, how ready
Is fear to whisper what love hates to hear.

[Estella _and_ Caesario _appear on the terrace._]

See! see! again Estella comes--and with her--
Shame and despair! burst from your sockets eyes,
Since ye dare show me this!--'Tis he! 'Tis he!
Caesario! on my soul, Caesario's self----
He bids farewell!--He waves a glittering scarf,
A gift of love, no doubt!--Now to his lips
He glues it!--Blistered be those lips, Caesario,
Which have so oft sworn faith to me:--She goes----
Egyptian plagues go with her! [_Exit Estella._

_Caesa._ [_Looking back at the palace._] Yet one look,
One grateful blessing for this night of rapture;
Then, shrine of my soul's idol! casket, holding
My heart's most precious gem, awhile farewell!
But, when my foot next bends thy floors, expect
No more this cautious gait, this voice subdued!
Proud and erect, with manly steps and strong,
I'll come a Conqueror and a King, to lead
With sceptred hand forth from her bower my bride,
And bid Castile adore her, like Caesario.
Farewell, once more farewell!

_Otti._ [_Advancing._] I'll cross his path,
And blast him with a look.

_Caesa._ Ottilia?

_Otti._ What!
Am I then grown so hideous that my sight
Withers the roses on a warrior's cheeks,
And makes his steps recoil! In Moorish battles
He gazed undaunted on death's frightful form,
But shrinks to view a monster like Ottilia.

_Caesa._ [_Aside._] Confusion! Should her rage alarm the guards.

_Otti._ Or do I wrong myself? Is still _my_ form
Unchanged, but not thy faith? Speak, traitor, speak!

_Caesa._ I own, most dear Ottilia----

_Otti._ Hark! he owns it!
Hear, Earth and Heaven, he owns it! No excuse!
No varnish, no disguise!--He will not stoop
To use dissembling with a wretch he scorns,
Nor thinks it worth his pains to fool me further!
Proceed, brave sir, proceed! In trivial strain
Tell me how light are lovers' oaths, how fond
Youth's heart of change, how quick love comes and flies;
And own that yours for me is flown for ever.
Then with indifference ask a parting kiss,
Hope we shall still be friends, profess esteem,
Thank me for favours past, and coldly leave me.

_Caesa._ How shall I hush this storm? [_Aside._]

_Otti._ Oh! fool, fool, fool!
I thought him absent; thought mid-day would bring
My hero back, and pass'd this sleepless night
In prayers, and sighs, and vows for his return;
While scorned all oaths, forgot all faith, all honour,
Clasped in Estella's wanton arms h