o?
I would lie down and weep, and weep,
Till the salt current of my tears should sweep
My soul, like floating weed, adown a fitful sleep,
A lingering half-night through.
Then when the mocking bells did wake
My hollow eyes to twilight gray,
I would address my spiritless limbs to pray,
And nerve myself with stripes to meet the weary day,
And labour for thy sake.
Until by vigils, fasts, and tears,
The flesh was grown so spare and light,
That I could slip its mesh, and flit by night
O'er sleeping sea and land to thee--or Christ--till morning light.
Peace! Why these fears?
Life is too short for mean anxieties:
Soul! thou must work, though blindfold.
Come, beloved,
I must turn robber.--I have begged of late
So soft, I fear to ask.--Give me thy purse.

Lewis. No, not my purse:--stay--Where is all that gold
I gave you, when the Jews came here from Koln?

Eliz. Oh, those few coins? I spent them all next day
On a new chapel on the Eisenthal;
There were no choristers but nightingales--
No teachers there save bees: how long is this?
Have you turned niggard?

Lewis. Nay; go ask my steward--
Take what you will--this purse I want myself.

Eliz. Ah! now I guess. You have some trinket for me--
You promised late to buy no more such baubles--
And now you are ashamed.--Nay, I must see--

[Snatches his purse. Lewis hides his face.]

Ah, God! what's here? A new crusader's cross?
Whose? Nay, nay--turn not from me; I guess all--
You need not tell me; it is very well--
According to the meed of my deserts:
Yes--very well.

Lewis. Ah, love!--look not so calm--

Eliz. Fear not--I shall weep soon.
How long is it since you vowed?

Lewis. A week or more.

Eliz. Brave heart! And all that time your tenderness
Kept silence, knowing my weak foolish soul. [Weeps.]
O love! O life! Late found, and soon, soon lost!
A bleak sunrise,--a treacherous morning gleam,--
And now, ere mid-day, all my sky is black
With whirling drifts once more! The march is fixed
For this day month, is't not?

Lewis. Alas, too true!

Eliz. Oh break not, heart!

[Conrad enters.]

Ah! here my master comes.
No weeping before him.

Lewis. Speak to the holy man:
He can give strength and comfort, which poor I
Need even more than you. Here, saintly master,
I leave her to your holy eloquence. Farewell!
God help us both! [Exit Lewis.]

Eliz [rising]. You know, Sir, that my husband has taken the cross!

Con. I do; all praise t