How we grew up together; how we plighted
Our hearts unto each other, even in childhood!
Fulfil thy promise, for the hour has come.
I am hunted from the kingdom, like a wolf!

Fulfil thy promise.

PRECIOSA.

'T was my father's promise,

Not mine. I never gave my heart to thee,

Nor promised thee my hand!

BARTOLOMÉ.

False tongue of woman!

And heart more false !

I will speak frankly.

I cannot love thee.

It is my destiny.

PRECIOSA.

Nay, listen unto me.

I have never loved thee;

This is not my fault,

Thou art a man

Restless and violent. What wouldst thou with me,
A feeble girl, who have not long to live,
Whose heart is broken? Seek another wife,
Better than I, and fairer; and let not

Thy rash and headlong moods estrange her from

thee.

Thou art unhappy in this hopeless passion.

I never sought thy love; never did aught

To make thee love me. Yet I pity thee,

And most of all I pity thy wild heart,

That hurries thee to crimes and deeds of blood.

Beware, beware of that.

BARTOLOMÉ.

For thy dear sake,

I will be gentle. Thou shalt teach me patience.

PRECIOSA.

Then take this farewell, and depart in peace.

Thou must not linger here.

Spirit of her who bore me, look upon me :
Mother of God, the glorified, protect me!

Christ and the saints, be merciful unto me!

Yet why should I fear death? What is it to die?

To leave all disappointment, care, and sorrow,

To leave all falsehood, treachery, and unkindness, All ignominy, suffering, and despair,

And be at rest for ever! O, dull heart,

Be of good cheer!

When thou shalt cease to

beat,

Then shalt thou cease to suffer and complain!

(Enter VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO behind.)

VICTORIAN.

'T is she! Behold, how beautiful she stands

Under the tent-like trees!

HYPOLITO.

A woodland nymph!

VICTORIAN.

I pray thee, stand aside. Leave me.

T

HYPOLITO.

Do not betray thyself too soon.

Be wary.

VICTORIAN (disguising his voice).

Hist! Gipsy !

PRECIOSA (aside, with emotion).

That voice! that voice from heaven! O speak

again!

Who is it calls?

VICTORIAN.

A friend.

PRECIOSA (aside).

'Tis he! 'T is he!

I thank thee, Heaven, that thou hast heard my

prayer,

And sent me this protector! Now be strong,
Be strong, my heart! I must dissemble here.
False friend or true?

VICTORIAN.

A true friend to the true;

Fear not; come hither. So; can you tell fortunes?