The Prophecy of Balaam, the Queen's Choice

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ...do? EVADNE. Attend me to The prison--I will go disguised; and thou Shalt with this signet bring us past the guards. OLYMPIAS. But for what purpose? he is stern and rude. Consider how--EVADNE. I have too much considered. I 'll see him, speak with him, and so resolve Perplexed surmises that confound me now. OLYMPIAS. Alas I if ill ensue, my love in this Were like the nurse's, who with poison stills Her wailing child. EVADNE. Come, come I No harm will follow. Exeunt. Scene II. The Pruon. HYLAS. I 've heard that there is fortitude in man To bear with equal spirit each reverse Of Fortune's rile inconstancy--if so, I strangely lack this virtue. Night and day Have blindly dragged one slow course since my bonds, And fierce impatience gnaws into my brain And fills my veins with fire.--A little more, I shall go mad! It is a thought like madness, To stand inactive thus--the powerless slave Of a weak puny girl. I saw her quail Beneath mine eye; ay, in that hour of triumph She trembled at her conquest, and, methinks, With better grace would have owned me her lord; And as a meek-eyed wife I might have deemed her Not undeserving honour. But what boots this? These chains convict me for a fool, who trusted In coward hirelings,--a braggart who Contrives an enterprise, ridiculous By utter failure. So--at length the sounds Of jubilee and shouting multitudes Cease to upbraid my ruin. I 'll think no more; As hard a couch, and none so undisturbed, Have I enjoyed. But steps are at the door--Now welcome! come what may. Enter Evadne veiled, Olympias.) She-jailers too! OLYMPIAS. My lord, the Queen would speak with you. HYLAS. Evadne! Well, I attend. EVADNE. This much concern, I know, Most fit to feed your scorn; yet, sir, the experience Of your implacable enmity...