heart

I cannot die, having within my
So keen a relish for the beautiful
As hath been kindled within it.

Methinks the air

Is balmier now than it was wont to be

Rich melodies are floating in the winds

A rarer loveliness bedecks the earth

And with a holier lustre the quiet moon

Sitteth in heaven.-Hist! hist! thou canst not

say

Thou hearest not now', Baldazzar ?

BALDAZZAR.

POLITIAN.

Indeed, I hear not.

Not hear it!-listen now-listen!-the

faintest sound,

And yet the sweetest that ear ever heard!
A lady's voice!—and sorrow in the tone!
Baldazzar, it oppresses me like a spell!
Again!—again!-how solemnly it falls

Into my heart of hearts! that eloquent voice
Surely I never heard-yet it were well

Had I but heard it with its thrilling tones

In earlier days!

BALDAZZAR.

I myself hear it now.

Be still!-the voice if I mistake not greatly,
Proceeds from yonder lattice-which you may see
Very plainly through the window-it belongs,

Does it not? unto this palace of the Duke.

Poe's Poems.

"Listen now-listen!-the faintest sound,
And yet the sweetest that ear ever heard!
A lady's voice!-and sorrow in the tone!"

Page 106.

r

The singer is undoubtedly beneath

The roof of his Excellency-and perhaps

Is even that Alessandra of whom he spoke
As the betrothed of Castiglione,

In merry England-never so plaintively

Hist! hist! it comes again!

Voice [more loudly].

"Is it so strong

As for to leave me thus,

Who hath loved thee so long,

In wealth and woe among?

And is thy heart so strong

As for to leave me thus ?

Say nay-say nay!"

BALDAZZAR. 'Tis hushed, and all is still!

Thy presence is expected in the hall

Below. What ails thee, Earl Politian ?

Voice [distinctly].

"Who hath loved thee so long,

In wealth and woe among,

And is thy heart so strong?

Say nay-say nay!"

BALDAZZAR. Let us descend !—'tis time. Politian, give

These fancies to the wind. Remember, pray,

Your bearing lately savoured much of rudeness

Unto the Duke. Arouse thee! and remember!

POLITIAN.

member.

Remember? I do. Lead on! I do re

Let us descend. Believe me, I would give,

[Going.