University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Grounds of Palace. A garden bench.
Enter Floretta and Perin meeting.
Flo.
So you are here, sir! This is gallantry,
The very model of a knight are you
Who thus desert your lady.

Perin.
Where's Don Cæsar?

Flo.
What's that to you or me? Where are your duties?
I'm faint; why don't you lead me to a seat?
[Throws herself on garden bench.
I'm feverish; why don't you ply my fan?
[He fans her violently.
I am a woman and need compliments;
Why don't you bend o'er me and praise my beauty.

Perin.
I have no gift for lying.

Flo.
Then acquire it.

Perin.
What! Would praise please you if you knew it false?

Flo.
'Twere better than no praise.

[Rising, and coming forward with him.
Perin.
To be deceived?

Flo.
Pleasant deceit charms more than ugly truth.

Perin.
[Aside.]
I can't resist her frankness. Roguish gipsy.
[Aloud.]
Dear, dear Floretta!

Flo.
Well?

Perin.
If you but knew
Your power o'er me, the witchery of those eyes—

Flo.
Do you mean this?—

Perin.
The honey of those lips?

Flo.
How know you they are sweet?

Perin.
They look so.

Flo.
Looks
Are oft deceptive.

Perin.
Taste is not; Floretta!
[About to kiss her, he checks himself and speaks aside.
Stay; I'm too rash. The Princess may not love,
And should she not, my love might cost my place.
[Turns Floretta round and throws himself carelessly upon garden bench.
Well; will that do?

Flo.
What do?

Perin.
Why the pretence
Of love you asked for. I have done my best?

Flo.
Was all pretence then?

Perin.
Surely. Come, Floretta,
Cast off this folly, emulate our mistress,
Pray for the time—the golden time—when love
And marriage both shall cease, when men and women
Shall dwell at different corners of the world,
And never meet again. Earth then will see
Its happiest generation!

Flo.
[Walking up to him significantly.]
And its last.
Forget not that. If men be all like you,
That generation cannot come too soon.

[Goes out indignantly.
Perin.
[Laughing.]
Poor child, poor child! Well, I must live in hope
To make her due amends. Now for Don Cæsar!

Enter Don Cæsar.
Don C.
Perin!

Perin.
So prince, more news for you.

Don C.
What news?

Perin.
Be firm a little longer, and you triumph.

Don C.
Friend,
You mock me. Never will that haughty spirit
Stoop to man's love!

Perin.
Did you expect the fortress
To yield without a siege. Maintain it bravely,
And on my life she falls; she must.

Don C.
Why must?

Perin.
Because, instead of fighting under cover
She's rash and plans a sally. In plain words,
Equipped with all the dazzling aids of dress,
Her lute upon her arm, she seeks the garden,
And bids me bring you there in secret.

Don C.
So!

Perin.
That you may see her beauty in a garb
Would fire an anchorite, and hear her lute
That would enchant a stone.

Don C.
Are you mad, Perin,
To drive me full into this siren's toils?
She plays divinely; I should ne'er resist
The spell of music.

Perin.
Then don't listen to it.
[Listens to distant sounds of music.
O, she's already gingling.

Don C.
Silence! Silence!
[A prelude of several instruments is heard from garden, then a lute only.
Entrancing sounds! 'Tis she!

Perin.
Up, up, Don Cæsar!
The foe is in the field. Like your great namesake,
Go, see, and conquer. [They walk a few paces: the lute sounds again. Don Cæsar stands absorbed.]
On, prince! on to victory!

[Perin drags him forcibly off.