ESMERALDA.
Phoebus! I like your name!
PHOEBUS.
Upon my soul I have a blade Which has, Madame, Great havoc made.
ESMERALDA (_to Phoebus_).
A beautiful captain, An officer grand, With corselet of steel And an air of command!
Often, kind sir, Our hearts they break, And only laugh At the tears they make.
PHOEBUS (_aside_).
With a beautiful captain, An officer gay, Love hardly succeeds In living a day.
All soldiers desire To pluck every rose, Joys without troubles, Love without woes.
PHOEBUS (_to Esmeralda_).
A radiant spirit Smiles at me Through thine eyes.
ESMERALDA.
A beautiful captain, An officer grand, With corselet of steel And an air of command!
Long watches the girl He carelessly pa.s.sed; And the dreams he awakened Forever may last!
PHOEBUS.
With a beautiful captain, An officer gay, Love hardly succeeds In a living day!
It"s like lightning which flashes-- This eager desire Which the eyes of sweet maidens Kindle to fire!
ESMERALDA (_standing before the Captain and admiring him_).
My lord Phoebus! Let me see you!
Let me admire you a hundred-fold!
Oh the beautiful scarf of silk-- Oh the fine scarf with fringe of gold!
[_Phoebus takes it off and offers it to her._
PHOEBUS.
Does it please you?
ESMERALDA (_taking the scarf and putting it on_).
Yes, it is beautiful!
PHOEBUS.
One moment!
[_He goes to her and tries to embrace her._
ESMERALDA (_drawing back_).
Don"t, I beg you!
PHOEBUS (_insisting_).
You must kiss me!
ESMERALDA (_drawing away still more_).
No, truly!
PHOEBUS (_laughing_).
A beauty So cruel, So haughty, Is charming.
ESMERALDA.
No, beautiful captain, In vain you plead!
Can I tell how far A kiss might lead?
PHOEBUS.
I am a captain, Why abuse me?
I want a kiss-- Don"t refuse me!
Give it me--give it, or I will take!
ESMERALDA.
No, leave me! I beg of you, for my sake.
PHOEBUS.
One kiss, one kiss--"tis nothing, you see.
ESMERALDA.
Nothing to you, but much to me!
PHOEBUS.
Look at me, dear! I am playing no part!
ESMERALDA.
Alas, but I cannot look into my heart!