[_He admits_ OLYMPIO, _who enters insolently down.
All press round him gaily._

_Mauria._ Well, what, Olympio, from Famagouste?
What tidings? tell us.

_Maga._ See, his sword!

_Olympio._ Stand off.

_Mauria._ The tidings, then, the tidings!

_Olympio._ None--for women.

_Mauria._ So-ho, my Cupid? None of the Saracens?
Of the squadron huddling yesterday for haven
At Keryneia?

_Olympio._ Who has told you?

_Mauria._ Who?
A hundred galleys westing up the wind,
Scenting the shore, but timorous as hounds.
A gale--and twenty down!

_Maga._ The rest are flown?

_Olympio._ Ask Zeus, or ask, to-morrow, lord Amaury,
Or, if he comes, to-night. To lady Yolanda
I'm sent and not to tattle, silly, here.

[_He starts off, but is arrested by laughter
within. It is_ CIVA _who enters, holding up a
parchment._

O! Only Civa.

[_Starts again with_ HALIL.

_Civa._ How, Olympio!
Stay you, and hear!--May never virgin love him!
Gone as a thistle! (_turns_).

_Mauria._ Pouf! (_laughs_).

_Alessa_ (_to_ CIVA). Now what have you?

_Civa._ Verses! found in the garden. Verses! verses!
On papyrus of Paphos. O, to read!
But you, Alessa--!

_Alessa_ (_takes them_). In the garden?

_Civa._ By
The fountain cypress, at the marble feet
Of chaste Diana!

_Maga._ Where Sir Camarin
And oft our lady--!

_Civa._ Maga, will you prattle?
Read them to us, Alessa, read them, read.
They are of love!

_Maga._ No, sorrow.

_Civa._ O, as a nun
You ever sigh for sorrow!--They are of love!
Of princes bursting through enchanted bounds
To ladies prisoned in an ogre's keep!
Then of the bridals!--O, they are of love!

_Maga._ No, Civa, no!--of sorrow! see, her lips!

[_She points to_ ALESSA, _who, reading, has paled._

See, see!

_Civa._ Alessa!

_Alessa._ Maga--Civa--Ah!

[_She rends the parchment._

_Mauria._ What are you doing?

_Alessa._