That such an unmistakable coquette,

And one who shows her cards so candidly, Will not supplant the Princess Zeolide!

And, most inexplicable change of all,
The amiable but prudish Zeolide
Becomes a foolish vixen, blind with love,
Maddened with jealous and unreasoning rage!
Then comes a girl-a commonplace coquette-
Who, while she lays her plans with practiced skill,
Explains their aim, and holds them to the light,
That all may see their arrant hollowness!
It's evident there's some enchantment here
That shows up human nature as it is,
And I alone resist its influence!
Ah, here is Mirza-lovely paragon—
I'll notice how it operates on her.
Enter MIRZA.

Mirza. [starts.] I beg your pardon. I was looking for

My diary; I've dropped it hereabouts.

Phil. Allow me to assist you in your search!
Mirza. [hastily.] No, no; that must not be.
My diary

Must ne'er be seen by other eyes than mine!
Phil. Indeed! and why?

Mirza. My very inmost thoughts-
The secret utterances of my heart-
Are there inscribed. I would not for my life
That any eyes but mine should rest on it.

Phil. Can Lady Mirza harbor any thought

lide? Why, sir,

By what authority do you imply

That I have cherished any such design?

Phil. Your own admission.

Azema. Oh, impossible!

I'll not believe it.

with you,

To answer truly. I need say no more
To such a courteous knight as Philamir.

Phil. [aside.] It is, then, as I thought! [Aloud.]
I guessed the truth-

This palace, doubtless, is enchanted ground,
And I alone resist its influence !

Mirza. Indeed!

Phil. I had occasion, some time since, To feign unbounded love for Zeolide (For whom I don't particularly care); Well, notwithstanding my indifference, I spoke with all my usual gush of love, From which I venture to conclude that I

possibly

You do not love her much?

Chrys. [with enthusiasm.] Oh, not at all! Azema. You'll do give me your arm. [He does so—she shrinks.] Oh, sir, indeed[Impatiently to CHRYSAL, who hesitates.] Do take my hand and put it through your arm. [He does so.] That's it! Oh, sir, indeed I know you not!

[Exeunt CHRYSAL and AZEMA—AZEMA affecting to try and release herself. PHILAMIR stands astounded for a moment.

Phil. I've found a clue that solves these mysteries!

This palace is enchanted ground! It's plain
That there's some subtle influence at work,
Affecting everybody here-but me!
Chrysal, the honey-tongued, turns out to be
A blunt and scurrilous outspoken boor;
Zoram, the musical enthusiast,

Can hardly tell the treble from the bass;
Then Aristæus, surly, blunt and gruff,
Turns out to be the gentlest soul alive;

Mirza. You do not love the Princess Zeolide? You who professed unutterable love?

Phil. I liked her well enough at first, but now I'm weary of my liking. She displays So much unreasonable petulanceSuch causeless anger-such unbridled wrath, That I'm resolved to break the weary link That binds us. I'll be free to love again.

[Taking MIRZA's hand. Mirza. [releasing herself.] Oh, Philamir! Oh, shame upon you, sir!

She loves you! You are loved by Zeolide!
Why, there's a heaven opened to your eyes,
And you'll not enter, Philamir! Oh, shame,
To blight so true a heart as hers! Oh, fool,
To throw aside in wrath so fair a prize!

Phil. But listen-I've a fairer prize in view.
Mirza-I love you!

Mirza. [shuddering with terror.] Spare me, sir,
I pray!

Phil. Now, by this castle's mystic influence
I challenge you to answer truthfully—
Do you love me?

Mirza. [shrinking from him.] Have pity, Philamir!

Withdraw your question, I beseech you, sir!
If you insist, I must perforce reply-

I charge you, on your knighthood, press me not!
[PHILAMIR pauses, struggling with his feelings.
Phil. [releasing her.] My Lady Mirza, you are
free to go.
[Exit MIRZA hastily.

How subtly works the mystic influence,
That all seem subject to excepting me!
And from the fearful ordeal only one
Of all the women here comes out unscathed.
The peerless Mirza-good, and wise, and pure,
Most excellent and unapproachable!

