And every gentle heart, That burns with true desire, 1150 Is lit from eyes that mirror part Of that celestial fire. _NICHOLAS_ (_heard entering unseen_). Very sweet! _R._ (_aside_). Ha! have I an audience after all? _N._ Ricardo, I believe. _R._ St Nicholas, is’t not? _N._ Your lute, sir, as Amphion drew the trees Up by the roots, hath drawn me from my bed. _R._ Would I could make the lyrical apology With which, I doubt not, he replanted them. _N._ Nay, no apology. And, to say truth, ’Twas not so much your music as my wish 1160 To catch the singer brought me out. I thought ’Twas Frederick’s servant. He should not forget it If I should catch him breaking rules. _R._ I hope I break no rules. _N._ You see you are very near The ladies’windows. _R._ True: of course I must be. _N._ And serenading is among the offences Punished with diet. _R._ Being a stranger, sir, I cannot be suspected of the knowledge That might incriminate me. You, no doubt, Are more familiar. _N._ Yes, there is one window 1170 Which I should know: and as you chance to stand Just underneath it, I will not dissemble That when I saw you first I felt the pangs Of maddening jealousy. To find ’twas you Relieved me entirely. _R._ Nay then, truly, sir, I owe you apology: for if your mistress Should have mistook my falala for yours, The poor performance may have hurt your credit. _N._ Nay, sir, I sing so seldom, I only fear I cannot be suspected. If I might 1180 I’d ask you sing again. There’s nought affects me Like music in the moonlight. _R._ I would oblige you But for the rules you speak of. Were’t not better We should go in? ’tis midnight. _N._ Oh, I could sit And sigh beneath that window all the night. Is there not wondrous softness in the thought, That she one loves is sleeping? _R._ I will leave you To your love thoughts. _N._ Nay, nay, no reason, sir. I have full leisure for sweet meditation. I will go in with you. ’Tis a rich comfort 1190 To dream of the belovèd. [_Exeunt._ SCENE · 2 _On the terrace, in front of the house. Enter DIANA and RICARDO. FLORA attending Diana._ _DIANA._ What time is’t, sir? _RICARDO._ I heard the bells of the town Strike ten but now. _D._ Ah! you can hear the bells, Because they are strange to you. I note them most The days they miss.... And so ’tis only ten.... I hope you are comfortable here, Ricardo: Gregory took care of you? The clocks for example Did not disturb your rest?