And yet, his love has brought no joy:

My heart would fain throw off the yoke,

Be free again.... But hush!... listen!

He mutters now another s name.

OLD MAN.

Whose name?

ZEMPHIRE.

Dost thon not hear? He groans,

And grinds his teeth.' Tis horrible!

I will awake him quick.

OLD MAN.

Why seek

To chase the demon of the night?

It will itself depart.

ZEMPHIRE.

I hear

Him restless turn, and now he calls:

I go. Farewell! Sleep, father, sleep!

ALEKO.

Where hast thou been?

ZEMPHIRE.

I was with father.

Some evil spirit did torment

And plague thee in thy sleep. I dared

No longer stay'. But thou didst grind

Thy teeth, and called me.

ALEKO.

In my dream

It seemed as if between us was -

But no! it is too horrible!

ZEMPHIRE.

Dost thou believe in cheating dreams?

ALEKO.

In none, in naught, do I believe;