Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/39



Ctibor.—Miss Polyxena!

Polyxena.—I have found you, Mr. Ujezda!

Ctibor.—Have you a request that I can grant?

Polyxena.—My uncle has been summoned for an interview with the master, and a fast courier has just arrived with a letter which should be delivered instantly, especially if he is with the count. So I myself took special charge of it in order that my uncle receive it at once.

Ctibor.—Count Rozmberk is still below in the garden. Mr. Hannewaldt went with the master of Alchemy to the laboratory, but both will return very soon.

Polyxena (Looking frightened).—Into the alchemist’s vault? That is not a cheerful place.

Ctibor.—I am not afraid, but it is with a feeling of disgust that I enter the laboratory myself, and I perceive that you are afraid of the spot.

Polyxena.—You are my protector, and I need have no fear.

Ctibor (Ardently).—Your protector,—but how brief must be my dream! A day or two will pass by, and you will be taken away,—taken away from me!

Polyxena.—And though it were even harder to endure the absence, it cannot be prevented.

Ctibor.—It lies entirely in your hands.

Polyxena.—That is not the case.

Ctibor.—It frightens me to think that you will go away, lady, it frightens me when I realize that I may lose you. Perhaps there will be no other opportunity before your departure for me to talk with you alone. (With growing earnestness.) Let your absence from me be but very brief, and let your soul, your heart, be mine, for I cannot tear my thought away from you.

Polyxena (Ardently).—And if I myself desired to be near you, how would it be possible to fulfill that wish?

Ctibor.—Be mine!

Polyxena (Gazing at , who is drawing her closer to him). Ctibor, what can possibly come of this mutuality and love but pain?

Ctibor.—Not at all, not at all, you shall be mine, you must be mine. And if happiness is to be found anywhere in the world it