Classic Poem

 Now all is still; 'tis night; the moon
With silver tips the southern pole
Sudden the gipsy-sire is roused
From sleep by Zemphire's touch and voice.

ZEMPHIRE

 In his sleep Aleko frights me;
He tosses, groans, and sighs, and weeps.

OLD MAN

 Disturb him not, but silence keep
I oft have heard the Russians say,
At night, the demon of the house
Will haunt the troubled sleeper's dream,
And then at dawn itself depart.
Till then, 'tis well thou sitst by me.

ZEMPHIRE

In sleep he starts, and cries, Zemphire!

OLD MAN

 Though dreaming, still he seeks for thee:
Dearer than all thou art to him.

ZEMPHIRE .

 And yet, his love has brought no joy:
My heart would fain throw off the yoke,
Be free again… But hush! . . listen!
He mutters now another's name.

OLD MAN

Whose name?

ZEMPHIRE .

Dost thou not hear? He groans,
And grinds his teeth. 'Tis horrible!
I will awake him quick.

OLD MAN .

Why seek
To chase the demon of the night?
It will itself depart.

ZEMPHIRE

I hear
Him restless turn, and now he calls:
I go. Farewell! Sleep, father, sleep!

ALEKO

Where hast thou been?

ZEMPHIRE

I was with father.
Some evil spirit did torment
And plague thee in thy sleep. I dared
No longer stay. But thou didst grind
Thy teeth, and called me.

ALEKO

In my dream
It seemed as if between us was…
But no! it is too horrible!

ZEMPHIRE

Dost thou believe in cheating dreams?

ALEKO .

 In none, in naught, do I believe;
Nor dreams, nor lover's secret vows;
Nor that thy heart can loyal keep.