Ros. Pray retire. As scanty water feeds devouring flamesYour presence will but heat us more. Coun. As ye are men, forbear! have ye no pity? Dur. Thanks to your kind example, lady, none. Ros. Pity? Come on, sir, it but wounds her pride, That we should die of ought but broken hearts. Coun. Oh heavens! can nothing move you? Dur. One thing— Coun. Name it! Ros. That on this spot you now at once declare Which of us is more worthy of your love. Dur. That is not all, fair lady; you must swear, E'er sunset to become the bride of him For whom your heart pronounces. Coun. Never! Ros. Then by all things most sacred, this spot shall be Coun. Oh stop, for mercy! hard men! I teach my lips th' involuntary tale ; Ros. This, by my sword, Which nothing else can sheath, I swear! Coun. And you, sir? Dur. I swear. (They sheath their swords.) Coun. Let me intreat you yet forego your purpose. (They half draw their swords.) Well-if I must. --Oh what a task is mine, When that which pleases most, will most offend, And, like a double-breathing wind, I bring Mildew and health at once! Dur. Ros. We're on the rack! Coun. To the point, lady! Both valiant men you are, And honourable woers-both of minds So richly gifted with rare qualities, That, were my eye now searching for a friend, By an uneven balance of its own, The qualities of men—a word, a look, Will turn the trembling beam. Then let my choice Speak woman's folly, and not your deserts. I do esteem you both, yea, both as men man! (To DURAZZO.) Rejoice that you have lost a worthless prize, And so escaped repentance.-Come, Rosano. Ros. Your hand, sir! in this firm and faithful grasp Of friendship, be our enmities forgot Dur. Buried for ever, sir! Ros. And when you woo Another lady, may your wishes prosper As mine do now. Dur. I thank ye, sir, I thank you! Her heart untenanted, and her fair self As bountiful to your aspiring hopes, May you find As I have been ungracious.-Come, Rosano! [Exeunt COUNTESS and ROSANO. DURAZZO, solus. A hopeful end to a long three years wooing, With what a smother'd gust she press'd his hand! And now-Damnation! that shall never be : To thee, but e'er thou bring'st her to the port, Tempests may rise, and roaring seas o'erwhelm thee. Scene 4th.-BALTHAZAR'S House. BALTHAZAR and LEAH his Daughter. [Exit. Bal. Poh, poh! I tell you, you're a silly girl, you must think no more of him. Leah. But I cannot help thinking of him, sir. Bal. Marry a Christian? You must not dream of such a thing! a beggarly fisherman! Leah. But I can't dream of any thing else. Bal. Yesh, but dreams you know go by contraries. Leah. Well, I'm glad of that, for I dreamt last night that you would never give your consent. Bal. Then you dreamt true, for I will never give my consent. Don't you know he's a Christian. Leah. What then, sir? Love is of all religions. AIR 2d.* I. I care not if Christian or Jew, He has faith in the vow which I swore, *This song was omitted in the representation. |