Classic Poem

SCENE THE FOURTEENTH.

A Suite of brilliantly lighted-Rooms. Music.

VISNEVETSKY. MNISZECK GUESTS .

MNISZECK .

With my Marina only does he speak,
It is to her alone he pays his court;
And all a happy ending doth forebode.
Now, Visnevetsky, say, didst thou e'er think
My daughter would one day Tsaritza be?

VISNEVETSKY

A wondrous chance! Mniszeck, didst thou once think,
My common slave would mount the Moscow throne?

MNISZECK

But own, the tact and skill my daughter shows!
I did but whisper in her ear: " Take heed,
And let not Dmitry through the fingers slip! "
And, lo, 'tis done, well caught and captured safe!

MARINA .

To-morrow eve, an hour before midnight,
Near fountain in the avenue we meet.

CAVALIER .

But, pray, what finds he in her?
LADY

Well, confess

She is a beauty.

CAVALIER .

Like a marble nymph,
With eyes that gleam not, lips that have no smile.
LADY .

Not handsome, but he has a pleasing look,
Besides, he wears the true imperial air.

LADY .

When do they march?

CAVALIER

When the Tsarevitch wills.
We long are ready, but the fair Mniszeck
Both us and Dmitry keeps close captives here.

LADY .

A lot that most would share.

CAVALIER .

If only you...

MNISZEK .

We now are old, no longer care to dance,
And music gay has lost its witching charm,
Have ceased to press, or fondly kiss, fair hands:
And yet the freaks of youth are not forgot!
The world, methinks, is no more what it was:
Our youths have lost the knightly bearing bold,
Our beauties have become demurely cold,
And all, you must confess, is dull and dead.
So let us leave and go, dear friend, and bid
Uncork a bottle of our oldest wine,
Some cosy corner choose, where we may sit,
Enjoy its crusted fragrance, thick and ripe,
Whilst we discuss grave matter of import.
Away!

VISNEVETSKY

And much there is we should debate.