nion ban
Hath made me, fated--wed another man.
Let Duty still be queen! Yea, let her break
The heart she pierces, yet can never shake.
The virtue, once thy pride in days gone by
Doth that same worth now merit blasphemy?
Bewail her bitter fruit--but praised be
The rights that triumph over thee and me!

SEV.
Forgive, Pauline, forgive; ah! grief hath made me blind
To all but grief's excess, and fortune most unkind.
Forgive that I mistook--nay, treated as a crime
Thy constancy of soul, unequalled and sublime;
In pity for my life forlorn, my peace denied,
Ah! show thyself less fair,--one least perfection hide!
Let some alloy be seen, some saving weakness left,
Take pity on a heart of thee and Heaven bereft!
One faintest flaw reveal, to give my soul relief!
Else, how to bear the love that only mates with grief?

PAUL.
Alas! the rents in armour donned and proved
Too well my fight proclaim; yes, I have loved;
The traitor sigh, the tear unbid, attest
The combat fierce--the warrior sore distrest.
Say, who can stanch these wounds, that armour mend?
Thou who hast pierced, thou, thou alone defend!
Ah, if thou honourest my victory
Depart, that thou may'st still defender be!
So dry the tears that, to my shame, still flow--
So quench the fire would work my overthrow!
Yes, go, my only friend, with me combine
To end my torture, for thy pain is mine!

SEV.
This last poor drop of comfort may not be?

PAUL.
The cup is poisoned both for me and thee!

SEV.
The flower is gone--I cherish but the root!

PAUL.
Untimely blossom bears a fated fruit!

SEV.
My grief be mine! Let memory remain!

PAUL.
That grief might hope beget, so leave a stain!

SEV.
Not mine to stain what Heaven hath made so pure!
For me one offering left: 'tis this: Endure!
Thy glory shall be mine, my load I bear,
So, spotless, thou thy peerless crown shalt wear!
Farewell, my love, farewell; I go to prove my faith,
To bless, to save thy life, so will I mate with death!
If prostrate from the blow, there yet remains of life
Enough to summon death, and end the piteous strife!

PAUL.
My grief, too deep for voice, shall silent be,
There, in my chamber, will I pray for thee!
When th