When more arrived the lawful cause to aid; Then four determined men were seized and bound, And Robert in this desperate number found. 280 In prison fetter’d, he deplored his fate, And cursed the folly he perceived too late. James was a favourite with his lord—the zeal He show’d was such as masters ever feel; If he for vengeance on a culprit cried, Or if for mercy, still his lord complied; And now, ’twas said, he will for mercy plead, For his own brother’s was the guilty deed; True, the hurt man is in a mending way, But must be crippled to his dying day. 290 Now James had vow’d the law should take its course, He would not stay it, if he did not force; He could his witness, if he pleased, withdraw, Or he could arm with certain death the law. This he attested to the maid; and true, If this he could not, yet he much could do. How suffer’d then that maid—no thought she had, No view of days to come, that was not sad: As sad as life with all its hopes resign’d, As sad as ought but guilt can make mankind. 300 With bitter grief the pleasures she review’d } Of early hope, with innocence pursued, } When she began to love, and he was fond and good. } He now must die, she heard from every tongue— Die, and so thoughtless! perish, and so young! Brave, kind, and generous, tender, constant, true, And he must die—then will I perish too! A thousand acts in every age will prove Women are valiant in a cause they love; If fate the favour’d swain in danger place, 310} They heed not danger—perils they embrace; } They dare the world’s contempt, they brave their name’s disgrace; } They on the ocean meet its wild alarms; They search the dungeon with extended arms; The utmost trial of their faith they prove, And yield the lover to assert their love. James knew his power—his feelings were not nice— Mercy he sold, and she must pay the price: If his good lord forbore to urge their fate, And he the utmost of their guilt to state, 320 The felons might their forfeit lives redeem. And in their country’s cause regain esteem; But never more that man, whom he had shame To call his brother, must she see or name. Rachel was meek, but she had firmness too, And reason’d much on what she ought to do. In Robert’s place, she knew what she should choose— But life was not the thing she fear’d to lose. She knew that she could not their contract break, Nor for her life a new engagement make; 330 But he was man, and guilty—death so near Might not to his as to her mind appear; And he might wish, to spare that forfeit life. The maid he loved might be his brother’s wife, Although that brother was his bitter foe, And he must all the sweets of life forego. This would she try—intent on this alone, She could assume a calm and settled tone; She spake with firmness—“I will Robert see,