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WITHIN AND WITHOUT: A Dramatic Poem PART II SCENE XV.—The Nurse's room. JULIAN and LILIA standing near the window
ОглавлениеJulian.
But do you really love me, Lilia?
Lilia.
Why do you make me say it so often, Julian?
You make me say I love you, oftener far
Than you say you love me.
Julian.
To love you seems
So much a thing of mere necessity!
I can refrain from loving you no more
Than keep from waking when the sun shines full
Upon my face.
Lilia.
And yet I love to say
How, how I love you, Julian!
[Leans her head on his arm. JULIAN winces a little. She raises her head and looks at him.]
Did I hurt you?
Would you not have me lean my head on you?
Julian.
Come on this side, my love; 'tis a slight hurt
Not yet quite healed.
Lilia.
Ah, my poor Julian! How—
I am so sorry!—Oh, I do remember!
I saw it all quite plain! It was no dream!
I saw you fighting!—Surely you did not kill him?
Julian
(calmly, but drawing himself up).
I killed him as I would a dog that bit you.
Lilia
(turning pale, and covering her face with her
hands.)
Oh, that was dreadful! there is blood on you!
Julian.
Shall I go, Lilia?
Lilia.
Oh no, no, no, do not.—
I shall be better presently.
Julian.
You shrink
As from a murderer!
Lilia.
Oh no, I love you—
Will never leave you. Pardon me, my Julian;
But blood is terrible.
Julian
(drawing her close to him).
My own sweet Lilia,
'Twas justly shed, for your defense and mine,
As it had been a tiger that I killed.
He had no right to live. Be at peace, darling;
His blood lies not on me, but on himself;
I do not feel its stain upon my conscience.
[A tap at the door.]
Enter Nurse.
Nurse. My lord, the steward waits on you below.
[JULIAN goes.]
You have been standing till you're faint, my lady!
Lie down a little. There!—I'll fetch you something.
