University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Room of State in the Palace.
Boleslaus on his throne; Claribel seated at his feet; the Princes standing in front; Knights, Ladies, and Attendants around.
BOLESLAUS
We wait your slow decision, Claribel!
These princes now have sojourn'd in our court
Full time enough for the most fickle eyes
To make election: difficult at first,
Where all are worthy; but a woman's wit
And ready apprehension can not fail
To note ere long some difference of port,
Or manner, or behaviour, which may help
Her certain choice. Which of these lords shall be
Your husband, heir unto Bohemia's crown?

CLARIBEL
May I be free to speak?

BOLESLAUS
Speak as thou wilt!

CLARIBEL
Then, good my lord! my choice doth light on none.

BOLESLAUS
Thou hast no choice 'mong all these gentlemen?
What then?

CLARIBEL
I would not wed with either, sir!
I speak it not of mere maid bashfulness,
Nor frowardly contemning princely worth,—
Albeit not for my purchase while my heart
Hath no response. My answer is but this—
I can not choose to wed unless I love.

BOLESLAUS
Then we must choose for thee. Shall it be said
King Boleslaus has play'd with welcomed guests?
Yet, Princes! speak to her. Your smoother tones
May charm this waywardness. We little like
To have our purposes so set at nought.

PRINCE RUDOLPH
Princess! I pray you to allow my suit.
A jewel should be worn and well display'd,
Not hidden away: and thou a priceless one
With thy rich dower of beauty. For the love
Hath so long knit our houses, let me bind
Our realms in one dear hope, thy hand in mine.

CLARIBEL
Prince Rudolph loves the jewel set in gold.
It is Bohemia's daughter he would wed:
And as Bohemia's daughter I reply—
I am too proud to be his hand-maiden,
Even to place the jewel in his cap.

ANOTHER OF THE PRINCES
Lady! beseech thee let my passion move
Thy virgin coldness. Not Bohemia's round
Of golden glory, but the sunny light
Of all perfections circling thy bright self,
Hath warm'd my heart. My life will worship thee
With utmost patience, let thy sweet spring smile
Shine on me through this winterly contempt.

CLARIBEL
Let that same patience ask another spring!
I do not warm to thee. Thy sunniest speech
Thaws not the ice between us. I am fix'd
In my first resolution.

ANOTHER OF THE PRINCES
Yet relent.
Set me, dear princess! to some arduous task
Whose prize may be thy favour. Let me wear
Thy glove, even as a promise, on my helm.

CLARIBEL
Is then thy courage all so dull to need
The spur of a poor guerdon? Dost hold back
From nobleness until thou hear'st the price?
My father's daughter is not yet for sale,
Though honour bid.

CASIMIR
Belovéd Claribel!
Refuse me not, for this: While these have sought
Thy favour with word-wooing, I have cared
Rather to let the echo of brave deeds
Reach thee from far and whisper my desert
Than strive to please thine eyes, reflecting back
From my unstained armour the glad sheen
Of thy most radiant presence, or to mix
My words in this midsummer melody.
If Fame has spoken for me, may thy voice,
Sweeter than Fame's, approve her plea and mine.

CLARIBEL
Prince Casimir! I should dispraise your worth
By scornful words. I fear my speech has err'd
From courtesy toward these gentlemen:
Yet I would not contemn their dear regards.
Truly I thank them that they so affect
Bohemia's daughter. My acknowledgment
Will heal, I hope, such wounds as I have made.
You too I thank, sir! for your kindly thoughts;
Which I am all too poor to render back
With the sole rendering you could well accept.
Too poor, for that my heart has been and is
Unsway'd by love toward you. I beseech,
Of you and all these lords, construction clear
Of my most simple words: I do esteem
Your several worths, but none of you I love
As she should love who would be royal wife.
By your own truths, I pray, believe me now.
I do not falter.

BOLESLAUS
Stay! this shall nòt be.
We may not have our policy so cross'd
By girlish whimsies. Thou shalt wed perforce.
But not to make election blindfolded,
To-morrow we will hold a tournament;
And there thou shalt adjudge thyself as prize
To him who best deserves.—Nay, answer not.
Princes! we wish that we had girls enough
To wive you all; so none might leave our court
Unsatisfied. But since that may not be,
We pray you hold our loves of equal weight;
Nor blame our care that only one can gain.
To-morrow shall proclaim Bohemia's heir.
We leave you to the tending of your hopes.

Exit with Claribel and Train, the Princes following. As they go out
PRINCE RUDOLPH
(to Casimir)
You look not in discarded mood, my lord!

CASIMIR
Why should I, when to-morrow will amend
To-day's deferral?
[Casimir and Albert remain.]
Albert! look at him.
Faith, he's as sad as if king Boleslaus
Himself had stamp'd refusal. Let him fear:
For hope girds on my sword. Her hand is mine.

ALBERT
Whether she will or no?

CASIMIR
A woman's No.
But thou hast heard. She has not made a choice:
Save that her words to me were gentler-toned.
I quarrel not with that. My way is clear.
She bids me write the Yes with my own hand.
Shall I not snatch her from this summer swarm

ALBERT
But if she yet should choose; and if her choice
Should be another?

CASIMIR
Think'st thou I would yield?
Yield her whose love is more than life to me:
For I'd not live without her.

ALBERT
Would'st thou wrong
The gentle love which never may be forced?
Would'st savagely o'ermaster the Adored?
Or claim her heart even if it gave not back
One pulse to thine?

CASIMIR
If! if!—My doubtful friend!
Thou hast never loved, or thou would'st know that ifs
Are meaningless. My mortal enemy
I'd grasp with ungloved peace ere I would back
One step out of the path toward my love,
Even for my brother and most dearest friend.
Let them beware!—for I or the other side,
Though ne'er so many, in to-morrow's lists
Shall look our last on her. Her hand is mine.