The Wonder-Working Magician Part 11

CLARIN. The poor gentleman Has a slight rash on his skin, a ticklish glow, And uses sulphur ointment.

MOSCON. Gad! 'tis so.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IX.

THE STREET.

LELIUS and FABIUS.

FABIUS. You return, then, to this street.

LELIUS. Yes; the life that I deplore I return to seek once more Where 'twas lost. Ah! guide my feet, Love, to find it!--

FABIUS. That house there Is Justina's; come away.

LELIUS. Wherefore, when I will to-day Once again my love declare.

And as she, I saw it plain, Trusted some one else at night, 'Tis not strange, in open light, That I try to soothe my pain.

Leave me, go; for it is best That I enter here alone.

My rank in Antioch is known, My father Governor; thus drest In his robe as 'twere, my strong Pa.s.sion listening to no mentor, I Justina's house will enter To protest against my wrong.

[Exeunt.

SCENE X.

A HALL IN THE HOUSE OF LYSANDER.

JUSTINA, and afterwards LELIUS.

JUSTINA. Livia.... But a step! who's there?

[LELIUS enters LELIUS. It is I.

JUSTINA. What novelty, What extreme temerity, Thus, my lord, compels you?...

LELIUS. Spare Your reproaches. Jealous-grown, I can bear that you reprove.

Pardon me, for with my love My respect has also flown.

JUSTINA. Why, at such a perilous cost Have you dared...

LELIUS. Because I'm mad.

JUSTINA. To intrude....

LELIUS. Heart-broken, sad.

JUSTINA. Here....

LELIUS. Because, in truth, I'm lost.

JUSTINA. Nor perceive how scandal views Such an act as now you do 'Gainst....

LELIUS. Be not so moved, for you Little honour now can lose.

JUSTINA. Lelius, spare at least my fame.

LELIUS. Ah, Justina, it were best That this language you addressed Unto him who nightly came Down here from this balcony;-- 'Tis enough for me to show All your lightness that I know, That less coy and cold to me Your pretended honour prove.

If I am disdained, displaced, 'Tis another suits your taste, Not that you your honour love.

JUSTINA. Silence, cease, your words withhold.

Who with insult e'er before Dared to pa.s.s my threshold's door?

Are you then so blind and bold, So audacious, so insane, As my pure light to eclipse, Through the libel of your lips, By chimeras false and vain?-- In my house a man?

LELIUS. 'Tis so.

JUSTINA. From my balcony?

LELIUS. With shame I repeat it.

JUSTINA. O, my fame, O'er us twain your Aegis throw.

SCENE XI.

THE SAME.

The Demon appears at the door which is behind JUSTINA.

DEMON [aside]. For the deep design I handle, For my double plot I come Raging to this simple home, Now to work the greatest scandal Ever seen. Here, brooding o'er him, This wild lover mad with ire, I will fan his jealous fire, I will place myself before him, Catch his eye, and then as fleeing, In invisible gloom array me.

[He affects to come in, and being seen by LELIUS m.u.f.fles himself in his cloak, and re-enters the inner apartment.

JUSTINA. Man, do you come here to slay me?

LELIUS. No, to die.