 | The Palace of Truth |  |
ACT III.
Scene.—The Avenue of Palms—night. Chrysal discovered with a drawn sword in his hand.Enter Gélanor.
Gélan.
Chrysal, alone! And with a naked sword!
Chrys.
I'm waiting Zoram. I have challenged him.
He meets me here—the Avenue of Palms.
Gélan.
Has he offended you?
Chrys.
Most grievously.
You heard the words he used to me to-day?
Gélan.
I did.
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Then blood must flow. I am a knight;
My knightly honour claims this sacrifice.
I've been insulted—one of us must die!
Gelan.
You are a valiant man, if one may judge
By your demeanour.
Chrys.
(very valiantly).
My demeanour? Bounce!
Mere idle empty froth and nothing more.
Why, notwithstanding that I look so brave,
I'd give the riches of a universe
To find some decent means of backing out;
But, no, my honour must be satisfied!
If I endured with patience Zoram's taunts,
I should deserve to have my knightly spurs
Struck from my heels! 'Sdeath, sir, I'm bound to fight!
Gélan.
Is Zoram a good swordsman?
Chrys.
Not at all.
I'm far more skilled—but still I can't repress
A certain sense of terror. Accident
May give him victory.
Gélan.
Apologize!
Chrys.
(indignantly).
To Zoram? Never! Would you have me stain
My hitherto untarnished 'scutcheon? Shame!
Stand back—he comes!
Enter Zoram, with drawn sword.
Well, sir, you've kept your word.
Zor.
Of course I have!
Chrys.
(very sternly).
I'm very much surprised—
I may say disappointed—to remark
That you're prepared to fight and do not show
The signs of terror that I hoped to see.
Zor.
(very bravely).
Oh, sir, I pray you don't deceive yourself!
My valiant manner hides an inward fear
That almost robs me of the power of thought!
Chrysal, you've grievously insulted me;
My sense of honour forces me to fight!
But I would rather have my hand cut off
(Could that be done without inflicting pain)
Than measure swords with you!
Chrys.
You craven hound!
Zor.
Craven yourself!
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(furiously).
I am, but you don't know it,
You musical impostor!
Zor.
Ha, what's that?
I can stand much abuse and never flinch,
But when you twit me with my ignorance
Of musical expressions, blood alone
(Unless we're interrupted) can extract
The venom of the insult! Come! On guard!
(They fight.)
Gelan.
(aside).
These donkeys must not fight! (Aloud.)
Come—let me try
To reconcile you.
Chrys.
Reconcile us? No!
But you can interfere to stop the fight! (They desist.)
Zor.
(looking reproachfully at Gélanor).
I little thought when I called Chrysal on,
That such a venerable gentleman
Would suffer two impetuous headstrong youths
To cut each other's throats.
Gélan.
Come, come—desist.
Chrys.
This hound abused me!
Zor.
He insulted me;
Both.
Our honour must be satisfied!
(They cross swords.)
Gélan.
No, no—
Attend to me. Within these crystal walls
A strange mysterious influence prevails:
All men are bound to speak the plainest truth!
And this they do, without suspecting it.
(To Zoram.)
When Chrysal spoke the words that angered you
He did not mean to speak them. He believed
That he was paying you a compliment.
(To Chrysal.)
When Zoram said that he considered you
A systematic liar, mean, poor, base,
Selfish, and sordid, cruel, tyrannical,
'Twas what he thought—not what he would have said!
Chrys.
I see—if that was only what he thought,
It makes a difference.
Gélan.
What could he say?
He was compelled, you know, to speak the truth.
Chrys.
Of course, I understand. Zoram, your hand!
Zor.
With pleasure. (Shaking hands with Chrysal.)
Chrysal, I should like to say
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My detestation of you knows no bounds.
Chrys.
How, sir? A fresh affront?
Zor.
What can I do?
I try my best to say agreeable things,
But you're so utterly contemptible!
I'd put it more politely, but I can't!
I'm bound against my will to speak the truth!
I'd not insult you openly, for worlds—
Indeed, it's only what I think of you!
Chrys.
If it is only what you think of me,
Why, say no more; give me your hand again—
My knightly honour's amply satisfied!
[They sheathe their swords, then exeunt arm in arm.
Gélan.
So dies that breeze away! Oh, honour, honour!
Let no one take you at the estimate
Your self-elected champions price you at!
