_Bal_. Indeed I hear not. _Pol_. Not hear it!--listen--now--listen!--the faintest sound And yet the sweetest that ear ever heard! A lady's voice!--and sorrow in the tone! Baldazzar, it oppresses me like a spell! Again!--again!--how solemnly it falls Into my heart of hearts! that eloquent voice Surely I never heard--yet it were well Had I _but_ heard it with its thrilling tones In earlier days! _Bal_. I myself hear it now. Be still!--the voice, if I mistake not greatly, Proceeds from younder lattice--which you may see Very plainly through the window--it belongs, Does it not? unto this palace of the Duke. The singer is undoubtedly beneath The roof of his Excellency--and perhaps Is even that Alessandra of whom he spoke As the betrothed of Castiglione, His son and heir. _Pol_. Be still!--it comes again! _Voice_ (_very faintly_). "And is thy heart so strong [1] As for to leave me thus, That have loved thee so long, In wealth and woe among? And is thy heart so strong As for to leave me thus? Say nay! say nay!" _Bal_. The song is English, and I oft have heard it In merry England--never so plaintively-- Hist! hist! it comes again! _Voice (more loudly_). "Is it so strong As for to leave me thus, That have loved thee so long, In wealth and woe among? And is thy heart so strong As for to leave me thus? Say nay! say nay!" _Bal_. 'Tis hushed and all is still! _Pol_. All _is not_ still. _Bal_. Let us go down. _Pol_. Go down, Baldazzar, go! _Bal_. The hour is growing late--the Duke awaits us,-- Thy presence is expected in the hall Below. What ails thee, Earl Politian? _Voice_ (_distinctly_). "Who have loved thee so long, In wealth and woe among, And is thy heart so strong? Say nay! say nay!" _Bal_. Let us descend!--'tis time. Politian, give These fancies to the wind. Remember, pray, Your bearing lately savored much of rudeness Unto the Duke. Arouse thee! and remember!