 | Zenobia |  |
27
SCENE III.
Zenobia, Ægle.Zen.
Go then, my friend, go seek and bring him to me.
From what I have said thou wilt not fail to know
The husband I have lost. Amidst these woods
He surely dwells. Till thy return I'll wait
Conceal'd within thy cottage—O! I tremble,
Lest once again I meet with Tiridates.
The first encounter teaches me with care
To shun a second.
Ægl.
He who loves you, princess,
May plead forgiveness: never have I view'd
A mien more graceful.
Zen.
Hast thou seen him then?
Ah! where?
Ægl.
But now I met him: he, who seeks
Tidings of you from all, with me awhile
Discours'd of his Zenobia.
Zen.
Ah! what then
Could Ægle say?
Ægl.
With stupid gaze I stood
To wonder at his form, his gentle looks,
His pleasing speech—
Zen.
I ask not this, my friend:
28
The conflict in my bosom.—Didst thou then
To him reveal my fortune?
Ægl.
I remember'd
Your caution given, and kept a faithful silence.
Zen.
Now go, and with my spouse return—Take heed,
And should'st thou meet with Tiridates, still
Observe my laws prescrib'd.
Ægl.
Were I dispos'd,
I never could betray you: in his presence
My lips refuse an utterance to my words.
I never could betray you: in his presence
My lips refuse an utterance to my words.
A magic in those eyes I view,
A charm that ne'er before I knew:
With him my tongue its speech denies.
He questions me: I strive to speak;
Confus'd, the blushes stain my cheek;
And while in vain for words I seek,
My words dissolve in broken sighs.
A charm that ne'er before I knew:
With him my tongue its speech denies.
He questions me: I strive to speak;
Confus'd, the blushes stain my cheek;
And while in vain for words I seek,
My words dissolve in broken sighs.
[Exit.
| Zenobia | |