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VALERIA (throwing back the stole with astonishment mixed with fear).

O, most mysterious and wonderful!

Nothing is hid from thee: thou see'st afar
The distant death's day of the swathed babe,
Falling in hoary age, and the life's morn
Of those who are not.—Here then all confess'd,
A wretched empress and a trembling wife,
I stand before thee. O let thy keen eye
Thro' the dark mist that limits nature's sight,
Follow that phantom o'er whose head doth soar
Th' imperial bird! for, be it good or ill,
His fate is mine, and in his fate alone
I seek to know it.

CONJUROR.

And hast thou strength to bear it? art thou firm?

For that which smites mine eye must smite thine ear.

VALERIA (alarmed).

Thou reck'nest then to look on dreadful things?

CONJUROR.

I may or may not; but with mind not brac'd

In its full strength, seek not thy fate to know.

VALERIA (after a hesitating pause of great agitation).

I can bear all things but the dread uncertainty

Of what I am to bear.