ILAMEA A DRAMATIC IDYLL ILAMEA SEE, how the sun now dips his glorious rays In yonder crystal lake, and changes its COUNT Now, rather watch the fleecy clouds, which weave And interweave with one another, like Fair soul with soul commingling close, that Seek no new condition for continuance Of bliss, but sweet propinquity. Fair lady, even so would life near thee Be one long dream of joy. Thou fill'st the space Encircling thee with influence divine, That gives my soul a strange new element On which to live. Ilamea, I love thee; chide me not, My sweet, for Love is peremptory-prompt, And will bide no hiding. Why should I try And bright the moments speed when thou art near. How quickly time hath fled since errand of As talented as beautiful, as chaste As either. Then good Fortune smiled; I met A long eternity. [Count kneels. Mine is no passion born of mere desire, Thy soul. Nay, blush not thus, I know not how To its fond mother tell the reason why It clings so closely, frets that it may lie Ah, no! it is mere instinct at the first; It hath no power of thought or speech; its cries I did exist before, but now I LIVE, For Love hath made Ilamea mine own! ILAMEA [She motions him to rise. Oh, say not so, my lord, and cease to plead Thy suit. I must not dare not listen it. On me the sun of Love may never shine; Know then, nor love, nor wedded bliss, nor aught Of happiness can ever be for me. Henceforward I must tread my path alone; 'Tis vain to say thou lovest me; if 'twere COUNT This surely is a jest, Ilamea! 'Tis the cruel coquetry of thy sex That's bubbling up within thee! Yet I thought Thee far beyond such trifling. Cultured, clear Thy mind; thy soul all perfect-beautiful, |