More harm is worked in that one virtue's name,
Than springs from half the vices of the earth!
Enter Queen Altemire, in violent rage.
Altem.
Why, Gélanor, this is no spot for you,
You'd better go—the King will wish you gone.
Gélan.
Indeed! And why?
Altem.
I'll tell you, Gélanor,
His majesty has an appointment here.
Oh, Gélanor, I've been alone with him
This afternoon, and I have learnt such things!
Why, even here—despite the castle's charm,
Despite the sacred influence of the place,
He prosecutes his infidelities!
At first he persecuted Mirza, but
Failing to find much favour in her eyes,
He looked for other game. Why, Gélanor,
He meets some woman called Azèma here,
At ten o'clock to-night!
Gélan.
The deuce he does!
Altem.
Then I resolved to know the very worst.
I locked him in my room and questioned him
For full three hours about his married life.
Oh, I elicited such fearful things!
Why, Gélanor, there's not a woman's name
In all the long baptismal catalogue
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Tall, short, stout, slender, fair, dark, old and young,
High, low, rich, poor, good, bad, maid, widow, wife,
Of every country and of every clime!
All's fish that his nets catch!
Gélan.
And a king's net
Is very comprehensive. Here she comes!
Enter Azèma.
Altem.
Is this the woman? Tell me, who are you?
Azèma.
I am Azèma.
Altem.
And I am the Queen!
Azèma
(bowing).
Then, madam, you're extremely in the way.
Altem.
How so?
Azèma.
I've an appointment with the King,
Of which you are entirely unaware;
But though I'm much annoyed to find you here,
I'm glad to find you here with Gélanor.
Altem.
And why?
Azèma.
If our intrigue should come to light,
We can retaliate by giving out
That you and Gélanor are just as bad.
Altem.
Upon my word!
Gélan.
Oh, this is past belief!
Altem.
Infamous hussy, you shall pay for this!
Azèma.
Why, madam, how have I offended you?
Altem.
How?—you are here to meet the King, alone;
At night—by pre-arrangement—in the dark!
Azèma.
Oh, madam, this indeed is terrible!
That poor Azèma should be charged with this!
It's true I've an appointment with the King,
But as you're not aware of it, your words
Are utterly unjustifiable.
These flashing eyeballs and this angry blush
(At least I hope I'm blushing) represent
The noble rage of outraged innocence.
I'll to the King, and let him know at once
How, as I wandered through the grove, alone,
I found you here with wicked Gélanor,
At night—by pre-arrangement—in the dark.
Oh, shame upon you—shame upon you, Queen!
[Exit Azèma—Altemire and Gélanor stand confounded.
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Your majesty, I think I'd better go.
Altem.
Absurd! the notion is preposterous!
You're old enough to be my father.
Gélan.
Quite!
And wise enough to know that proper folk
Will only say “that makes the matter worse!”
Altem.
But surely here, in this enchanted home,
Where all are bound to speak the truth, our word
Will guarantee our perfect innocence!
Gélan.
Yes, if the King is pleased to take our word;
But, as you've brought a charge against the King,
Analogous to that which will be brought
Against ourselves, he may ignore the fact
That truth is truth. No, no, upon the whole,
I think, your majesty, I'd better go!
[Exit Gélanor.
Enter Palmis and Zeolide, Zeolide weeping.
Palmis.
Nay, do not weep, dear mistress.
Zeo.
Ah, my friend,
What comfort can you offer me?
Palmis.
I've heard
That when one is oppressed with weight of woe,
Some solace may be found in dwelling on
The grief of one more sorely laden still.
Zeo.
More sorely laden? Where will Zeolide
Find one whose misery outweighs her own?
Palmis.
Your misery, though great, is but a grain
When balanced in the scales with mine!
Zeo.
With yours?
Palmis.
Yes; Philamir respects you. He esteems
Your moral excellence, although no doubt
He does not love you as a lover should;
But Chrysal always hated me, and sought
To gain that love I gave so willingly
To hasten his promotion at the Court.
Your case and mine are different. Besides,
You angered Philamir. I never gave
My Chrysal any reason for his hate.
Zeo.
How did I anger him?
Palmis.
Your petulance
Annoyed him.
Zeo.
Petulance! He told me that
He only liked me!
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(coming forward).
