Opas. But Egilona.

Sis. Vainly she upbraids Roderigo.

Opas. She divorces him, abjures, And carries vengeance to that hideous highth Which piety and chastity would shrink To look from, on the world, or on themselves.

Sis. She may forgive him yet.

Opas. Ah Sisabert! Wretched are those a woman has forgiven; With her forgiveness ne’er hath love return’d: Ye know not, till too late, the filmy tie That holds heaven’s precious boon, eternally To those who fondly cherish her; once go Driven by mad passion, strike but at her peace, And, tho’ she step aside from broad reproach, p. 67Yet every softer virtue dies away. Beaming with virtue inaccessible Stood Egilona; for her lord she lived, And for the heavens that raised her sphere so high: All thoughts were on her—all, beside her own. Negligent as the blossoms of the field, Arrayed in candour and simplicity, Before her path she heard the streams of joy Murmur her name in all their cadences, Saw them in every scene, in light, in shade, Reflect her image—but acknowledged them Hers most complete when flowing from her most. All things in want of her, herself of none, Pomp and dominion lay beneath her feet Unfelt and unregarded: now behold The earthly passions war against the heavenly! Pride against love, ambition and revenge Against devotion and compliancy— Her glorious beams adversity hath blunted, And coming nearer to our quiet view p. 68The original clay of coarse mortality Hardens and flaws around her.

p. 67

p. 68

Sis. Every germ Of virtue perishes, when love recedes From those hot shifting sands, the female heart.

Opas. His was the fault; be his the punishment. ’Tis not their own crimes only, men commit, They harrow them into another’s breast, And they shall reap the bitter growth with pain.

[Sisabert, walking up and down, abstractedly.

Sis. Yes, blooming royalty will first attract These creatures of the desert—now I breathe More freely—she is theirs if I pursue The fugitive again—he well deserves The death he flies from—stay! don Julian twice Called him aloud, and he, methinks, replied. Could not I have remain’d a moment more, And seen the end? altho’ with hurried voice He bade me intercept the scattered foes, p. 69And hold the city barred to their return. May Egilona be another’s wife Whether he die or live! but oh!

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