>Act
II
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Dialogue following No. 12
Enter SELENE from bower.
| Fleta. (aside). | ||
| At last she comes. (To
SELENE). We
are relieved to find That after such a lengthy vigil thou Canst tear thyself away from Ethais! |
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| Selene. | Yes, he is sleeping now, but all day
long He tossed and raved in wild delirium, Shouting for arms, and, as it seemed to me, Fighting his fight with Phyllon o'er again. I watched him through the long and troubled hours, Fanning the fever from his throbbing brow Till he awoke. At first he gazed on me In silent wonderment; then, suddenly, Seizing my hand, he pressed it to his lips And vowed that I had saved him from the grave! Mark that — the grave! I — I had saved his life! He told me that he loved me — loved me well — That I had holy angel-eyes that rained A gentle pity on his stubborn heart — That I was fairer in his worldly eyes Than all the maids on earth or in the clouds! |
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| Zayda. (spitefully). | ||
| Could any words more eloquently show The recklessness of his delirium? |
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| Selene. (surprised). | ||
| Nay, he was conscious then. | ||
| Fleta. (very sweetly). | No doubt he was. | |
| But, sister, in thy triumph recollect He scarce had seen us. |
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| Zayda. | Thou hast wisely done | |
| To keep us out of sight. Cage
thou thy bird Or he may fly to fairer homes than thine! |
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| Selene. (amazed). | ||
What mean you, sisters?
Nay, turn not away! |
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| But, lest we should affect his love for thee, We will at once withdraw |
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Page modified 13 August 2011