_Pol_. Remember? I do. Lead on! I _do_ remember. (_going_). Let us descend. Believe me I would give, Freely would give the broad lands of my earldom To look upon the face hidden by yon lattice-- "To gaze upon that veiled face, and hear Once more that silent tongue." _Bal_. Let me beg you, sir, Descend with me--the Duke may be offended. Let us go down, I pray you. _Voice (loudly_). _Say nay_!--_say nay_! _Pol_. (_aside_). 'Tis strange!--'tis very strange--methought the voice Chimed in with my desires and bade me stay! (_Approaching the window_) Sweet voice! I heed thee, and will surely stay. Now be this fancy, by heaven, or be it Fate, Still will I not descend. Baldazzar, make Apology unto the Duke for me; I go not down to-night. _Bal_. Your lordship's pleasure Shall be attended to. Good-night, Politian. _Pol_. Good-night, my friend, good-night. IV. The Gardens of a Palace--Moonlight. LALAGE and POLITIAN. _Lalage_. And dost thou speak of love To _me_, Politian?--dost thou speak of love To Lalage?--ah woe--ah woe is me! This mockery is most cruel--most cruel indeed! _Politian_. Weep not! oh, sob not thus!--thy bitter tears Will madden me. Oh, mourn not, Lalage-- Be comforted! I know--I know it all, And _still_ I speak of love. Look at me, brightest, And beautiful Lalage!--turn here thine eyes! Thou askest me if I could speak of love, Knowing what I know, and seeing what I have seen Thou askest me that--and thus I answer thee-- Thus on my bended knee I answer thee. (_kneeling_.) Sweet Lalage, _I love thee_--_love thee_--_love thee_; Thro' good and ill--thro' weal and woe, _I love thee_. Not mother, with her first-born on her knee, Thrills with intenser love than I for thee. Not on God's altar, in any time or clime, Burned there a holier fire than burneth now Within my spirit for _thee_. And do I love? (_arising_.) Even for thy woes I love thee--even for thy woes-- Thy beauty and thy woes.