To know that Mirza loves me is to know
That she is mortal-that I knew before.
To know that Mirza's worthy of my love,
And that, despite the searching influence
That I alone resist-oh, this indeed

Is happiness! I'm sure she loves me well!
Enter ZEOLIDE.

Zeo. Indeed she does! If half an hour ago

She spoke abruptly to her Philamir,

She bitterly repents it. Oh, my love,
Forgive me, for in truth I love you well!

Phil. [embracing her fondly.] But my remark did not apply to you;

I spoke of Lady Mirza.

Zeo. [recoiling.] Mirza!

Phil. Yes,

You should not jest with such a sacred word. You've played your joke upon me and you've seen How readily I fell into the trap;

Let that content you. There I'm not annoyedI'll not be caught again!

Phil. [earnestly.] Dear Zeolide,
Indeed I do not jest-nor did I when
You left me in unwarrantable rage.
I love the Lady Mirza-she loves me.
Zeo. [horrified.] She told you so?
Phil. Well, no. I'm bound to say
She did not tell me so in open words;
Her love for you restrained her. She's too good-
Too pure-too honorable-to allow

A passion for her dearest friend's betrothed
To master her. You should have heard her plead
Your hopeless cause. She struggles with her love,
And tries to keep it down-but still she loves.

Zeo. [astounded.] And you return this love?
Phil. Most heartily.

[With affectionate gesture.] I'm getting weary of you, and I wish

That I could find sufficient argument
To justify me in releasing you.

[She shrinks from him.
Why, now you frown again! Oh, Zeolide!
This willfulness is insupportable!
Zeo. [enraged.] Support it then no longer,
Philamir!

There you are free-our bond is at an end; Choose your path, I'll choose mine. Our roads diverge.

We part, and may not meet again. Farewell!
[Changing her manner.] Oh, Philamir, heed not
my words, I spoke

In reckless haste-I spoke my death-warrant!
Philamir, do not leave me, let me live;
See how I love you! I am at your feet-

I, Zeolide, whom once you thought so cold-
I, Zeolide, who am not wont to kneel!
Oh, give me till to-night, and pass the hours
That intervene in marshaling the past,
And let that plead my cause! You loved me once,
| You asked me for my love-I gave my life,
For I must die if you abandon me!
Have mercy on me! Give me till to-night!
There's some enchantment in this fearful place.
This is not Philamir-it is his shape,
But does not hold his soul. Before the night
I'll seek my father, and I'll gain from him
The key that solves this fearful mystery.
Go now-nay, do not speak-no-not a word-
I'll not believe that this is Philamir.
Go, leave me now-and we will meet to-night!
[He hesitates; then exit.

Oh, Philamir, my love, my love, my love!
[She falls sobbing on couch.

Enter PALMIS.

Palmis. What! Zeolide in tears? Has Philamir Been too emphatic in his vows of love?

Have pity on him!

Zeo. Palmis, pity me

He loves me not!

Palmis. Indeed?

Zeo. He told me so.

Palmis. [relieved.] Oho! He told you so?
Zeo. Most openly!

Palmis. Then there is hope for you. Come, dry

your eyes;

When men are over head and ears in love,
They cannot tell the truth-they must deceive,
Though the deception tell against themselves!
Here Chrysal comes-[astonished] a lady on his
arm!

Enter CHRYSAL and AZEMA; he leaves AZEMA abruptly on seeing PALMIS.

Why, Chrysal, who is this? Where have you been? Chrys. [affectionately.] I have been wandering through shady groves

With that exceedingly attractive girl.
Palmis. You have been flirting, sir?

Chrys. [putting his arm round her waist.] Ex ceedingly!

I always do when I'm away from you.

Palmis. [to AZEMA.] Oh, you're a brazen woman!

Azema. [with great modesty.] That I am!
An ordinary every-day'coquette,

Who lives on admiration, and resolves
To gain it by whatever means she can.

Zeo. [aside to PALMIS.] Palmis, there's some enchantment in this place

I know not what-it influences all-
Do not dismiss him yet, until we learn
Its nature!

