Chapter 5Scene 4

A street in Madrid. Antonio, Basil. ANTONIO This is the place. BASIL ’Tis farther. ANTONIO This, I know it. Here’s the square Velasquez. There in his saddle Imperial Charles watches the silent city His progeny could not keep. Where the one light Stands beckoning to us, is Don Mario’s dwelling. O thou celestial lustre, wast thou kindled To be her light who is my sun? If so, Thou art most happy. For thou dost inherit The sanctuary of her dear sleep and art The confidant of those sweet secrecies. Though thou live for a night, yet is thy short And noble ministry more rich and costly Than ages of the sun. For thou hast seen, O blessed, her unveiled and gleaming shoulder Make her thick-treasured hair more precious. Thou Hast watched that face upon her heavenly pillow Slumbering amid its peaceful curls. O more! For thou perhaps hast laid one brilliant finger On her white breast mastered with sacred sleep, And there known Paradise. Therefore thou’rt famous Above all lights that human hands have kindled.

The Maid in the Mill BASIL Here’s a whole epic on an ounce of oil, A poor, drowned wick bought from the nearest chandler And a fly sodden in it. ANTONIO Listen! one comes. BASIL Stand back, abide not question. ANTONIO They’ll not doubt us. We are far from the building. BASIL Am I mad? Do you think I’ll trust a lover? Why, you could not Even ask the time but you would say, “Good sir, How many minutes to Ismenia?” ANTONIO Well, Stand back. BASIL No need. I see it. ’Tis the she-guide, The feminine Mercury, the tongue, the woman. Enter Brigida. Hark to the bell now. BRIGIDA You, my lord Antonio? This way, my lord. ANTONIO Which way you will. I know

Act I, Scene 4 You are my guide to heaven. BRIGIDA O you have come? I take this kindly of you, Se˜nor. Tell me, Were you not hiding when I came up to you? What was it, Sir? A constable or perhaps A creditor? For to be dashed by a weak girl I know you are too bold. What did you say? I did not hear you. We are there, my lord. Now quietly, if you love her, your sweet lady. (to Basil) Can you be silent, Se˜nor? We are lost else.