_Phil._ Mirza, my own! At last--at last my own!
_Mirza._ Oh, Philamir! I am so cruelly racked By sentiments I can not reconcile, I know not whether this is joy or grief! True, when I think of Philamir, the air Seems charged with music, and the earth I tread All flowers. When I remember Zeolide I could go mad with sorrow!
_Phil._ Then, my love, Think not of Zeolide!
_Mirza._ Ah, Philamir, You speak as men speak of a worn-out love. You only know one kind of love, you men! My love for Zeolide is otherwise, Unselfish, generous, a sister’s love. Yet I have stolen from her gentle heart That which in all the world she loved the best!
_Phil._ You are too sensitive. Say, rather, she Hath freely given that she prizes least.
_Mirza._ Oh, Philamir, indeed you do her wrong, And may perchance wrong me, as you wronged her.
_Phil._ (_rising_). Impossible! For if the words I breathe Were dashed with any mockery of love, I should against my will, confess it now. Mirza, I love you! These are idle words When spoken in the unenchanted world, But, spoken here, they bear significance That rivals in its worth a life-long test! Let us exchange some trinket which shall serve As evidence of this our solemn troth. Here is my pledge. (_Giving a ring._)
_Mirza._ My love, what can I give? I have no trinkets--I am very poor!
_Phil._ A handkerchief--a glove--no matter what!
(_She feels in pocket and takes out handkerchief--the crystal box falls out with it--he picks it up and retains it._)
This crystal box--nay, give it me, ’twill serve To chronicle--
_Mirza._ (_hastily_). No, no, Prince Philamir! Not that--not that! it is a talisman!
_Phil._ Then I will steal it as I stole your heart, And I will keep it while I keep that heart.
_Mirza._ Give me that box, or I must own the truth-- That I am miserably false to all! (_Throwing herself at his feet._) That my morality is all assumed! That I am mean, and base, and treacherous! A shameless schemer! heartless--impudent! Give me that box, or I must own that I Abstracted it from Phanor’s cabinet, And substituted one that I possessed Exactly like it. I must own to you That I’m unutterably infamous-- A hypocrite--a traitress to my friend-- All this, and more, I must admit, if you Retain that talisman! Oh, give it me, And let this locket testify our love! The King! The King! The King! I am undone! [_Exit MIRZA hastily._