Poor silly sheep! afar you err and stray
From Him who is The Life, The Truth, The Way!
My grief chokes utterance! I see your fate,
As round the fold the hungry wolves of hate
Closer and fiercer rage: from sword and flame
One shelter for His flock--one only Name!
The Cross alone our victor over fears,
Not this thy strength,--thy plea--a woman's tears!

POLY.
I know thy heart! It is mine own--the tear
My pity drops hath ne'er a taint of fear!
Who dreads not torture, yet--to give relief
To her he loves, perforce must ease her grief!
If Heaven should claim my life, my death, my all,
Then Heaven will give the strength to heed the call.
The shepherd guides me surely to the fold,
There, safe with Him, 'tis He will make me bold!

NEAR.
Be bold! O come!

POLY.
Yes, let thy faith be mine!
There--at his feet--do I my life resign
If but Pauline--my love--would give consent!
Else heaven were hell, and home but banishment!

NEAR.
Come!--to return. Thrice welcome to her sight,
To see thee safe will double her delight:
As the pierced cloud unveils a brighter sun,
So is her joy enhanced--thy glory won!
O come, they wait!

POLY.
Appease her fear! Ah, this
Alone will give her rest--her lover bliss.
She comes!

NEAR.
Then fly!

POLY.
I cannot!

NEAR.
To deny would yield thine enemy the victory!
He loves to kill, and knows his deadliest dart
Finds friend within the fort--thy traitor heart!

Enter Pauline and Stratonice

POLY.
I needs must go, Pauline! My love, good-bye!
I go but to return--for thine am I!

PAUL.
Oh, why this haste to leave a loving wife?
Doth honour call?--or fear'st thou for thy life?

POLY.
For more, a thousandfold!

PAUL.
Great Gods above!

POLY.
Thou hast my heart! Let this content thy love!

PAUL.
You love and yet you leave me. What am I?
Not mine to solve the dreary mystery!

POLY.
I love thee more than self--than life--than fame
But----

PAUL.
There is something that thou dar'st not name.
Oh, on my knees I supplicate, I pray,
Remove my darkness!--turn my night to day!

POLY.
Oh, dreams are naught!

PAUL.
Yet, when they tell of the