The Complete Poetry. Эдгар Аллан По
riotous company, too—fellows low born Ill suit the like of old Di Broglio's heir And Alessandra's husband.
II
ROME.—A Lady's Apartment, with a window open and looking into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning, reading at a table on which lie some books and a hand-mirror. In the background JACINTA (a servant maid) leans carelessly upon a chair.
Lalage | Jacinta! is it thou? |
Jacinta (pertly) | Yes, ma'am, I'm here. |
Lalage | I did not know, Jacinta, you were in waiting. Sit down!—let not my presence trouble you— Sit down!—for I am humble, most humble. |
Jacinta (aside) | 'Tis time. |
(Jacinta seats herself in a side-long manner upon the chair, resting her elbows upon the back, and regarding her mistress with a contemptuous look. Lalage continues to read.) | |
Lalage | "It in another climate, so he said, Bore a bright golden flower, but not i' this soil!" [pauses—turns over some leaves and resumes.] "No lingering winters there, nor snow, nor shower— But Ocean ever to refresh mankind Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind" Oh, beautiful!—most beautiful!—how like To what my fevered soul doth dream of Heaven! O happy land! [pauses] She died!—the maiden died! O still more happy maiden who couldst die! Jacinta! [Jacinta returns no answer, and Lalage presently resumes,] Again!—a similar tale Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea! Thus speaketh one Ferdinand in the words of the play— "She died full young"—one Bossola answers him— "I think not so—her infelicity Seemed to have years too many"—Ah, luckless lady! Jacinta! [still no answer.] Here's a far sterner story— But like—oh, very like in its despair— Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily A thousand hearts—losing at length her own. She died. Thus endeth the history—and her maids Lean over her and keep—two gentle maids With gentle names—Eiros and Charmion! Rainbow and Dove!—Jacinta! |
Jacinta (pettishly) | Madam, what is it? |
Lalage | Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind As go down in the library and bring me The Holy Evangelists? |
Jacinta | Pshaw! |
[Exit] | |
Lalage | If there be balm For the wounded spirit in Gilead, it is there! Dew in the night time of my bitter trouble Will there be found—"dew sweeter far than that Which hangs like chains of pearl on Hermon hill." |
[re-enter Jacinta, and throws a volume on the table] | |
Jacinta (aside) | There, ma'am, 's the book. Indeed she is very troublesome. |
Lalage (astonished) | What didst thou say, Jacinta? Have I done aught To grieve thee or to vex thee?—I am sorry. For thou hast served me long and ever been Trustworthy and respectful. [resumes her reading.] |
Jacinta (aside) | I can't believe She has any more jewels—no—no—she gave me all. |
Lalage | What didst thou say, Jacinta? Now I bethink me Thou hast not spoken lately of thy wedding. How fares good Ugo?—and when is it to be? Can I do aught?—is there no further aid Thou needest, Jacinta? |
Jacinta (aside) | Is there no further aid! That's meant for me. [aloud] I'm sure, madam, you need not Be always throwing those jewels in my teeth. |
Lalage |
Jewels! Jacinta,—now indeed, Jacinta, I thought not of the jewels.
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