True, but you forget
He was compelled to speak the plainest truth,
And knew not that he spoke it. He believed
(While he was telling you he loved you not)
That he was breathing ardent words of love;
Believing this, your reasonable rage
Seemed in his eyes irrational caprice,
And changed his waning love to sheer dislike.
Zeo.
Is this the truth, then?
Altem.
Yes, I think it is.
The test has been exceedingly severe.
Zeo.
I'll wed no man who cannot stand this test.
Palmis.
Then, Zeolide, you'll surely die a maid!
Altem.
Come, come, be reasonable. Philamir
Is but a man—a vain and idle one,
But under this veneer of coxcombry
There's sterling stuff. The man is honest gold,
And vanity has silver-plated him.
Palmis.
At all events, you know he likes you well.
How many maidens when they wed a man
Have reason to be sure of half as much!
Zeo.
But then his love for Mirza!
Altem.
Idle pique!
No doubt he hoped—as other lovers hope—
In the fierce whirlpool of a new-born love
To drown remembrance of the love just dead.
Here comes the Lady Mirza! We will go,
And leave you with her. Tell her everything;
She is a noble lady—wise and pure!
She will not rob you of your Philamir.
There—tell her all!
Zeo.
Forgive me, mother dear,
My heart is softened. I have been unjust.
[Exeunt Altemire and Palmis.
Enter Mirza.
Mirza.
Oh, Zeolide, I know what you would say.
Say on, dear Zeolide, and have no fear.
Zeo.
Mirza, for three long years we two have been
As sisters are, and I would speak to you
As younger sister speaks to elder-born.
Give me your counsel, Mirza; it will be
As pure, as true, as honest as those eyes.
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If counsel such as mine can serve you aught,
'Tis thine, dear Zeolide. My sister, speak.
Zeo.
With all my soul I love Prince Philamir.
A lady—good and beautiful and wise—
Unwittingly hath robbed me of my love;
She is too pure, too gentle, too divine,
To seek a love that rightly is not hers.
No, no, this lady hath not sought his love—
Of that I'm certain, yet she hath his love!
Oh, Mirza, when my Philamir declared
His love for me, I cast away the world
To enter Paradise. Now, Philamir
Has led this lady (all unwillingly)
Within its gates, and I am left without—
A lonely wanderer 'twixt earth and heaven.
Mirza, dear sister, say—what shall I do?
Give me thy counsel—I'll abide by it.
Mirza.
No need to speak to me in parable.
I am that lady whom you over-praise—
That most unhappy woman, Zeolide!
Despite myself, I must admit the truth,
I do love Philamir—shrink not from me.
Mine is no idle love. Four years ago,
Ere you had ever seen Prince Philamir,
I was a lady of his father's Court.
He loved me even then, and I loved him—
No need to tell you, dearest Zeolide,
The nature of that love; you know too well
How women love who love Prince Philamir!
We were betrothed, but secretly. Alas!
I was a humble waiting lady, he
A mighty Prince—so we concealed our love.
Then it was rumoured that he sought your hand,
That policy, the curse of kings, required
That he should marry you. Then I fell ill—
(Struggling with her emotion)
Pass over that. Let it suffice that I
Released him—for I loved him passing well!
Zeo.
(amazed).
I never knew of this!
Mirza.
No, Zeolide,
I've learnt to bear my sorrow silently.
But for the sacred genius of this spot,
Whose influence no mortal can resist,
My secret would have passed away with me.
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How coldly you received his vows of love—
Zeo.
(rising, astonished).
Coldly! Why, every word he spoke to me
Rang through my brain, and would have waked up love
Had love been dead!
Mirza.
I thought you loved him not.
But though I grieved for him, yet when he spake
(As he at times would speak) of our old love,
I checked him with a simulated scorn,
For then, dear Zeolide, I loved you both!
Zeo.
You love me still?
Mirza.
Most heartily!
Zeo.
Why, then,
Have mercy on me, give me Philamir—
He is the soul and essence of my life!
Dear sister Mirza, give him back to me.
Oh, rather take my life than take my love,
And leave me here to linger on, alone!
Mirza.
Fear not, dear Zeolide, I love him well,
But I will never see his face again!
Zeo.
Promise me this—swear to renounce his love!
Mirza.
As there's a shining sun in heaven I swear!
See, I am brave, and I will fight my love
As I have fought ere this. Take courage, dear;
I'll leave this place to-night, and Philamir
Shall ne'er set eyes upon my face again.
