From what cause can have arisen
Such dejection and such sadness;
This henceforth shall be my business
To divert him and distract him.

POLEMIUS.
Such precisely are my wishes:
And since now I am forced to go
In obedience to the mission
Sent me by Numerianus,
'Mid the wastes to search for Christians,
In my absence, Claudius,
Most consoling thoughts 't will give me,
To remember that thou watchest
O'er Chrysanthus.

CLAUDIUS.
From this instant
Until thy return, I promise
Not to leave his side.

POLEMIUS.
Aurelius . . .

AURELIUS.
My good lord.

POLEMIUS.
Art sure thou knowest
In this mountain the well-hidden