ing.

Asef. The Emperor refused you? (He bows his head) Demon! Oh!

(Turns to go, moaning)

Char. (Aside) I lose her!... Stay! Is there no hope for grief?

Asef. Not mine! Can you not read it here?

Char. Too well.
Thy sorrow is a veil through which thy beauty
Burns like a shrouded sun.

Asef. You pity me?

Char. As Heaven knows!

Asef. Then you will help me, sir?

Char. I'll give my life to do it!

Asef. Ah, you will?
Then get me access to the Emperor.

Char. O sweet Aseffa, you ask a miracle,
And I am sadly mortal.

Asef. I knew! I knew!
My misery is your plaything!

Char. His ministers
So hedge him with their care--

Asef. O spare excuse!
But I shall see him, sir! Ay, face to face!

Char. Why would you see him? He can not call the dead.

Asef. The dead! Thou hast but daggers for me! Ah!

Char. Aseffa--

Asef. Yes, I'll see him! What think you?
Should I go shouting 'murderer' through that hall,
Would he arise and answer to his name?

Char. You're mad, Aseffa!

Asef. Thank Heaven I am! 'T would be
The shame of woman to know all that I know
And not be mad!

Char. You must not go in there.

Asef. (Fiercely) Must not!
(Suddenly calm) Nay, sir! Why see, I go to sing
A welcome to the noble Emperor. (Throws back her cloak)
As this dark cloak now hides my gay apparel,
So shall my gay demeanor hide my woe.

Char. You would not harm the Emperor?

Asef. No need!
Yon moon is worshipped for her borrowed gold,
Though charred and cold without a leaf to dower
Her black sterility. So Maximilian.
Napoleon's favor is the sun that gilds
His worthless crown. But now the French are going--

Char. What?

Asef. Ah! The French are going.

Char. No!

Asef. And Maximilian shall fade to air,
Unheeded as the moon no eye could find
Without her sun!

Char.