Hear me, Lady Iduna, hear me with
calmness. I love you; I love you with a passion which has been as
constant as it is strong. My birth, my rank, my fortunes, do not
disqualify me for an union with the daughter of the great Hunniades.
If my personal claims may sink in comparison with her surpassing
excellence, I am yet to learn that any other prince in Christendom can
urge a more effective plea. I am young; the ladies of the court have
called me handsome; by your great father's side I have broken some
lances in your honour; and even Iduna once confessed she thought me
clever. Come, come, be merciful! Let my beautiful Athens receive a
fitting mistress! A holy father is in readiness dear maiden. Come
now, one smile! In a few days we shall reach your father's camp, and
then we will kneel, as I do now, and beg a blessing on our happy
union." As he spoke, he dropped upon his knee, and stealing her hand,
looked into her face. It was sorrowful and gloomy.
"It is in vain, Nicaeus," said Iduna, "to appeal to your generosity; it
is useless to talk of the past; it is idle to reproach you for the
present.
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