_Julia_. [Alone.] A wedded bride! Is it a dream? Is it a phantasm? 'Tis Too horrible for reality! for aught else Too palpable! O would it were a dream! How would I bless the sun that waked me from it! I perish! Like some desperate mariner Impatient of a strange and hostile land, Who rashly hoists his sail and puts to sea, And being fast on reefs and quicksands borne, Essays in vain once more to make the land, Whence wind and current drive him; I'm wrecked By mine own act! What! no escape? no hope? None! I must e'en abide these hated nuptials! Hated!--Ah! own it, and then curse thyself! That madest the bane thou loathest--for the love Thou bear'st to one who never can be thine! Yes--love! Deceive thyself no longer. False To say 'tis pity for his fall--respect, Engendered by a hollow world's disdain, Which hoots whom fickle fortune cheers no more! 'Tis none of these; 'tis love--and if not love, Why then idolatry! Ay, that's the name To speak the broadest, deepest, strongest passion, That ever woman's heart was borne away by! He comes! Thou'dst play the lady,--play it now! [Enter a Servant, conducting CLIFFORD, plainly attired as the EARL OF ROCHDALE'S Secretary.] Servant. His lordship's secretary. [Servant goes out.] _Julia_. Speaks he not? Or does he wait for orders to unfold His business? Stopped his business till I spoke, I'd hold my peace for ever! [CLIFFORD kneels; presenting a letter.] Does he kneel? A lady am I to my heart's content! Could he unmake me that which claims his knee, I'd kneel to him--I would! I would!--Your will? _Clif_. This letter from my lord. _Julia_. O fate! Who speaks? _Clif_. The secretary of my lord. _Julia_. I breathe! I could have sworn 'twas he! [Makes an effort to look at him, but is unable.] So like the voice-- I dare not look, lest there the form should stand! How came he by that voice? 'Tis Clifford's voice, If ever Clifford spoke! My fears come back-- Clifford the secretary of my lord! Fortune hath freaks, but none so mad as that! It cannot be!--It should not be!--A look, And all were set at rest. [Tries to look at him again, but cannot.] So strong my fears, Dread to confirm them takes away the power To try and end them! Come the worst, I'll look. [She tries again; and again is unequal to the task.] I'd sink before him if I met his eye! _Clif_. Will't please your ladyship to take the letter? Julia. There Clifford speaks again! Not Clifford's heart Could more make Clifford's voice! Not Clifford's tongue And lips more frame it into Clifford's speech! A question, and 'tis over! Know I you? _Clif_. Reverse of fortune, lady, changes friends; It turns them into strangers. What I am I have not always been! _Julia_. Could I not name you? _Clif_. If your disdain for one, perhaps too bold When hollow fortune called him favourite,-- Now by her fickleness perforce reduced To take an humble tone, would suffer you-- _Julia_. I might? _Clif_. You might!