There, go—I'll tell him this. He's coming now—
Go, dry your eyes—he should not see them so.
Come back again when they are at their best.
[Exit Zeolide.
Enter Philamir.
Phil.
Mirza—I have some words to say to you—
The diary you lost to-day?
Miraz
(eagerly).
Well, sir,
And have you found it?
Phil.
Mirza, I have found
A portion of it—one loose leaf—behold! (Producing page.)
Mirza.
And you have read it, Philamir?
Phil.
(guilty).
I have!
Mirza.
Oh, shame upon you—shame upon you, sir!
You gave your knightly word—you are forsworn!
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But, Mirza, hear me out, ere you condemn.
I saw a paper tossed before the wind
And little dreaming 'twas your diary,
I picked it up. I knew not what it was
Till I began to read it. Then I knew,
And knowing so much, burnt to know still more!
Mirza.
But when you knew it held my secret thoughts,
You read no further?
Phil.
(abashed).
Mirza, I read on!
Mirza.
Lost! lost! Give me that leaf, Prince Philamir;
You have deceived me, sir—I trusted you.
Phil.
But, Mirza, where's the knight who would have stopped
When of himself he read such words as these?—
(Reads)
“I still love Philamir, but I must strive
To battle with my love. Oh, give me grace
To fight this fight.”
Mirza.
I charge you read no more!
Phil.
“By day his every look—his every word—
Renews some mem'ry that should be long dead;
By night the phantom of my loved one's face
Burns in my eyes and robs me of my rest!”
Mirza.
My secret has gone forth. I strove to keep
That love as silent as my silent heart;
But it was not to be. You now know all!
Yet no—not all!
Phil.
Then, Mirza, tell me all.
Speak openly—hide nothing from me now.
Mirza.
I will speak openly. I love you, sir
And, loving you, I leave the Court to-night,
That I may never see your face again.
Phil.
Recall those words!—we will not—must not part!
(He detains her.)
Enter Zeolide, unobserved.
Mirza.
Release me, Philamir, and let me go!
I love you! Let me hide myself away.
I love you! Leave me with myself alone.
I love you! Show me gratitude for this,
And leave me free to sanctify my vow,
For I have sworn to see your face no more!
Phil.
To whom have you sworn this?
Mirza.
To Zeolide,
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Phil.
I never loved her, Mirza—who is she,
That she should come between me and my love?
She loves me not, and I have done with her.
Mirza.
Oh, this will kill her, sir!
Zeo.
No—Mirza—no!
It will not kill me. I can bear this blow.
(Coming forward.)
Prince Philamir, we two have been betrothed—
Your word is plighted—well, I set you free.
Mirza, you swore to leave Prince Philamir—
Your word is plighted—well, I set you free.
(She takes Mirza's hand and places it in Philamir's.)
Oh, Philamir—this is indeed the end!
Be true to her—such sacred love as hers
Should purify its object—oh, be true!
I'm but a chapter in your book of life,
I who had thought to be the book itself!
The chapter's ended, and to Zeolide
The book is closed for ever! Philamir,
When you are tempted to do Mirza wrong,
Turn to that chapter—read it through and through—
And let the tale of all that I have borne
Warn you from fresh inconstancy; my grief
May thus be Mirza's safeguard to the end.
Mirza—my sister—he will love you well—
Here, in the home of truth, he tells you so.
May you be happy in his new-born love,
May he be worthy of such love as yours—
(To Philamir.)
Speak not, but let me go.
(Kisses Mirza's forehead.)
Farewell—farewell!
[Exit Zeolide, weeping—Philamir and Mirza stand for a moment gazing at each other—then they fall into each other's arms.
Phil.
Mirza, my own! At last—at last my own!
Mirza.
Oh, Philamir! I am so cruelly racked
By sentiments I cannot reconcile;
I know not whether this is joy or grief!
True, when I think of Philamir, the air
Seems charged with music, and the earth I tread
All flowers. When I remember Zeolide
I could go mad with sorrow!
Phil.
Then, my love,
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Mirza.
Ah, Philamir,
You speak as men speak of a worn-out love.
You only know one kind of love, you men!
My love for Zeolide is otherwise,
Unselfish, generous, a sister's love.
Yet have I stolen from her gentle heart
That which in all the world she loved the best!
Phil.
You are too sensitive. Say rather, she
Hath freely given that she prizes least.
Mirza.
