Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 050.djvu/352

318 Upon your honour; are you not acquainted

With any person whom this picture's like?

. I'm not indeed.

'Tis an ideal then?

I know no person who resembles it.

(rising up.) I'm satisfied—and now the work is mine.

. It is.

Now, swear that you will never claim

This picture as your work.

. Here is my hand—

I'll never claim that picture as my work.

Then take your gold; and take my thanks besides.

. (bowing him out.) Farewell—farewell—most noble of directors!—

(Exit Calmari.)

Rav. What have you done, Salvator?

. Sold your picture.

To this Calmari?

. You were pleased to place it

At my disposal, as you may remember,

And now the part you have to play is this—

To-morrow, when the notes are given in

Bearing the names of the competitors,

Write upon yours "Picture of Danae,"

And sign your name within. Calmari here

Will do the same—claiming your work as his.

When both are open'd, then you must stand forth,

And in plain terms, before the whole assembly,

Denounce the liar, as he well deserves.

But he is Laura's guardian, and this trick

Will make him my worst enemy for life.

No, let him take my work, and take my fame,

And give me Laura!

. That will never do—

I will not hear of it. You must be known—

Florence must know the treasure she possesses.

Ten Lauras—ay! a hundred—you may find

Before you paint another piece like that.

Art is of higher worth than love, my friend!—(Exeunt.)

(to Ravienna, who is kneeling before her.) Rise, dear Bernardo; do you doubt me still?

I am bound down by chains I cannot break.

So speaks my guardian, when he lies for hours

Prostrate and whining at my feet. Pray, rise!

. (rising.) Laura! how happy am I in your love! I never knew life's blessedness till now—

Fair days are ours, and brighter are to come,