FRA SEBASTIANO. An achievement Worthy of Charlemagne, or of Orlando. Berni and Ariosto both shall add A canto to their poems, and describe you As Furioso and Innamorato. Now I must say good-night. IPPOLITO. You must not go; And Lucrine oysters cradled in their shells: In part I do so; for to put a stop To idle tongues, what men might say of me And so I pass my life in these two worlds, Ah me, I cannot bring my troubled mind Who by his sin lost Paradise for us, VALDESSO. We ourselves, When we commit a sin, lose Paradise, JULIA. Teach me, then, To harmonize the discord of my life, VALDESSO. That is a task impossible, until You tune your heart-strings to a higher key Than earthly melodies. JULIA. How shall I do it? Point out to me the way of this perfection, And I will follow you; for you have made My soul enamored with it, and I cannot Rest satisfied until I find it out. But lead me privately, so that the world Hear not my steps; I would not give occa sion For talk among the people. VALDESSO. Now at last I understand you fully. Then, what need JULIA. What rudeness! If you already know it, why not tell me? VALDESSO. Because I rather wait for you to ask it With your own lips. JULIA. Do me the kindness, then, From the vexatious thoughts that come and go You would attain to the divine perfection, Occasions that require its exercise; You would despise the world, but in such fashion The world should not despise you in return ; Would clothe the soul with all the Chris |