I do not wonder you are
wearied of this castle!" continued the prince in a melancholy tone.
"This spot contains nothing to interest you; but for me, it holds all
that is dear, and, O! gentle maiden, one smile from you, one smile of
inspiration, and I would not envy Themistocles, and might perhaps rival
him."
They were walking together in the hall of the castle; Iduna stepped
aside and affected to examine a curious buckler, Nicaeus followed her,
and placing his arm gently in hers, led her away.
"Dearest Iduna" he said, "pardon me, but men struggle for their fate.
Mine is in your power. It is a contest between misery and happiness,
glory and perhaps infamy. Do not then wonder that I will not yield my
chance of the brighter fortune without an effort. Once more I appeal
to your pity, if not to your love. Were Iduna mine, were she to hold
out but the possibility of her being mine, there is no career, solemnly
I avow what solemnly I feel, there is no career of which I could not be
capable, and no condition to which I would not willingly subscribe.
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