ain. Love and
ambition fired his wishes, and made eloquent his mouth, which had
hitherto only allowed itself secret sighs. He went to the court and
solicited a hearing of the duchess. "Gracious sovereign of thy people
and of my heart," he said, "from thee no secret is concealed, thou
knowest the flames that glow in this bosom, as purely and holily as
those upon the altar of the gods, and thou knowest the celestial fire
that has kindled them. The time is at hand when thou must give a
prince to the land, at the bidding of thy people. Can'st thou slight a
heart which only lives and beats for thee? To be worthy of thee I have
ventured my life and blood in raising thee to the throne of thy father.
Let me have the merit of maintaining thee there by the tie of tender
love; let us share the possession of the throne and of thy heart. The
former shall be thine, the latter mine, and then will my happiness be
exalted above the lot of mortals." The Lady Libussa deported herself
in a very maiden-like manner on hearing this address, and covered her
face with a veil that she might conceal the gentle blush that gave a
deeper colour to her cheek. With her hand she made a sign for Prince
Wladomir to withdraw, without opening her mouth, as if to consider how
she should answer him with respect to his suit.

The bold knight Mizisla then announced himself and desired to be
admitted. "Loveliest of the daughters of princes," he said, as he
entered the audience-chamber, "the beautiful dove, the queen of the
realms of air shall, as thou knowest, no more coo alone, but seek for
herself a mate. The proud peacock, as the story goes, makes his varied
feathers glitter in her eyes, and imagines that he will dazzle her with
their brilliancy, but she is modest and wise, and will not unite
herself to the haughty peacock. The greedy hawk, once a bird of prey,
has quite cast off his nature; he is good and gentle, nay without
guile, for he loves the fair dove, and hopes that she will espouse him.
His crooked beak and sharp claws should not mislead thee. These he
needs to protect his beloved dove, that no other bird may injure her or
endeavour to overthrow the seat of her dominion, for he is faithful and
true, and first vowed fealty to her on the day of her elevation. Tell
me then, wise princess, if the gentle dove will deign to bestow on her
faithful hawk the love to which he aspires?"

The Lady Libussa did as before, made a sign for the knigh