. . .
MOSCON. How?
LIVIA. ALTERNATIVELY.
CLARIN. Eh,
What's ALTERNATIVELY?
LIVIA. 'Tis to say,
That I would love them day about.
[Exit.
MOSCON. Well, I choose to-day: good-bye.
CLARIN. I, to-morrow, the better part.
So I give it with all my heart.
MOSCON. Livia, in fine, for whom I die,
To-day love me, and to-day love I.
Happy is he who so much can say.
CLARIN. Hearken, my friend: you know my way.
MOSCON. Why this speech? Does a threat lie in it?
CLARIN. Mind, she is not yours a minute
After the clock strikes twelve to-day.
[Exeunt.
* * * * *
SCENE XI.
THE STREET BEFORE LYSANDER'S HOUSE: NIGHT
Enter FLORUS and LELIUS at opposite sides, not seeing each other.
LELIUS [aside]. Scarcely has the darksome night
O'er the brow of heaven extended*
Its black veil, when I come hither
To adore this sacred threshold;
For although at Cyprian's prayer,
I my sharp sword have suspended,
I have not my love, for love
Cannot be suspended ever.
[footnote] *Asonante in e-e, to the end of the Act.
FLORUS [aside]. Here the dawn will find me waiting:--
Here, because 'tis force compels me
To go hence, for I, elsewhere,
Am away from my true centre.
Would to love the day had come,
And with it the dear, expected
Answer Cyprian may bring me,
Risking all upon that venture.
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