inspire and can alone justify. 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. I am a woman, alone and persecuted, where I could least
anticipate persecution. Nicaeus, I never can be yours; and now I
deliver myself to the mercy of Almighty God."

"'Tis well," said Nicaeus. "From the tower of the castle you may behold
the waves of the Ionian Sea. You will remain here a close prisoner,
until one of my galleys arrive from Piraeus to bear us to Italy. Mine
you must be, Iduna. It remains for you to decide under what
circumstances. Continue in your obstinacy, and you may bid farewell
for ever to your country and to your father. Be reasonable, and a
destiny awaits you, which offers everything that has hitherto been
considered the source or cause of happiness." Thus speaking, the