Act II, Scene 5

[A Room in the Palace.]

[CESAR and ARIAS talking: to whom after a time enter LAZARO.]

LAZ.
Oh, I have had rare work.

CES.
The letter! (takes it from LAZARO)

AR.
And how did all end?

LAZ.
Well—as I am home at last safe and sound.

CES.
Arias, you share my heart; even read my letter with me. (They read.)

LAZ.
(aside) That my master should trust that babbler who let out about my wooden sword to the Prince! my life upon ’t, he’ll do the same to him; for he who sucks in gossip is the first to leak it.

AR.
Sweetly she writes!

CES.
How should it be but sweet,
Where modesty and wit and true love meet?

AR.
And expects you this evening!

CES.
Till which each minute is an hour, each hour
A day, a year, a century!

LAZ.
And then
In sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

AR.
The Prince!

CES.
I dread his seeing me.

AR.
But how?

CES.
Lest, as already twice, he thwart me now.

[Enter PRINCE.]

PRINCE.
Cesar here, when I am on fire to know the upshot of my plot upon his letter! I must get quit of him.

CES.
Good day, my lord.

PRINCE.
Well, any news abroad?

AR.
Not that I know of, my lord.

PRINCE.
Cesar, there are despatches in my closet, have been lying there since yesterday, should they not be seen to at once?

CES.
My lord! (Aside.) I foresaw it!

PRINCE.
Yes! I would have you look to them and report them to me directly.

CES.
(aside) Ah, this is better! (Aloud.) I’ll see to them.
(Aside.) And then, I trust, day’s work with daylight o’er,
Man, nor malicious star, shall cross me more.

[Exeunt CESAR and LAZARO.]

PRINCE.
And now about the letter?

AR.
I only know, my lord, that though Felix got home first, Lazaro got there somehow, somehow gave her the letter, and somehow got an answer.

PRINCE.
Hast seen it?

AR.
Yes, my lord.

PRINCE.
And—

AR.
She appoints another meeting this evening.

PRINCE.
And I must myself despatch his work, so as to leave him free to-night! Oh Arias, what can I do more?

AR.
Cannot your Highness go there yourself, and so at least stop further advancement?

PRINCE.
True, true; and yet I know not; it might be too suspicious. I must consider what shall be done;

And what more subtle engine I may try
Against these lovers’ ingenuity.

[Exeunt.]