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M'DONALD.

No more, no more. 'T is past. Remember it
But as thou would'st the action of another,
By thy enlighten'd judgment much condemn'd;
And serving as a beacon in the storms
Thy passions yet may raise. Remorse is vice:
Guard thee against its influence debasing.
Say to thyself, "I am not what I was;
I am not _now_ the instrument of vice;
I'm changed; I am a man; Virtue's firm friend;
Sever'd for ever from my former self;
No link, but in remembrance salutary."

BLAND.

[How[8] all men tower above me!

M'DONALD.

Nay, not so.
Above what once thou wast, some few do rise;
None above what thou art.

BLAND.

It shall be so.

M'DONALD.

It is so.

BLAND.

Then to prove it.
For I must yet a trial undergo,
That will require a consciousness of virtue. [_Exit._

M'DONALD.

Oh, what a temper doth in man reside!
How capable of yet unthought perfection!] [_Exit._

SCENE, _the GENERAL'S Quarters._

_Enter GENERAL and SEWARD._

GENERAL.

Ask her, my friend, to send by thee her pacquets.
[_Exit SEWARD._
Oh, what keen struggles must I undergo!
Unbless'd estate! to have the power to pardon;
The court's stern sentence to remit;--give life;--
Feel the strong wish to use such blessed power;
Yet know that circumstances strong as fate
Forbid to obey the impulse. Oh, I feel
That man should never shed the blood of man!

_Enter SEWARD._

SEWARD.

Nought can the lovely suitor satisfy,
But conference with thee, and much I fear
Refusal would cause madness.

GENERAL.

Yet to admit,
To hear, be tortur'd, and refuse at last--

SEWARD.

Sure never man such spectacle of sorrow
Saw before. Motionless the rough-hewn soldiers
Silent view her, or walk aside and weep.

GENERAL [_after a pause_].

Admit her. [_SEWARD goes out._] Oh, for the art, the precious art,
To reconcile the sufferer to his sorrows!

[_HONORA rushes in, and throws herself wildly on her knees before him;
he endeavours to raise her._

HONORA.

Nay, nay, here is my place, or here, or lower,
Unless thou grant'st his life. All forms away!
Thus will I clasp thy knees, thus cling to thee.--
I am his wife--'tis I have ruin'd him--
Oh, save him! Give him to me! Let us cross
The mighty seas, far, far--ne'er to offend again.--
[_The GENERAL t