POLEMIUS.
Whom didst thou address?

CHRYSANTHUS.
Here sitting
I was reading to myself,
And perchance conceived some image
I may have addressed in words
Which have from my memory flitted.

POLEMIUS.
The grave sadness that o'erwhelms thee
Will, unless it be resisted,
Undermine thy understanding,
If thou hast it still within thee.

CLAUDIUS.
'T is a loud soliloquy,
'T is a rather audible whisper
That compels one's friends to hasten
Full of fear to his assistance!

CHRYSANTHUS.
Well, excitement may . . .

POLEMIUS.
Oh! cease;
That excuse will scarce acquit thee,
Since when one 's alone, excitement