 | Stephania |  |
Scene I.
—Anteroom to reception-rooms. A balcony open out of the anteroom on to a garden below. Music within the inner rooms. A reception going on.Ernstein and Tammo.
Ern.
She leads him as she will; 'tis all in vain
To turn him from her—all we have to do
Is to keep watch.
Tam.
The world has changed indeed
Since she came here. Instead of funeral bells
They almost seem to ring for marriage now.
Ern.
What is her purpose? Think you she can dream
That he will marry her?
Tam.
Nay, on my word;
Who knows?—not I. A woman is a sphinx,
Sweet-faced, sweet-voiced, a riddle in her heart,
And claws to rend who cannot read it right.
Ern.
Ah, but he cannot marry her. You know
His Embassy already is in Greece
To ask again of the Imperial Court
The hand of its young princess.
91
'Twas refused,
As well you know, once, and may be again.
Ern.
Till 'tis refused he is not free to wed.
Tam.
That's but a trifle; he would overleap
Such obstacle as that with scarce a thought.
Ern.
Would we were far away from Rome and her.
Tam.
Cheer up, good Ernstein, there is naught to fear.
See! there she goes, the fairest of them all.
Ern.
Ay; but the others shrink away from her,
As if there were contagion in her touch.
Tam.
They envy her for her great beauty first,
And then, because the Emperor smiles on her.
Ern.
And yet his smile is not so frank and fond
As once it was. His love begins to spoil,
Like fruit that's over-ripe. She knows it too.
Tam.
Look, how she watches him with anxious eye,
Fearing to see him with these courtly dames,
Lest one should steal his heart, and leave her poor.
Ern.
I do not trust her. Well she plays her part,
But 'tis a part. There's mischief in her face.
Tam.
There is, indeed. I feel it in my heart.
I am impatient for the time to come
When Otho wearies of her.
Ern.
Why? I pray.
Tam.
To leave the field to me.
Ern.
The field to you?
Tam.
Ay, Ernstein. I am more than half in love;
But who's a chance till Otho throws her off!
Ern.
You think he will?
92
Of course he will, at last.
Ern.
That's what I hope and fear; but whether hope
Or fear is uppermost, I scarce can say.
Tam.
Well, I hope most. How beautiful she is!
Her face is like a bright autumnal day.
Ern.
Rather a sultry thunder-breeding day.
Tam.
I see you have, as these Italians say,
A nail fixed in your brain.
Ern.
The event will show,
Perhaps too late, who's right.
Tam.
Let us not spoil
To-day's enjoyment with to-morrow's dread.
Come, let us join the company again.
[Exeunt.
| Stephania | |