y,--
While Polyeucte, who has won what he has lost,
Can meet no rival with an equal eye.
The fruit of rivalry is ever hate
And envy; both must still engender strife:
One sees that rival hand has grasped his prize,
The other yearns for prize himself has missed.
Weak reason naught, when headlong passion reigns,
For valour seeks a sword, and love--revenge.
One fears to see the prize he gained impaired,
The other would that wrested prize regain;
While patience, duty, conscience, vail their heads
'Fore obstinate defence and fierce attack.
Such steeds no charioteer controls--for they
Mistake both curb and reign for maddening whip.
Ah! what a base, unworthy fear is mine!
How ill I read these fair, these noble souls,
Whose virtue must all common snares o'erleap!
Their gold unstained by dross or mean alloy!
As generous foes so will they--must they meet!
Yet are they rivals--this the thought that kills!
Not even here--at home--is Polyeucte safe,
The eagle wings of Rome reach over all.
Oh, if my father bow to Roman might,
If he repent the choice that he hath made,--
At this one thought hope's flame leaps up to die!
Or--if new-born--dies ere she see the light.
Hope but deceived,--my fear alone I trust,
Heaven grant such confidence be false--be vain!

(Enter Stratonice.)

Nay, let me know the worst! What, girl!--no word?
The rites are o'er? What hast thou seen--what heard?
They met in amity?--In peace they part?

STRAT.
Alas! Alas!

PAUL.
Nay, soothe my aching heart!
I would have comfort,--but this face of woe--
A quarrel?

STRAT.
Polyeucte--Nearchus--go--
The Christians--

PAUL.
What of them?

STRAT.
Ah, how to speak--

PAUL.
They on my father would their vengeance wreak?

STRAT.
Oh, fear whate'er thou wilt--that fear too small!

PAUL.
The Christians rise?

STRAT.
Oh, would that this were all!
Thy dream, Pauline, is true; Polyeucte is----

PAUL.
Dead?

STRAT.
Ah, no, he lives--yet every hope is fled;
That courage once so high, that noble name
Sunk in the mire of everlasting shame!
He lives,--who once was lovely in thy sight--
As monster foul--his every breath a blight;
The foe of Heav