_Vav._ Thou wilt not leave me? _Flor._ Only for a while; I will return to thee. _Vav._ So, hand in hand We shall grow old, and die, still hand in hand? _Flor._ Yes, ever hand in hand. _Vav._ Oh, gentle Heaven, I have more happiness than I can bear! [_Exit VAVIR._ _Flor._ Poor soul, what shall I say? To tell her now Would be to kill her! [_Pauses irresolute, then exit._ _Enter MOUSTA, watching them._ _Mous._ Oh, ho! young knight! I’m sorry for Vavir! Well, it concerns me not: the girl is fair; And traps are set for her because she’s fair, And she’ll fall into them because she’s fair. Good looks Should pay some penalty--that’s only fair. Better be such as I am, after all; No one sets traps for me. Ha! who comes here? The Lady Hilda, parting from Vavir-- Come forth, my Talisman, the time has come To test thy power. [_Takes veil from behind stone as HILDA enters hurriedly. He winds it about his head._ _Hil._ Oh, Spirit of the Well, I’ve wondrous news! The poor enchanted soul, Till now entombed within the sun-dial, Hath taken human form! Oh, gentle spirit, grant my trembling prayer, If thou hast power to quit thy silver stream And stand in human form before mine eyes, Then by my long and faithful love, I pray That thou wilt suffer me to see thy face! [_MOUSTA hobbles across behind the fountain, and replies as FLORIAN._ _Mous._ Yes, I _can_ take such form, but press me not---- _Hil._ And wherefore not? _Mous._ I dare not show myself Lest all thy love should fade? _Hil._ Ah, have no fear, My love runs with my life. _Mous._ So women say, Who live but once, yet love a dozen times! _Hil._ I am not such as they! _Mous._ I know it well-- _Hil._ Then let me see thy face--but once--but once-- Then thou shalt hie thee to thy well again For ever if thou wilt! _Mous._ That may not be-- Once seen in human form I must remain A man--with more than man’s infirmities. I am no shapely spirit framed to catch A woman’s fancy--I am roughly hewn-- Somewhat uncouth--misshapen, some might say-- Dost thou not fear to look on me? _Hil._ No, no. Take thou thy form, whate’er that form may be! _Mous._ But stay-- Thou hast a serving man--a crumpled wretch-- One-eyed and lame--but passing honest--say That I am such a twisted thing as _he_? What then?