University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

ERMINIA'S CHAMBER. Erminia. Maria. [Maria is going. Erminia calls her back.
Erminia.
Maria, is the countess very fair?

Maria.
Most beautiful. But you yourself must judge.
She sent me for you in the gentlest tone,
And far more anxious to see you, than you
(It seems) are to see her.

Erminia.
I am afraid
To see her.

Maria.
You afraid! Whom should you fear?
Beautiful as she is, are not you more so?

Erminia.
So you may think; others think otherwise.

Maria.
She is so affable! When many lords
Stood round about her, and the noblest of them
And bravest, Marchesella, who would give
His lands, his castles, even his knighthood for her . .
Whom do you think she call'd to her? . . the youth
Who cut the cables, and then hid himself
That none might praise him . . him who brought in safety
Your lover to the shore.

Erminia
(angrily).
Whom?

Maria.
Whom? Stamura.

Erminia.
What heart could he not win . . not scorn . . not break?

Maria.
I do not hear those shy ones ever break
A woman's heart, or win one. They may scorn;
But who minds that?

Erminia.
Leave me.

Maria.
And tell the countess
You hasten to her presence?

Erminia.
Is he there?

Maria.
Who?

Erminia.
Dull, dull creature!

Maria.
The brave Marchesella?

Erminia.
Are there none brave but he?

Maria.
O! then, Stamura.
No: when he led her from the mole again,
And she had enter'd the hall-door, he left her.

Erminia.
I fear'd he might be with her. Were he with her,
What matter! I could wait until . . Wait! why?
He would not look at me, nor I at him.

Maria.
No; I can answer for him. Were he born
Under the waves, and never saw the sun,
He could not have been colder. But you might
Have lookt at him, perhaps.

Erminia.
Not I indeed.

Maria.
Few men are like him. How you hug me!

Erminia.
Go . .
I will run first . . Go . . I am now quite ready.