Oh, Philamir, indeed you do her wrong,
And may perchance wrong me, as you wronged her.
Phil.
(rising).
Impossible! For if the words I breathe
Were dashed with any mockery of love,
I should, against my will, confess it now.
Mirza, I love you! These are idle words
When spoken in the unenchanted world,
But, spoken here, they bear significance
That rivals in its worth a life-long test!
Let us exchange some trinket which shall serve
As evidence of this our solemn troth.
Here is my pledge. (Giving a ring.)
Mirza.
My love, what can I give?
I have no trinkets—I am very poor!
Phil.
A handkerchief—a glove—no matter what!
(She feels in pocket and takes out handkerchief—the crystal box falls out with it—he picks it up and retains it.)
This crystal box—nay, give it me, 'twill serve
To chronicle—
Mirza
(hastily).
No, no, Prince Philamir!
Not that—not that! it is a talisman!
Phil.
Then I will steal it as I stole your heart,
And I will keep it while I keep that heart.
Mirza.
Give me that box, or I must own the truth—
That I am miserably false in all!
(Throwing herself at his feet.)
That my morality is all assumed!
That I am mean, and base, and treacherous!
A shameless schemer! heartless—impudent!
Give me that box, or I must own that I
Abstracted it from Phanor's cabinet,
And substituted one that I possessed
Exactly like it. I must own to you
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A hypocrite—a traitress to my friend—
All this, and more, I must admit, if you
Retain that talisman! Oh, give it me,
And let this locket testify our love!
The King! The King! The King! I am undone!
[Exit Mirza hastily.
Phil.
Gone, gone!—and Philamir, who thought he knew
The ways of women well, had still to learn
That in one woman's body there is place
For such a goodly show of purity,
And such unequalled treachery of heart!
Oh, Zeolide, for how much infamy
Have I rejected thine unequalled love?
Enter Phanor with Chrysal and Zoram.
Phan.
Congratulate me, I'm half mad with joy;
Azèma comes to tell me that she found
The Queen and Gélanor together here—
Alone—at night!
Phil.
Well, sir, and what of that?
Phan.
Nothing at all, my boy! Why, that's the joke.
Old Gélanor has dandled Altemire
Upon his aged knee five hundred times!
Phil.
What—lately?
Phan.
No! I won't commit myself
By telling you how many years ago,
But long before her majesty was weaned.
Phil.
(shrugging his shoulders).
I see no reason to condole with you,
Because her majesty and Gélanor
Were here together—neither do I see
Why you should be congratulated, sir!
Phan.
You're very dull! The Queen has just found out
That I had an appointment in this grove
To meet Azèma—don't you understand?
I can retort and take indignant ground.
What was she doing here with Gélanor?
You'll see! (Sees box.)
Hallo! what's that?
Phil.
A talisman.
It fell from Mirza's pocket as you came.
Phan.
The deuce it did! Allow me; this is mine!
(Taking it.)
Phil.
I know: she stole it from your cabinet;
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Phan.
Confound her impudence!
Phil.
Oh, I have been deceived!
Phan.
And so have I!
Most seriously deceived! Hush, here's the Queen,
And with that gay deceiver, Gélanor!
The talisman has turned up just in time.
Enter Altemire and Gélanor, with Azèma and Mirza.
So, madam, I've detected you!
Altem.
(indignantly).
How, sir?
Phan.
Never mind how—and you too, Gélanor.
Oh, I'm ashamed of you! (Crossing to Gélanor.)
Gélan.
Your majesty,
I don't know what you mean.
Phan.
You bad old man!
(Affecting to weep)
You whom I trusted so! (Aside.)
Don't be alarmed,
I'm not in earnest. (Aloud.)
Oh, it's infamous!
Why, let me see—how old are you?
Gélan.
My lord,
If you imply—
Phan.
Imply! (Aside.)
Don't be a fool,
I'm not in earnest; I have found the box!
(Aloud.)
Explain this conduct!
Altem.
Sir, is this a joke?
Phan.
Well, not exactly, madam; you've been found
Philandering at night with Gélanor.
Being within the influence of these walls,
You're bound to speak the truth. If you can say
Your meeting's innocent, I'm satisfied.
Altem.
As innocent as truth itself, I swear.
Phan.
I'm satisfied! Your hand—
Altem.
Nay, hear me first.
I charge you with appointing here to meet
Azèma; you are bound to tell the truth,
Being within the influence of these walls.
