Chapter 5

_Amel._ [_Alone_] And are ye all then vanished, sylphs of bliss? All fled in air, and not one trace, one shadow Left of my bright day-visions? Is not rather All this some fearful dream?----Caesario false! I _know_ 'tis so, yet scarce can _think_ 'tis so! Gods! when last night, after long absence meeting, What looks!--what joy!--and was then all deceit? Did he but mock me, when with tears of rapture He bathed my hand; knelt; sighed; as had his voice By pleasure been o'erwhelmed, a while was silent; But soon came words, sweet as those most sweet kisses Which grateful Venus gave the swain whose care Brought back her truant doves!----So sweet, so sweet---- Distrust, herself, must have believed those words. Oh! and was all but feigned?

_Enter_ Caesario _and_ Estella.

_Estella._ Wait here awhile; I'll try to sooth her.

_Caesa._ My best friend!

_Estel._ Withdraw [Caesario _retires_. Still bathed in tears?

_Amel._ [_Throwing herself on her bosom._] Oh! my soul's sick, Estella. My heart is broken, broken!

_Estel._ Nay, be calm! I bring you comfort.

_Amel._ How?

_Estel._ Caesario sues For one short moment's audience.

_Amel._ I'll not see him.

_Estel._ Dear princess!

_Amel._ Never! saw I not Ottilia Decked with my gift? did I not hear.----Shame! shame! Go, go, Estella, see him! say, and firmly, We meet no more! say, that the veil is rent! Say, that I know him wavering, vain, ungrateful, Flattering and false! and having said this, add, False as he is, he's my soul's tyrant still!

_Caesa._ [_Throwing himself at her feet_] Accents of Heaven!--my life! my love!

_Amel._ Caesario? Farewell forever!

_Caesa._ Nay you must not leave me. Hear me but speak.----

_Amel._ Release me!

_Caesa._ But one word.--

_Amel._ I'll not be held!--Your pardon. I forgot sir! I thought myself still mistress of my actions! Still princess of Castile!--Now I remember I'm that despised, unhappy thing, your wife! Sir, I obey!--Your pleasure!

_Caesa._ Oh! how lovely Those eyes can make e'en scorn! yet calm their lightnings-- Once more let love.--

_Amel._ Never--the hours are past When I believed thee all my fond heart wished; Thought thee the best, the kindest, truest----thought thee---- Oh! Heaven! no Eastern tale portrays the palace Of fay, or wizard (where in bright confusion Blaze gold and gems) so glorious fair, as seemed, Tricked in the rainbow-colours of my fancy, Caesario's form this morn:----Too late I know thee; The spell is broke; and where an Houri smiled, Now scowls a fiend. Oh! thus benighted pilgrims Admire the glow-worm's light, while gloom prevails But find that seeming lamp of fiery lustre A poor dark worthless worm, when viewed in sunshine. Away, and seek Ottilia.

_Caesa._ Oh! my princess, Deep as thy anger wounds my heart, more deeply I grieve to think, how thine will bleed at finding This anger undeserved.

_Amel._ Oh! that it were _so_, But no! I saw my scarf----that very scarf---- My own hands wrought it.----Many a midnight lamp, While thou wert at the wars, in toil I wasted, And made it my sole joy to toil for thee, There was no thread I had not blest! no flower I had not kist a thousand times, and murmured With every kiss a prayer for thy return, And yet thou gav'st this sacred work to buy A wanton's favours.----

_Caesa._ Say, to buy her silence?

_Amel._ Her silence?

_Caesa._ As this morn I left the palace, She marked my flight.

_Amel._ Just heaven!

_Caesa._ Though unrequited, Her love has long been mine.--She raved; she threatened; She would have vengeance; she would rouse the guards; Alarm the king.----

_Amel._ [_Shuddering._] My father!

_Caesa._ But her silence Bought by that scarf.--

_Amel._ Caesario, could I trust thee? Were this tale true, could I but think.--

_Caesa._ I'll swear.

_Amel._ No! at the altar thou hast sworn already Mine were thy hand and heart, and mine forever: If thou canst break this oath, none else will bind thee---- Yet did I wrong thee? art thou true? I fain Would think thee so.----But this fond heart, my husband, Is such a weak sad thing and where it loves, Loves so devoutly----Spare me, dear Caesario, Such fears in future; let no word, no thought, Cloud thy pure faith, for so my soul dotes on thee, But to suspect thee racks each nerve, and almost Drives my brain mad,--Oh! could'st thou know, Caesario, How painful 'tis for one who loves like me, To _cease_ to love----Cease, said I?----No, my heart Ceased to esteem, but never ceased to love thee.

[_Falling on his neck._]

_Caesa._ My soul! my Amelrosa,--Now all planets Rain plagues upon my perjured head, if e'er I break the vow, which here I breathe; this heart, Filled but with thee, and formed but to adore thee, Is thine, my love, thine now, and thine forever!

_Amel._ Hark!--steps approach----Estella?

_Estel._ [_who has retired, advances hastily._] Haste, Caesario, You must away! the king's returned, I see His train now loitering near the garden-gate, Fly by the private postern.

_Caesa._ Straight I'll follow. [_Exit_ Estella. And must I leave thee, leave thee for so long too? The king's affairs now call me far from Burgos, And ere we meet again twelve hours must pass.

_Amel._ Ah! me, to love, an age.

_Caesa._ Yet should I leave thee With calmer soul, nor feel such pain in absence, Were I but sure one wish----

_Amel._ [_Eagerly._] Oh! name it, name it, But ask me nothing light in action: ask me Something strange, hard, and painful: Something, such As none would dare to do but one who loves. Name, name this blessed wish.

_Caesa._'Tis this--From midnight, Till my return, avoid the royal tower.

_Amel._ I promise; yet what reason----

_Caesa._ When we meet Thou shalt know all; till then forgive my silence: Seal with a kiss thy promise, then farewell.

[_Here_ Alfonso _advances in silence; his eyes are fixed on his daughter, his hands are folded, and his whole appearance expresses the utmost dejection._]

_Amel._ Farewell, since it must be farewell----But mark, See not Ottilia ere you go.

_Caesa._ I will not.

_Amel._ And when the bell's deep tongue announces midnight, Breathe thou my name, for at that hour, my love, I'll think on thee.--That hour! Oh, fool! as if Hours could be found in which I think not on thee. And must thou go?--Nay, if thou must, away, Or I shall bid thee stay, and stay forever. Farewell my husband!

_Caesa._ My soul's joy, farewell!

_Amel._ Oh! pain of parting!

[_Turning round, her eye rests on_ Alfonso. _She starts, and remains as petrified with terror. After a pause, he passes her in silence; but, on his reaching the door, she rushes towards him, her hands clasped in supplication._]

Father!

[Alfonso _motions to forbid her following, and goes off_.]

_Amel._ Oh! I'm lost! [_She falls senseless on the ground._]

_End of Act II._