_Cos. (abstractedly_). Sweet, gentle Lalage! _Aless_. Heard I aright? I speak to him--he speaks of Lalage? Sir Count! (_places her hand on his shoulder_) what art thou dreaming? He's not well! What ails thee, sir? _Cas.(starting_). Cousin! fair cousin!--madam! I crave thy pardon--indeed I am not well-- Your hand from off my shoulder, if you please. This air is most oppressive!--Madam--the Duke! _Enter Di Broglio_. _Di Broglio_. My son, I've news for thee!--hey! --what's the matter? (_observing Alessandra_). I' the pouts? Kiss her, Castiglione! kiss her, You dog! and make it up, I say, this minute! I've news for you both. Politian is expected Hourly in Rome--Politian, Earl of Leicester! We'll have him at the wedding. 'Tis his first visit To the imperial city. _Aless_. What! Politian Of Britain, Earl of Leicester? _Di Brog_. The same, my love. We'll have him at the wedding. A man quite young In years, but gray in fame. I have not seen him, But Rumor speaks of him as of a prodigy Pre-eminent in arts, and arms, and wealth, And high descent. We'll have him at the wedding. _Aless_. I have heard much of this Politian. Gay, volatile and giddy--is he not, And little given to thinking? _Di Brog_. Far from it, love. No branch, they say, of all philosophy So deep abstruse he has not mastered it. Learned as few are learned. _Aless_. 'Tis very strange! I have known men have seen Politian And sought his company. They speak of him As of one who entered madly into life, Drinking the cup of pleasure to the dregs. _Cas_. Ridiculous! Now _I_ have seen Politian And know him well--nor learned nor mirthful he. He is a dreamer, and shut out From common passions. _Di Brog_. Children, we disagree. Let us go forth and taste the fragrant air Of the garden. Did I dream, or did I hear Politian was a _melancholy_ man? (_Exeunt._) II. ROME.--A Lady's Apartment, with a window open and looking into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning, reading at a table on which lie some books and a hand-mirror. In the background JACINTA (a servant maid) leans carelessly upon a chair. _Lalage_. Jacinta! is it thou? _Jacinta (pertly_). Yes, ma'am, I'm here.