CHRYSANTHUS. Though these words by chance were spoken As an omen I 'll admit them: Since Carpophorus (who in Rome Was the most renowned, most gifted Master in all science), now Flying from the emperor's lictors, Through suspect of being a Christian, In lone deserts wild and dismal Lives a saintly savage life, He will give to all my wishes The solution of these doubts:-- And till then, O restless thinking Torture me and tease no more! Let me live for that! [His voice gradually rises. ESCARPIN (within). Within there My young master calls. CLAUDIUS (within). All enter. (Enter Polemius, Claudius, Aurelius, and Escarpin). POLEMIUS. My Chrysanthus, what afflicts thee? CHRYSANTHUS. Canst thou have been here, my father? POLEMIUS. No, my son, 't was but this instant That I entered here, alarmed By the strange and sudden shrillness Of thy voice; and though I had On my hands important business, Grave and weighty, since to me Hath the Emperor transmitted This decree, which bids me search Through the mountains for the Christians Hidden there, and specially For Carpophorus, their admitted Chief and teacher, for which cause I my voice too thus uplifted-- "Yes, Carpophorus must pay For the trouble that this gives me"-- I left all at hearing thee.-- Why so absent? so bewildered? What 's the reason? CHRYSANTHUS. Sir, 't is naught. POLEMIUS. Whom didst thou address? CHRYSANTHUS. Here sitting I was reading to myself, And perchance conceived some image I may have addressed in words Which have from my memory flitted. POLEMIUS. The grave sadness that o'erwhelms thee Will, unless it be resisted, Undermine thy understanding, If thou hast it still within thee. CLAUDIUS. 'T is a loud soliloquy, 'T is a rather audible whisper That compels one's friends to hasten Full of fear to his assistance! CHRYSANTHUS. Well, excitement may . . . POLEMIUS. Oh! cease; That excuse will scarce acquit thee, Since when one 's alone, excitement Is a flame that 's seldom kindled. I am pleased, well pleased to see thee To the love of books addicted, But then application should not To extremes like this be driven, Nor should letters alienate thee From thy country, friends, and kinsmen. CLAUDIUS. A young man by heaven so favoured, With such rare endowments gifted, Blessed with noble birth and valour, Dowered with genius, rank, and riches, Can he yield to such enthralment, Can he make his room a prison, Can he waste in idle reading The fair flower of his existence?