Chrys. [with affection.] Yes, my Palmis, wait awhile,

Do not dismiss me yet; although it's true
I never loved you, yet I want your love
Because you have much influence at court,
And have it in your power to help me on
To further favor.

Palmis. [astounded.] Chrysal, are you mad? You never loved me?

Chrys. [enthusiastically.] Never, on my soul! In point of fact, I always hated you, And mean to tell you so when I have won

very face?

Zor. [cordially.] With pleasure, Chrysál. I have sought in vain,

By daily blackening your character,
To sicken pretty Palmis of her love.
I've told her you're an unexampled rake,

A gambler and a spendthrift, mean, poor, base,
Selfish and sordid; cruel, tyrannical;
But all in vain, she loves you all the more.
[Taking his hand.] Forget the angry words you
spoke to-day;

In the glad glow of hope that I shall gain
Your Palmis' love, I freely pardon you.

Chrys. [in furious rage.] This evening, in the
Avenue of Palms,

I shall await you, sir.

Altem. Now, sir, I've every reason to believe, From what I've heard, that you're deceiving me! I'll question you-oh, infamous old man! Phan. [aside.] The Queen is jealous. Where's my talisman? [Finds it. All right-it's well I have it with me now. [Aloud.] Interrogate me. Conscious innocence Has little fear of Palaces of Truth!

Altem. You have been walking in the shrubbery. What were you doing there?

Phan. [with great show of love for ALTEMIRE.] Why, making love

To Mirza. I invariably do

Whenever I've a chance; but all in vain.
She's a good woman, and despises me.

[TO MIRZA.] Haven't I offered love to you?
Mirza. You have.

Phan. And you despise me, don't you?

Mirza. Heartily.

Phan. [to ALTEMIRE.] I told you so, and

she

endorses it.

Believe me, I am bound to speak the truth!

Altem. [bitterly.] I do believe you.

Phan. [taking her by the hand.] Thank you, Altemire.

Altem. Stand off, don't touch me, horrible old man!

You tell me you've made love to Mirza?
Phan. [astonished.] No!

Did I say that?

Altem. Most unmistakably.

Phan. Oh, come, I say!

Zor. You did indeed, my lord!

Phan. I said that I made love to Mirza?
Chrys. Yes,

Those were the very words!

Phan. Oh, Mirza, come,

You can deny this!

Mirza. Would, my lord, I could.

To spare the Queen I would be silent, but
Me own, against my will, that it was so!
Some unknown power masters me, and makes

Altem. There, sir-you hear her words!
Phan. [aside to GELANOR.] Why, Gelanor,
How's this? The talisman is out of gear!

[Showing box to GELANOR. Gelan. Let me examine it. [Takes it and returns it.] A forgery!

A clever imitation; virtueless!

It lacks the small inscription on the hinge!

[PHANOR falls breathless into a chair. Phan. To-morrow morning we go home again!

He meets me here-the Avenue of Palms.
Gelan. Has he offended you?

Chrys: Most grievously.

You heard the words he used to me to-day?
Gelan. I did.

Chrys. Then blood must flow. I am a knight.
My knightly honor claims this sacrifice;
I've been insulted-one of us must die!

Gelan. You are a valiant man, if one may judge By your demeanor.

Chrys. [very valiantly.] My demeanor? Bounce!
Mere idle, empty froth and nothing more.
Why, notwithstanding that I look so brave,
I'd give the riches of a universe

To find some decent means of backing out;
But, no, my honor must be satisfied!
If I endured with patience Zoram's taunts,
I should deserve to have my knightly spurs
Struck from my heels! 'Sdeath, sir, I'm bound
to fight!

Gelan. Is Zoram a good swordsman?
Chrys. Not at all.

I'm far more skilled-but still I can't repress
A certain sense of terror.

May give him victory.

Gelan. Apologize!

Accident

Chrys. [indignantly.] To Zoram? Never! Would you have me stain

My hitherto untarnished 'scutcheon? Shame! Stand back-he comes!