Page:The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe (Volume II).djvu/83

---

I've news for you both. Politian is expected
Hourly in Rome—Politian, Earl of Leicester!
We'll have him at the wedding. 'Tis his first visit
To the imperial city.
⁠Aless. What! Politian
Of Britain, Earl of Leicester?
⁠Di Brog. The same, my love.
We'll have him at the wedding. A man quite young
In years, but grey in fame. I have not seen him,
But Rumour speaks of him as of a prodigy
Pre-eminent in arts and arms, and wealth,
And high descent. We'll have him at the wedding.
⁠Aless. I have heard much of this Politian.
Gay, volatile and giddy—is he not?
And little given to thinking.
⁠Di Brog. Far from it, love.
No branch, they say, of all philosophy
So deep abstruse he has not mastered it.
Learned as few are learned.
⁠Aless. 'Tis very strange!
I have known men have seen Politian
And sought his company. They speak of him
As of one who entered madly into life.
Drinking the cup of pleasure to the dregs.
⁠Cas. Ridiculous! Now I have seen Politian
And know him well—nor learned nor mirthful he.
He is a dreamer and a man shut out
From common passions.
⁠Di Brog. Children, we disagree.
Let us go forth and taste the fragrant air
Of the garden. Did I dream, or did I hear

Politian was a melancholy man?⁠(exeunt.)