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SCENE IV
A street in Madrid.
ANTONIO
This is the places
BASIL
‘Tis farther.
ANTONIO
This, I know it.
Here’s the square Velasquez. There in his saddle
Imperial Charles watches the silent city
His progeny could not keep. Where the one light
Stands beckoning to us, is Don Mario’s dwelling.
O thou celestial lustre, wast thou kindled
To be her light who is my sun ? If so,
Thou art most happy. For thou dost inherit
The sanctuary of her dear sleep and art
The confidant of those sweet secrecies.
Though thou live for a night, yet is thy short
And noble ministry, more rich and costly,
Than ages of the sun. For thou hast seen,
O blessed, her unveiled and gleaming shoulder
Make her thick-treasured hair more precious. Thou
Hast watched that face upon her heavenly pillow
Slumbering amid its peaceful curls. O more!
For thou perhaps hast laid one brilliant finger
On her white breast mastered with sacred sleep,
And there known Paradise. Therefore thou’rt famous
Above all lights that human hands have kindled.
BASIL
Here’s a whole epic on an ounce of oil
A poor, drowned wick bought from the nearest chandler
And a fly sodden in it.
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ANTONIO
Listen! one comes.
BASIL
Stand back, abide not question.
ANTONIO
They’ll not doubt us.
We are far from the building.
BASIL
Am I mad ?
Do you think I’ll trust a lover ? Why, you could not
Even ask the time but you would say, "Good Sir,
How many minutes to Ismenia ?"
ANTONIO
Well,
Stand back.
BASIL
No need. I see it. ‘Tis the she-guide,
The feminine Mercury, the tongue, the woman.
Enter Brigida.
Hark to the bell now.
BRIGIDA
You, my lord Antonio?
This way, my lord.
ANTONIO
Which way you will. I know
You are my guide to heaven.
BRIGIDA
O you have come?
I take this kindly of you, Señor. Tell me,
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Were you not hiding when I came up to you?
What was it. Sir ? A constable or perhaps
A creditor ? For to be dashed by a weak girl
I know you are too bold. What did you say?
I did not hear you. We are there, my lord.
Now quietly, if you love her, your sweet lady.
(To Basil)
Can you be silent, Senor ? We are lost else.
Page – 864
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