PHILIP. Love, ambitious, bold, deep-plotted,
With the favours of a kingdom
Me thou mak'st a prosperous lover.
To the desert fled Polonia,
Where, mid savage rocks and forests,
Citizen of mighty mountains,
Islander of lonely grottoes,
She doth dwell, to Lesbia leaving
Crown and kingdom; through a stronger
Greed than love I Lesbia court,--
For a queen is worth my homage.
From her trellis I have come,
From a sweet and pleasant converse.
But, what's this? Each night I stumble
On a man here at my doorstep.
Who is there?
PAUL [aside]. To me he's coming.
Why on earth should every goblin
Pounce on me?
PHILIP. Sir, Caballero.
PAUL. These are names I don't acknowledge;
He can't speak to ME.
PHILIP. This house
Is my home.
PAUL. Which I don't covet;
May you for an age enjoy it,
Without billets.
PHILIP. If important
Business in this street detains you
(Not a word whereon I offer),
Give me room that I may pass.
PAUL [aside]. Somewhat timid, though quite proper,
Goblins can be cowards too.--
Yes, sir, for a certain office
I am here; go in, and welcome;
I no gentleman would stop here
Bound for bed, nor is it right.
PHILIP. The condition I acknowledge.--
[Aside.
Well, fine spectres, to be sure,
Haunt this street: each night I notice
That a man here comes before me,
But when I approach him softly,
Hereabouts on my own threshold,
I, as now, have always lost him.
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