Enter Beatrice attended, and Jerome with her Female Attendant keep on the background, while Maurice, running eagerly to her, leads her nearer the front.
My charming Beatrice! may I indeed
Believe that thou art here? that thou vouchsafest
To come with thoughts of favour for thy slave?
BEATRICE.
It is so strange,—my mind is so bewilder'd!
MAURICE.
BEATRICE.
That seem'd to follow me, and yet were nothing.
I thought the very stones of the old walls
Did call my name and know me as I pass'd.
MAURICE.
Swallows or bats may whisper of our meeting,
But naught besides.—Oh! how I have desired
To tell thee all my heart; on bended knee
To plead my cause!—My fate is in thy hands;
And since thou hast such pity of my pain
As thus to listen to me, may I hope
Thou wilt be better still?
