Collected Works of Poe, Edgar Allan Poe [best mobile ebook reader TXT] 📗
- Author: Edgar Allan Poe
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_ Lal._ Think of my early days! -- think of my father And mother in Heaven think of our quiet home, And the rivulet that ran before the door! Think of my little sisters! -- think of them! And think of me! -- think of my trusting love And confidence- his vows- my ruin -- think -- think Of my unspeakable misery! -- begone! Yet stay! yet stay! -- what was it thou saidst of prayer And penitence? Didst thou not speak of faith And vows before the throne?
_Monk._ I did._ Lal._ Lal. 'Tis well. There is a vow were fitting should be made -- A sacred vow, imperative, and urgent, A solemn vow!
_Monk._ Daughter, this zeal is well ! _Lal._ Father, this zeal is anything but well ! Hast thou a crucifix fit for this thing? A crucifix whereon to register This sacred vow? (_he hands her his own_) Not that- Oh! no! -- no! -- no! (_shuddering_) Not that! Not that! -- I tell thee, holy man, Thy raiments and thy ebony cross affright me! Stand back! I have a crucifix myself, -- I have a crucifix Methinks 'twere fitting The deed -- the vow -- the symbol of the deed -- And the deed's register should tally, father! (_draws a cross-handled dagger, and raises it on high_) Behold the cross wherewith a vow like mine Is written in Heaven! _Monk._ Thy words are madness, daughter, And speak a purpose unholy- thy lips are livid -- Thine eyes are wild -- tempt not the wrath divine! Pause ere too late! -- oh, be not -- be not rash! Swear not the oath -- oh, swear it not! _Lal. _'Tis sworn! III. An apartment in a Palace. Politian and Baldazzar. _Baldazzar_. -- -- -- Arouse thee now, Politian! Thou must not -- nay indeed, indeed, shalt not Give away unto these humors. Be thyself! Shake off the idle fancies that beset thee, And live, for now thou diest! _Politian_. Not so, Baldazzar! _Surely_ I live. _Bal_. Politian, it doth grieve me To see thee thus. _Pol_. Baldazzar, it doth grieve me To give thee cause for grief, my honoured friend. Command me, sir! what wouldst thou have me do? At thy behest I will shake off that nature Which from my, forefathers I did inherit, Which with my mother's milk I did imbibe, And be no more Politian, but some other. Command me, sir!_ Bal_. To the field, then -- to the field -- To the senate or the field.
_Pol_. Alas! Alas! There is an imp would follow me even there! There is an imp _hath_ followed me even there! There is -- what voice was that?_ Bal_. I heard it not. I heard not any voice except thine own, And the echo of thine own.
_ Pol_. Then I but dreamed.
_ Bal_. Give not thy soul to dreams: the camp -- the court, Befit thee -- Fame awaits thee -- Glory calls -- And her the trumpet-tongued thou wilt not hear In hearkening to imaginary sounds And phantom voices.
_ Pol_. It is a phantom voice! Didst thou not hear it then?
_ Bal_. I heard it not.
_ Pol_. Thou heardst it not! -- Baldazaar, speak no more To me, Politian, of thy camps and courts. Oh! I am sick, sick, sick, even unto death, Of the hollow and high-sounding vanities Of the populous Earth! Bear with me yet awhile! We have been boys together -- schoolfellows -- And now are friends -- yet shall not be so long -- For in the eternal city thou shalt do me A kind and gentle office, and a Power -- A Power august, benignant and supreme -- Shall then absolve thee of all further duties Unto thy friend.
_ Bal_. Thou speakest a fearful riddle I will not understand.
_ Pol_. Yet now as Fate Approaches, and the Hours are breathing low, The sands of Time are changed to golden grains, And dazzle me, Baldazzar. Alas! alas! I cannot die, having within my heart So keen a relish for the beautiful As hath been kindled within it. Methinks the air Is balmier now than it was wont to be -- Rich melodies are floating in the winds -- A rarer loveliness bedecks the earth -- And with a holier lustre the quiet moon Sitteth in Heaven. -- Hist! hist! thou canst not say Thou hearest not now, Baldazzar?
_ Bal_. Indeed I hear not.
_ Pol_. Not hear it! -- listen now! -- listen! -- the faintest sound And yet the sweetest that ear ever heard! A lady's voice! -- and sorrow in the tone! Baldazzar, it oppresses me like a spell! Again! -- again! -- how solemnly it falls Into my heart of hearts! that eloquent voice Surely I never heard -- yet it were well Had I but heard it with its thrilling tones In earlier days!
_ Bal_. I myself hear it now. Be still! -- the voice, if I mistake not greatly, Proceeds from yonder lattice -- which you may see Very plainly through the window -- it belongs, Does it not? unto this palace of the Duke. The singer is undoubtedly beneath The roof of his Excellency -- and perhaps Is even that Alessandra of whom he spoke As the betrothed of Castiglione, His son and heir.
_ Pol_. Be still! -- it comes again!
_Voice_ "And is thy heart so strong (_very faintly_) As for to leave me thus Who hath loved thee so long In wealth and woe among? And is thy heart so strong As for to leave me thus? Say nay -- say nay!"_ Bal_. The song is English, and I oft have heard it In merry England -- never so plaintively -- Hist! hist! it comes again!
_Voice_ "Is it so strong (_more loudly_) As for to leave me thus Who hath loved thee so long In wealth and woe among? And is thy heart so strong As for to leave me thus? Say nay -- say nay!"_ Bal_. 'Tis hushed and all is still!
_ Pol_. All is not still!
_ Bal_. Let us go down.
_ Pol_. Go down, Baldazzar, go!
_ Bal_. The hour is growing late -- the Duke awaits use -- Thy presence is expected in the hall Below. What ails thee, Earl Politian?
_Voice_ "Who hath loved thee so long (_distinctly_) In wealth and woe among, And is thy heart so strong? Say nay -- say nay!"_ Bal_. Let us descend! -- 'tis time. Politian, give These fancies to the wind. Remember, pray, Your bearing lately savored much of rudeness Unto the Duke. Arouse thee! and remember
_ Pol_. Remember? I do. Lead on! I do remember.
(_going._) Let us descend. Believe me I would give, Freely would give the broad lands of my earldom To look upon the face hidden by yon lattice -- "To gaze upon that veiled face, and
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