_Cas_. The Earl of Leicester here! _Pol_. I _am_ the Earl of Leicester, and thou seest, Dost thou not, that I am here? _Cas_. My lord, some strange, Some singular mistake--misunderstanding-- Hath without doubt arisen: thou hast been urged Thereby, in heat of anger, to address Some words most unaccountable, in writing, To me, Castiglione; the bearer being Baldazzar, Duke of Surrey. I am aware Of nothing which might warrant thee in this thing, Having given thee no offence. Ha!--am I right? 'Twas a mistake?--undoubtedly--we all Do err at times. _Pol_. Draw, villain, and prate no more! _Cas_. Ha!--draw?--and villain? have at thee then at once, Proud Earl! (_Draws._) _Pol_. (_drawing_.) Thus to the expiatory tomb, Untimely sepulchre, I do devote thee In the name of Lalage! _Cas_. (_letting fall his sword and recoiling to the extremity of the stage_.) Of Lalage! Hold off--thy sacred hand!--avaunt, I say! Avaunt--I will not fight thee--indeed I dare not. _Pol_. Thou wilt not fight with me didst say, Sir Count? Shall I be baffled thus?--now this is well; Didst say thou _darest_ not? Ha! _Cas_. I dare not--dare not-- Hold off thy hand--with that beloved name So fresh upon thy lips I will not fight thee-- I cannot--dare not. _Pol_. Now, by my halidom, I do believe thee!--coward, I do believe thee! _Cas_. Ha!--coward!--this may not be! (_clutches his sword and staggers towards Politian, but his purpose is changed before reaching him, and he falls upon hia knee at the feet of the Earl._) Alas! my lord, It is--it is--most true. In such a cause I am the veriest coward. Oh, pity me! _Pol. (greatly softened_). Alas!--I do--indeed I pity thee. _Cas_. And Lalage-- _Pol_. _Scoundrel!--arise and die!_ _Cas_. It needeth not be--thus--thus--Oh, let me die Thus on my bended knee. It were most fitting That in this deep humiliation I perish. For in the fight I will not raise a hand Against thee, Earl of Leicester. Strike thou home-- (_baring his bosom_.) Here is no let or hindrance to thy weapon-- Strike home. I _will not_ fight thee.