And call’d it spirit--Oh! I might have found Fraud and imposture--all the kindred round! A nest of vipers”---- “Sir, I’ll not admit These wild effusions of your angry wit: Have you that value, that we all should use Such mighty arts for such important views? Are you such prize--and is my state so fair, That they should sell their souls to get me there? Think you that we alone our thoughts disguise? } 300 When in pursuit of some contended prize, } Mask we alone the heart, and soothe whom we despise? } Speak you of craft and subtle schemes, who know That all your wealth you to deception owe; Who play’d for ten dull years a scoundrel-part, To worm yourself into a widow’s heart? Now, when you guarded, with superior skill, That lady’s closet, and preserved her will, Blind in your craft, you saw not one of those Opposed by you might you in turn oppose; 310 Or watch your motions, and by art obtain Share of that wealth you gave your peace to gain? Did conscience never”---- “Cease, Tormentor, cease-- Or reach me poison--let me rest in peace!” “Agreed--but hear me--let the truth appear”-- “Then state your purpose--I’ll be calm and hear”-- “Know then, this wealth, sole object of your care, I had some right, without your hand, to share; My mother’s claim was just--but soon she saw Your power, compell’d, insulted, to withdraw: 320 ’Twas then my father, in his anger, swore You should divide the fortune, or restore; Long we debated--and you find me now Heroic victim to a father’s vow; Like Jephtha’s daughter, but in different state, And both decreed to mourn our early fate; Hence was my brother servant to your pride, Vengeance made him your slave--and me your bride. Now all is known--a dreadful price I pay For our revenge--but still we have our day; 330 All that you love you must with others share, Or all you dread from their resentment dare! Yet terms I offer--let contention cease: Divide the spoil, and let us part in peace.” Our hero trembling heard--he sat--he rose-- Nor could his motions nor his mind compose; He paced the room--and, stalking to her side, } Gazed on the face of his undaunted bride; } And nothing there but scorn and calm aversion spied. } He would have vengeance, yet he fear’d the law: 340 Her friends would threaten, and their power he saw; “Then let her go;”--but oh! a mighty sum Would that demand, since he had let her come; Nor from his sorrows could he find redress, Save that which led him to a like distress, And all his ease was in his wife to see A wretch as anxious and distress’d as he. Her strongest wish, the fortune to divide And part in peace, his avarice denied;