_Politian_. This weakness grows upon me. I am fain And much I fear me ill--it will not do To die ere I have lived!--Stay--stay thy hand, O Azrael, yet awhile!--Prince of the Powers Of Darkness and the Tomb, oh, pity me! Oh, pity me! let me not perish now, In the budding of my Paradisal Hope! Give me to live yet--yet a little while: 'Tis I who pray for life--I who so late Demanded but to die!--What sayeth the Count? _Enter Baldazzar_. _Baldazzar_. That, knowing no cause of quarrel or of feud Between the Earl Politian and himself, He doth decline your cartel. _Pol_. _What_ didst thou say? What answer was it you brought me, good Baldazzar? With what excessive fragrance the zephyr comes Laden from yonder bowers!--a fairer day, Or one more worthy Italy, methinks No mortal eyes have seen!--_what_ said the Count? _Bal_. That he, Castiglione, not being aware Of any feud existing, or any cause Of quarrel between your lordship and himself, Cannot accept the challenge. _Pol_. It is most true-- All this is very true. When saw you, sir, When saw you now, Baldazzar, in the frigid Ungenial Britain which we left so lately, A heaven so calm as this--so utterly free From the evil taint of clouds?--and he did _say_? _Bal_. No more, my lord, than I have told you: The Count Castiglione will not fight. Having no cause for quarrel. _Pol_. Now this is true-- All very true. Thou art my friend, Baldazzar, And I have not forgotten it--thou'lt do me A piece of service: wilt thou go back and say Unto this man, that I, the Earl of Leicester, Hold him a villain?--thus much, I pr'ythee, say Unto the Count--it is exceeding just He should have cause for quarrel. _Bal_. My lord!--my friend!-- _Pol_. (_aside_). 'Tis he--he comes himself! (_aloud_.) Thou reasonest well. I know what thou wouldst say--not send the message-- Well!--I will think of it--I will not send it. Now pr'ythee, leave me--hither doth come a person With whom affairs of a most private nature I would adjust. _Bal_. I go--to-morrow we meet, Do we not?--at the Vatican. _Pol_. At the Vatican. (_Exit Bal_.) _Enter Castiglione_.