ROME.-A lady's apartment, with a window open, and looking into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning, reading at a table, on which lies some books and a hand-mirror. In the background, JACINTA (a servant-maid) leaus carelessly upon a chair. Lal. Jacinta! is it thou? Jac. (pertly) Yes, ma'am, I'm here. Lal. I did not know, Jacinta, you were in waiting. Sit down:-let not my presence trouble you. 'Tis time. [Facinta seats herself in a side-long manner upon the chair, resting her elbows upon the back, and regarding her mistress with a contemptuous look. Lalage continues to read. Lal. "It in another climate, so he said, Bore a bright golden flower, but not i' this soil. [Pauses, turns over some leaves, and resumes. No lingering winters there, nor snow nor shower; Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind." To what my fevered soul doth dream of heaven! Jacinta ! [Jacinta returns no answer, and Lalage presently resumes. Again!-a similar tale Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea. Thus speaketh one Ferdinand, in the words of the play, "She died full young❞—one Bossola answers him— "I think not so; her infelicity Seemed to have years too many." Ah, luckless lady !— Jacinta! (Still no answer.) Here's a far sterner story, But like-O, very like in its despair, Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily A thousand hearts-losing at length her own. With gentle names-Eiros and Charmion! Rainbow and Dove!-Jacinta! Jac. (pettishly) Madam, what is it? Lal. Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind As go down in the library, and bring me For the wounded spirit in Gilead, it is there: Re-enter JACINTA, and throws a volume on the table. Lal. (astonished) What didst thou say, Jacinta? To grieve thee or to vex thee?—I am sorry; For thou hast served me long, and ever been [Resumes her reading. Jac. I can't believe She has any more jewels; no, no; she gave me all. (Aside.) Lal. What didst thou say, Jacinta? think me, Now, I be Thou hast not spoken lately of thy wedding. Jac. Is there no further aid? That's meant for me. (Aside.)-I'm sure, madam, you need not Be always throwing those jewels in my teeth. Lal. Jewels, Jacinta! Now, indeed, Jacinta, I thought not of the jewels. Jac. O, perhaps not! But then I might have sworn it. After all, There's Ugo says the ring is only paste, For he's sure the Count Castiglione never Would have given a real diamond to such as you: it. [Exit. [Lalage bursts into tears, and leans her head upon the table; after a short pause raises it. Lal. Poor Lalage !—and is it come to this? Thy servant-maid!—but courage !—'tis but a viper, Whom thou hast cherished to sting thee to the soul. [Taking up the mirror. Ha! here at least's a friend-too much a friend For ruined maid. Fair mirror and true!-thou liest not; Thou hast no end to gain, no heart to break; Castiglione lied, who said he loved: Thou true, he false false !-false ! [While she speaks, a Monk enters her apartment, and approaches unobserved. Monk. Refuge thou hast, Sweet daughter, in heaven. Think of eternal things; Give up thy soul to penitence, and pray. Lal. (arising hurriedly) I cannot pray. My soul is The frightful sounds of merriment below Thy presence grieves me-go; thy priestly raiment |