University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Olivia's chamber. Olivia and Jacquelina.
Jacq.
Speak not so faintly; it will not recoil.

Oliv.
Thou know'st not that. One interview, one word
Of soft expostulation 's ruin.

Jacq.
'Sdeath!
Is this a time for halts, and snail-paced fears?—
Lady, we 're in for 't; launched; and must bestir
Ourselves to scape the quicksands.

Oliv.
Gently—O, more gently.—
But say again,—how spake he? how looked he?

Jacq.
Nay, nay, I 've told you thrice.

Oliv.
Raised he no scruple?

Jacq.
O, yes; and puzzled for a while
To reconcile her conduct with the letter—

Oliv.
The snare,—the rash, the fatal snare!

Jacq.
But here,
My gloss, like every able commentator's,
Perplexed the plain and simple to our purpose.
No, no; belief has full possession of him.—
His temper mainly serves us. Ne'er will he
Confront and tax her with her perfidy,
As many a man would do: he will conceal
The bleeding hurt, till thy sweet surgery
Have time to heal it. As for her, she 'd fade
To alabaster ere complain to mortal.

Oliv.
But what avails all this, unless—

Jacq.
(singing.)

Oliv.
Have done with flourishes, and plainly say—

Jacq.
First probe the wound that rankles in his pride.
He thinks Lord Cosmo jilted. Gall him first.
Then drop in balm upon the smarting spot,
By telling him some flattering, tender tale,
Aptly contrived; and, when the mood is on,
Whisper how well it were, and how deserved,
To show this fickle fair one he contemns her
By wedding with a maid, who long has hung
With secret passion o'er his image.

Oliv.
Rare!

Jacq.
But I must use ye freely. I must swear
You sigh his name to rills, carve it on trees,
Twine it with love-knots, like Angelica
Her young Medoro's;—evidence the same,
Impressed, perhaps, in some sequestered shade;
Protest you waste the sleepless hours on him,
And in your dreams hold converse with his ghost.

Oliv.
Be wary, O, be wary:—thou grow'st giddy.

Jacq.
Now, to the hall. Remember your own part.
Sadden your aspect; let your languishing eye
Dwell on him as the bird's upon the serpent's:—
Soon as he marks, avert it;—heave a sigh;—
A gentle sigh,—perceptible,—but just
To show the swelling of your bosom.

Oliv.
(aside.)
Familiar insolence!

(Exeunt.)