALBERT
No! no! there is no arrogance but mine:
If hopeless reverence can be arrogant.

CLARIBEL
You are too diffident. Dare you confide
Your love to me, that I may plead with her?
I'll guess who it may be. How high is she?

ALBERT
Madam! about your height.

CLARIBEL
About:—And fair?

ALBERT
Fair as Bohemia's Fairest, as the dawn
Of the first, brightest spring; as fair as Hope,
Could Hope be the Belovéd. Fair as thou.

CLARIBEL
If it be not some page's courtly tone,
Or cunningest gloss, to me you would address
Your nameless praise. I am not vain enough
To answer—I deserve it. What heart-words
May echo—

ALBERT
Lady! if transparent speech
Display'd my soul's depth, giving back yourself
To your own gaze:—In the name of loyalty,
My most aspiring thought hath ne'er displaced,
Yet credit this—I have not earn'd your scorn.

CLARIBEL
My scorn!

ALBERT
O Beautiful! thy very pride
Looks angel-like: yet wrongs me—Let me speak!
True heart-devotion, ne'er so meanly born,
Is homage worthy of a queen's regard;
The lowliest truth would kiss her raiment-hem
Too noble for her trampling. I am paid
With your most distant smile for my best worth;
But even my humblest love is no fit slave
For your disdain.

CLARIBEL
(looking in his face)
Albert!

ALBERT
My eyes are dim.

CLARIBEL
(kissing his eyelids)
Canst thou see clearly now? Nay, do not kneel!
Rise to the full height of thy worthiness,
That my glad soul may look up into thine,
My royalest knight! How couldst thou ever doubt?
What! scorn of thee?

ALBERT
My life stands giddily
Upon the sunniest peak of happiness.
Let me hold fast thy hand.

CLARIBEL
For ever, love!

ALBERT
My Princess!

ATTENDANT
(returning)
Madam! you desired me fetch
Your highness' lute. There is a broken string.

CLARIBEL
No matter! Leave us now!—My song is sung.

ALBERT
Yet sing again!

CLARIBEL
If thou wilt sing with me.