_Amel._ Never! saw I not Ottilia Decked with my gift? did I not hear.----Shame! shame! Go, go, Estella, see him! say, and firmly, We meet no more! say, that the veil is rent! Say, that I know him wavering, vain, ungrateful, Flattering and false! and having said this, add, False as he is, he's my soul's tyrant still! _Caesa._ [_Throwing himself at her feet_] Accents of Heaven!--my life! my love! _Amel._ Caesario? Farewell forever! _Caesa._ Nay you must not leave me. Hear me but speak.---- _Amel._ Release me! _Caesa._ But one word.-- _Amel._ I'll not be held!--Your pardon. I forgot sir! I thought myself still mistress of my actions! Still princess of Castile!--Now I remember I'm that despised, unhappy thing, your wife! Sir, I obey!--Your pleasure! _Caesa._ Oh! how lovely Those eyes can make e'en scorn! yet calm their lightnings-- Once more let love.-- _Amel._ Never--the hours are past When I believed thee all my fond heart wished; Thought thee the best, the kindest, truest----thought thee---- Oh! Heaven! no Eastern tale portrays the palace Of fay, or wizard (where in bright confusion Blaze gold and gems) so glorious fair, as seemed, Tricked in the rainbow-colours of my fancy, Caesario's form this morn:----Too late I know thee; The spell is broke; and where an Houri smiled, Now scowls a fiend. Oh! thus benighted pilgrims Admire the glow-worm's light, while gloom prevails But find that seeming lamp of fiery lustre A poor dark worthless worm, when viewed in sunshine. Away, and seek Ottilia. _Caesa._ Oh! my princess, Deep as thy anger wounds my heart, more deeply I grieve to think, how thine will bleed at finding This anger undeserved. _Amel._ Oh! that it were _so_, But no! I saw my scarf----that very scarf---- My own hands wrought it.----Many a midnight lamp, While thou wert at the wars, in toil I wasted, And made it my sole joy to toil for thee, There was no thread I had not blest! no flower I had not kist a thousand times, and murmured With every kiss a prayer for thy return, And yet thou gav'st this sacred work to buy A wanton's favours.---- _Caesa._ Say, to buy her silence? _Amel._ Her silence? _Caesa._ As this morn I left the palace, She marked my flight. _Amel._ Just heaven! _Caesa._ Though unrequited, Her love has long been mine.--She raved; she threatened; She would have vengeance; she would rouse the guards; Alarm the king.---- _Amel._ [_Shuddering._] My father! _Caesa._ But her silence Bought by that scarf.-- _Amel._ Caesario, could I trust thee? Were this tale true, could I but think.-- _Caesa._ I'll swear.