Through every door I stalk along--naught holds me, Nor lock nor bolt, at distance due. RHOD. How fearful! KAN. For all bad souls, you mean. RHOD. No, no, I say! For all good souls, still more, still more! (_To_ LESBIA.) Can you Still breathe unruffled, will not blushing shame Dissolve you now you know’t? Sire, cast it hence Down, down into the deepest flood! When more Than mortal strength is given a man, he’s born Half-god, innate, sufficient. Give it me! My people say that things through which the world May fly to fragments, here and there on earth Are lying hid. They reach us from the time When men and gods still walked the world together And pledged their love with mutual gifts. This ring Is of that time, and who can tell what hand Bore this, what goddess put it on, what bond It sealed of yore? Do you not shiver to think That her dark gift’s your arrogated plunder And that you draw her vengeance on your head? I shudder at the very sight--then give it! KAN. On one condition--this, that you as Queen Will show you at the feast to-day. RHOD. How can I? You bore away a bride from farthest borders Seclusion-hedged, and knew her as she was. Once you were glad that never an eye ere yours, Except alone my Sire’s, had rested on me And that none after you should win the sight. KAN. Forgive! I only think the precious stone That’s not displayed---- RHOD. Will lure no robber’s lust! KAN. Enough. Alas, this “No” is but your wont. Yes, let the wind blow fresh from every quarter On fluttered veils--you’ll keep yours tight and trim. [_Music_. The pomp! No time for kings to fail their presence. RHOD. Yes, but the rebels? Ah, I’m pained to-day That I dare not go with you. KAN. You are kind, But have no anxious fret--the matter’s settled. RHOD. In truth? KAN. In truth. I need not say through fear; I punished them through force alone, not choice. This life’s too short to let a man therein Earn even so much as the desert of death, And so to-day I’d not condemn one gladly. [_Exit._ RHOD. Now all of you begone! LESBIA. I’ll stay, my Queen. RHOD. Oh, no; your nurse ne’er crooned a prophecy That some man’s face would token death for you. [_Exeunt_ LESBIA, HERO, _and the others_. They’re over-dull to dream here; even the noblest (_looking after_ LESBIA) Is irked by what I deem peculiar joy. SCENE 3