If you can unreservedly deny
This charge, I also shall be satisfied.
Phan.
Emphatically I deny the charge!
Altem.
(astounded).
You do?
Phan.
I do! (Piously.)
This is the Home of Truth.
And all are subject to its influence.
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(puzzled).
But you admitted it when you confessed
Your gallantries to me this afternoon!
Phan.
Oh, you've been dreaming!
Altem.
Do I understand
That you deny that you confessed all this?
Phan.
Distinctly! (Piously.)
This is the Abode of Truth.
Altem.
I have been dreaming! Phanor, there's my hand.
I've deeply wronged you.
Phan.
Altemire, you have!
But say no more—we are good friends again.
Altem.
Then you forgive me?
Phan.
Heartily I do!
Altem.
I'll never be a jealous fool again.
Phan.
I'm very glad indeed to hear you say so.
Enter Zeolide—Altemire retires with Gélanor and converses with Zeolide—Philamir, seeing Zeolide, comes down abashed.
Phan.
(to Philamir).
Well, and what's wrong with you?
Phil.
I've been a fool,
A madman, and a true-born idiot!
Phan.
By the mysterious influence of this place,
I can believe it!
Phil.
I have given up
The noblest woman that I ever knew,
For that abominable cockatrice
Who quitted me as you arrived.
Phan.
Well! well!
You may regain her yet.
Phil.
Impossible!
Phan.
Oh, not at all! there—take this talisman.
(Zeolide overhears this speech.)
With this you're proof against the influence
That rules this place; you can declare to her
That you adore the very ground she walks,
And wallow in the foolish flummery
That used to make you so ridiculous.
She will believe it all—there, take it, boy,
And make good use of it to win her back.
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I'll use it, Phanor, and I'll use it well!
Zeo.
(aside).
He takes the box. And thus he thinks to win
The hand of his forsaken Zeolide!
Oh, Philamir, this is contemptible.
I think I could have loved you, but for this!
Phil.
Dear Zeolide, I hold a talisman,
Enabling me to counteract the charm
That reigns within these walls. With this in hand
I can tell truth or falsehood as I please,
And you must needs believe me. Zeolide,
I've learned to set a value on your love
Transcending all the riches of the earth;
Yet would I rather live without that love—
A life of self-reproach without that love—
Repentant and alone without that love—
Than stoop to gain it by such treachery.
Here is the talisman. (Zeolide takes it.)
No longer armed
Against the sacred influence of Truth,
I tell you of my sorrow and my love
With all the warmth of a repentant heart!
(He presses Zeolide to his heart and kisses her.)
Altem.
(indignantly).
Give me that talisman! (Takes it.)
I have a clue
To much that was a mystery: Behold!
(She breaks it—a loud crash—all come forward.)
Enter Aristæus.
Gelan.
You know not what you've done! The castle's charm
Is bound up with that mystic talisman!
Now that the box is broken, these fair walls
Are disenchanted!
Phan.
P'raps it's quite as well.
Now that the place has lost its influence
We shall get on much better. We have learnt
A lesson that should last us till we die—
We've learnt how matrimonial constancy
By causeless jealousy is sometimes tried—
Looking reproachfully at Altemire.)
Altem.
How jealousy is sometimes justified—
(Looking reproachfully at Phanor.)
221
How Zoram—music's vaunted pioneer—
Don't even know his notes—and has no ear!
Even his cant expressions are the wrong ones!
Zor.
I have an ear!
Phan.
(shaking his hand).
You have—two very long ones!
Palmis.
You've learnt to doubt the love that those profess,
Who by such love gain temporal success—
(Looking angrily at Chrysal.)
Zor.
That surly misanthropes, with venom tainted—
Arist.
Are often not as black as they are painted!
Azèma.
To doubt all maids who of their virtue boast:
That they're the worst who moralize the most!
(Looking at Mirza.)
Mirza.
That blushes, though they're most becoming, yet
Proclaim, too oft, the commonplace coquette!
(Looking at Azèma.)
I can declare, with pardonable pride,
I never blush!
Azèma.
You couldn't if you tried!
Phil.
Under the influence that lately reigned
Within these walls I breathed my love unfeigned;
Now that that power no longer reigns above,
I ratify the accents of my love.
Forgive me, Zeolide, my life, my bride!
Zeo.
(very demurely).
I love you, Philamir—be satisfied!
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