the star is to its atmosphere; Wedded as day and night, no break, no void Between, but only faintest change and lights, Born of a higher world, a purer sphere, Heaven-conceived, begotten of the sky.

[25]

[The light visibly brightens, shining down upon the two. After a silence they stir and slowly walk apart, watching the sky. Icilius presently rejoins Virginia.

Love, thou art weary. Come within and sleep. Virg. Nay, I could never weary in thy sight. Have I not called thy kisses and embrace My wine, my flame, my moonlight and my stars? I am not weary. But I'll come within— The morrow brings a fresh Elysium. Icilius. Oh! but the night is fair; behold each rose, How tenderly preserves and cups its dew, Barely awakened, lifting up its head And smiling at the moon. One kiss before We go within. And now, farewell, thou rose; Farewell, thou garden of nocturnal dreams And noon-day musings. Come, Virginia, Let us within.

Scene IV—Home of Cornelia.[26]

Scene IV—Home of Cornelia.

[26]

Apartment spacious and luxurious, with hangings of various kinds. Cornelia, who is reclining in an arm chair, occupies the center of the room; a female stands behind her in the act of arranging her hair. On the left is a boy in rich patrician dress, seated beside an oblong bath, engaged in sailing a tiny fleet of vessels on the surface of the water. On the right are a number of attendants, conversing in undertones.

Cor. Ah, gods! I am most sad and most aweary Of this routine of state, unrestful splendor. My lovers love not me but my possessions, My friends are envious of my delights. Wretched aristocrats! Unhappy we Who call ourselves patricians, and who swear Our race is blessed of the most blessed gods! Say rather cursed, and with a heavy curse! How can I give my heart to those who are By noble blood worthy and eligible, After the Roman laws, to sue for it? Eros with them is but an empty name; Passion and lust and horrible ambition Form the emotions of these "blessed" ones. And I, unhappy, love with pure desire Sicinius, a soldier and a pleb! Yet hath the Ten forbidden intermarriage, Just when those bars of difference were about To fall away and Heaven ope for me.

[To the attendant.

Sufficient, Julia. Julia. Nay, a few light touches And thou wilt shine more fair, my lovely mistress, Than heavenly Venus in 

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