In such a cause

  I am the veriest coward. O pity me!

 

      Pol.  (greatly softened.)  Alas!—I do—indeed I pity thee.

 

      Cas.  And Lalage-

 

      Pol.  Scoundrel!—arise and die!

 

      Cas.  It needeth not be—thus—thus—O let me die

  Thus on my bended knee. It were most fitting

  That in this deep humiliation I perish.

  For in the fight I will not raise a hand

  Against thee, Earl of Leicester. Strike thou home—

 

                                                     (baring his bosom.)

  Here is no let or hindrance to thy weapon-

  Strike home. I will not fight thee.

 

      Pol.  Now, s' Death and Hell!

  Am I not—am I not sorely—grievously tempted

  To take thee at thy word? But mark me, sir,

  Think not to fly me thus. Do thou prepare

  For public insult in the streets—before

  The eyes of the citizens. I'll follow thee

  Like an avenging spirit I'll follow thee

  Even unto death. Before those whom thou lovest-

  Before all Rome I'll taunt thee, villain,—I'll taunt thee,

  Dost hear? with cowardice—thou wilt not fight me?

  Thou liest! thou shalt!                                      (exit.)

 

      Cas.  Now this indeed is just!

  Most righteous, and most just, avenging Heaven!

 

  {In the book there is a gap in numbering the notes between 12 and 29.

 —ED}

NOTE

29. Such portions of "Politian" as are known to the public first saw the light of publicity in the "Southern Literary Messenger" for December, 1835, and January, 1836, being styled "Scenes from Politian: an unpublished drama." These scenes were included, unaltered, in the 1845 collection of Poems, by Poe. The larger portion of the original draft subsequently became the property of the present editor, but it is not considered just to the poet's memory to publish it. The work is a hasty and unrevised production of its author's earlier days of literary labor; and, beyond the scenes already known, scarcely calculated to enhance his reputation. As a specimen, however, of the parts unpublished, the following fragment from the first scene of Act II. may be offered. The Duke, it should be premised, is uncle to Alessandra, and father of Castiglione her betrothed.

      Duke. Why do you laugh?

 

      Castiglione. Indeed

 

  I hardly know myself. Stay! Was it not

  On yesterday we were speaking of the Earl?

  Of the Earl Politian? Yes! it was yesterday.

  Alessandra, you and 1, you must remember!

  We were walking in the garden.

 

      Duke, Perfectly.

  I do remember it-what of it-what then?

 

      Cas. 0 nothing-nothing at all.

 

      Duke. Nothing at all!

  It is most singular that you should laugh

  'At nothing at all!

 

      Cas. Most singular-singular!

 

      Duke. Look you, Castiglione, be so kind

  As tell me, sir, at once what 'tis you mean.

  What are you talking of?

 

      Cas. Was it not so?

  We differed in opinion touching him.

 

      Duke. Him!—Whom?

 

      Cas. Why, sir, the Earl Politian.

 

      Duke. The Earl of Leicester! Yes!—is it he you mean?

  We differed, indeed. If I now recollect

  The words you used were that the Earl you knew

  Was neither learned nor mirthful.

 

      Cas. Ha! ha!—now did I?

 

      Duke. That did you, sir, and well I knew at the time

  You were wrong, it being not the character

  Of the Earl-whom all the world allows to be

  A most hilarious man. Be not, my son,

  Too positive again.

 

      Cas.