No More Learning

Avaunt--I will not fight thee--indeed I dare not.

Pol. Thou wilt not fight with me didst say, Sir Count?
Shall I be baffled thus? --now this is well;
Didst say thou darest not? Ha!

Cas. I dare not--dare not--
Hold off thy hand--with that beloved name
So fresh upon thy lips I will not fight thee--
I cannot--dare not.

Pol. Now by my halidom
I do believe thee! --coward, I do believe thee!

Cas. Ha! --coward! --this may not be!
(clutches his sword and staggers towards POLITIAN, but his purpose
is changed before reaching him, and he falls upon his knee at the feet of
the Earl)

Alas! my lord,
It is--it is--most true. In such a cause
I am the veriest coward. O pity me!

Pol. (greatly softened. ) Alas! --I do--indeed I pity thee.

Cas. And Lalage-

Pol. Scoundrel! --arise and die!

Cas. It needeth not be--thus--thus--O let me die
Thus on my bended knee. It were most fitting
That in this deep humiliation I perish.
For in the fight I will not raise a hand
Against thee, Earl of Leicester.