Theod. Can I doubt it? Aust. Think what my bosom suffers, when I tell thee, It must not, cannot be. Theod. My love for Adelaide! Aust. Deem it delicious poison; dash it from thee: Thy bane is in the cup. Theod. O bid me rather Tear out my throbbing heart; I'd think it mercy, To this unjust, this cruel interdiction. That proud, unfeeling Narbonne, from his lips Well might such words have fallen;—but thou, my father—— [pg 39] [pg 39] Aust. And fond, as ever own'd that tender name. Not I, my son, not I prevent this union, To me 'tis bitterness to cross thy wish, But nature, fate, and Heaven, all, all forbid it. We must withdraw, where Heaven alone can hear us: Then must thou stretch thy soul's best faculties; Call every manly principle to steel thee;