SCENE viz PART SECOND
EMPRESS-MOTHER
So one of Austrian blood his pomp selects To be his bride and bulwark—not our own. Thus are you coolly shelved!
ALEXANDER
Me, mother dear ? You, faith, if I may say it dutifully! Had all been left to me, some time ere now He would have wedded Kate.
EMPRESS-MOTHER
How so, my son ? Catharine was plighted, and it could not be.
ALEXANDER
Rather you swiftly pledged and married her, To let Napoldon have no chance that way. But Anne remained.
EMPRESS-MOTHER
How Anne ?—so young a girl! Sane Nature would have cried indecency At such a troth.
ALEXANDER
Time would have tinkered that, And he was well-disposed to wait awhile; But the one test he had no temper for Was the apparent slight of unresponse Accorded his impatient overtures By our suspensive poise of policy,
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