_Pol_. At the Vatican. (_exit Bal_.) If that we meet at all, it were as well That I should meet him in the Vatican-- In the Vatican--within the holy walls Of the Vatican. (_Enter Castiglione_.) _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--have at thee then, Proud Earl! (_draws_.) _Pol_. (_drawing_.) Thus to th' expiatory tomb, Untimely sepulchre, I do devote thee In the name of Lalage! _Cas_. (_dropping his sword and recoiling to the extremity of the stage_.) Of Lalage! Hold off--hold off thy hand!--Avaunt I say! Avaunt--I will not fight thee--I dare not--dare not. _Pol_. Thou wilt not fight with me didst say, Sir Count? Shall I be baffled thus?--now this is well, Exceeding well!--thou darest not fight with me? 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! Thou darest not! _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 his knee at the feet of the Earl_.) Alas! alas! It is--it is--most true. In such a cause I am--I am--a coward. O 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--O 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. _Pol_. Now s'Death and Hell! Am I not--am I not sorely--grievously tempted To take thee at thy word? But mark me, sir! Think not to fly me thus. Do thou prepare {108} For public insult in the streets--before The eyes of the citizens. I'll follow thee-- Like an avenging spirit I'll follow thee Even unto death. Before those whom thou lovest-- Before all Rome I'll taunt thee, villain,--I'll taunt thee, Dost hear? with _cowardice_--thou _wilt not_ fight me? By God! thou _shalt!_ (_exit_.)