[_Enter_ LESBIA. LESBIA. O Queen, do you forgive? RHOD. Why, what, my child? Your coming back to me? Do you, O you Forgive me that I could have let you from me. I seemed--myself I knew not what I did, And yet I seem to think the King had told me You went not loath; and ah, I had been forced That night, that night to make him such denial I’d not the heart to say another “no”! LESBIA. Ah, then I’m free no more, and yet again May count myself among your waiting-maidens? RHOD. Nay, nay! As sister lay you on my breast! LESBIA. Why, what has passed? So moved I ne’er have seen you. RHOD. A hideous thing, a thing that has no name, For when I come to name it, lo ’tis altered And looks a deathlier horror than before! Yea, Spawn of Night, that grins upon my eyes, Your first-shown face methinks I could have kissed Now that your second’s bared in doubtful dark. LESBIA. Can I do aught for you? The question’s foolish, I feel it--yet---- RHOD. My girl, you cannot murder, And he who cannot murder can for me Do nothing more---- LESBIA. Oh, Sovereign Lady! RHOD. ’Tis so. You fix me with wide eyes, you cannot grasp it That such a word should come from out my mouth. Yes, Lesbia, is it I, it is Rhodope That warned you maids so oft, and checked your motion To filch with meddling hand Death’s dismal office Though but a spider’s life were set at stake. I’ve not forgot it, but ’tis of the time When in fresh morning dew I laved my limbs And in the streams of sunshine basked them dry; But now I bay for blood, now naught of me Survives but what the gods will find is needful That to avenge which time long since I was! LESBIA. Your Consort then knows naught? A vengeancer Can ne’er be lacking to the Queen of Lydia. RHOD. It seems so--yet----Nay, I will know, and soon. Go, Lesbia, and call me Karna hither. LESBIA. You mean I am to bear him word from you? RHOD. That’s with the past. LESBIA. But--but--your veil--you’ll wish it! RHOD. Nay, nay! LESBIA. I shudder! Oh! ’Tis the first time. [_Exit._ RHOD. The friend he cannot sacrifice; therefore He spares the wife. Else could he not endure it! [LESBIA _returns with_ KARNA. Karna, you know the oath that you had sworn What time your Lord, my King-descended Father, Gave you his daughter at the Golden Gate. Though still I sat upon my elephant, Though deeply I was shrouded in my veil, Yet well I noted everything that passed Nor have forgot one word that then you spoke. KARNA.