ell said indeed.
Tell me, and have I seen thy face before?
A something in it haunts me.

_Ire._ Ay, my lord.
Am I forgot so soon?

_Asan._ Indeed! Thy name?
Where have I seen thee?

_Ire._ Where? Dost thou, then, ask?

_Asan._ Ay; in good truth, my treacherous memory
Betrays me here.

_Ire._ Thou mayest well forget
My name, if thou hast quite forgot its owner.

[_Weeps._

I am called Irene.

_Asan._ Strange! the very name
My lady did relate to me as hers
Who bears a hopeless love. Weep not, good lady;
Take comfort. Heaven is kind.

_Ire._ Nay, my good lord,
What comfort? He I love loves not again,
Or not me, but another.

_Asan._ Ah, poor lady!
I pity you indeed, now I have known
True recompense of love.

_Ire._ Dost thou say pity?
And pity as they tell's akin to love.
What comfort is for me, my Lord Asander,
Who love one so exalted in estate
That all return of honourable love
Were hopeless, as if I should dare to raise
My eyes to Caesar's self? What comfort have I,
If lately I have heard this man I love
Communing with his soul, when none seemed near,
Betray a heart flung prostrate at the feet
Of another, not myself; and well I know
Not Lethe's waters can wash out remembrance
Of that o'ermastering passion--naught but death
Or hopeless depths of crime?

_Asan._ Lady, I pity
Thy case, and pray thy love may meet return.

_Ire._ Then wilt thou be the suppliant to thyself,
And willing love's requital, Oh, requite it!
Thou art my love, Asander--thou, none other,
There is naught I would not face, if I might win thee.
That I a woman should lay bare my soul;
Disclose the virgin secrets of my heart
To one who loves me not, and doth despise
The service I would tender!

_Asan._ Cease, I pray you;
These are distempered words.

_Ire._ Nay, they are true.
And come from the inner heart. Leave these strange shores
And her you love. I know her from a child.
She is too high and cold for mortal love;
Too wrapt in duty, and high thoughts of State,
Artemis and Athene fused in one,
Ever to throw her life and maiden shame
As I do at thy feet.

[_Kneels._

_Asan._ Rise, lady, rise;