You’ll see me not a second time. Forgive That I have spoken, though indeed it sounds So roughly in your ears. GYGES. Nay, sweetest child, But place yourself behind yon platanus And speak as now--some love-lorn boy will cry, “A nightingale that speaks as well as sings!” LESBIA. You are no boy. GYGES. Nay, nay, I’m not so much; You see that well. ’Tis true I had a notion, A thought I’m not the weakest hand at weapons, That I’d done thus and thus, and none could ever Get nipping at my ears without his buffet; And, if by just the twist of luck a better Were absent, I’d be called in danger’s hour. But those are boyish dreams--the lash to the booby For tippling wine i’ the night! LESBIA. First bring to me A bough of laurel-tree, then will I lash you And after weave for you the wreath. GYGES. And so You shared my dream? Maybe then it was true, And yet the mock! LESBIA. The mock? Where is the mock? GYGES. Stand _you_ not there? LESBIA. Oh, cruel! GYGES. Not so, not so, In truth not so! LESBIA. You’ve killed ere now a many; Have you e’er brought one to his re-awakening? GYGES. You are most fair--Ay, verily, a blend Of lily and of rose that in their plot Make variant weft of hues, by pranksome winds In such a juggling mingle set to swaying There’s not an eye can sift the shades apart. Now you are red, now pale--and lo, you’re neither, You’re both at once! LESBIA. What know you, then, of me? _That_ was your dream; I look far otherwise-- See and recoil! [_She offers to unveil herself._ GYGES (_preventing her_). No, no. LESBIA (_to_ THOAS). Back to the Queen! (_To_ GYGES.) She gave me not away in joy, she’ll take Me gladly back again. GYGES. Then say to her I have not cast one look upon your face. LESBIA. Oh, insult! GYGES. Nay, you know I spied at you How often yesterday; till then I ne’er Had seen you. LESBIA. Then, it seems, I ever Was at some childish trick. Oh, I am ashamed I marked it not till now; and yet the others Deserve the blame for all their teasing pranks. GYGES. I only saw what charmed me. LESBIA. Surely so, For that which charms we love beneath a veil. Come, come, old man! GYGES. And wherefore hasten so? I am your lord, but tremble not at me; I ask of you one service, only one, Which granted you may leave. LESBIA (_to_ THOAS). Then go alone. GYGES.