Know what he wishes, and what I must be;” 340 For James had now discover’d to the maid His inmost heart, and how he must be paid, If he his lord would soften, and would hide The facts that must the culprit’s fate decide. “Go not,” he said—for she her full intent Proclaime’d——To go she purposed, and she went; She took a guide, and went with purpose stern The secret wishes of her friend to learn. She saw him fetter’d, full of grief, alone, Still as the dead, and he suppress’d a groan 350 At her appearance——Now she pray’d for strength, And the sad couple could converse at length. It was a scene that shook her to repeat— Life fought with love, both powerful, and both sweet. “Wilt thou die, Robert, or preserve thy life? Shall I be thine own maid, or James’s wife?”— “His wife!—No!—Never will I thee resign— No, Rachel, no!”——“Then am I ever thine: I know thee rash and guilty—but to thee I pledged my vow, and thine will ever be. 360 Yet think again—the life that God has lent Is thine, but not to cast away—Consent, If ’tis thy wish; for this I made my way To thy distress—Command, and I obey.” “Perhaps my brother may have gain’d thy heart?”— Then why this visit, if I wish’d to part? Was it, ah, man ungrateful! wise to make Effort like this, to hazard for thy sake A spotless reputation, and to be A suppliant to that stern man for thee? 370 But I forgive—thy spirit has been tried, And thou art weak; but still thou must decide. “I ask’d thy brother, ‘James, would’st thou command, Without the loving heart, the obedient hand?’ I ask thee, Robert, lover, canst thou part With this poor hand, when master of the heart? He answer’d, ‘Yes!’—I tarry thy reply, Resign’d with him to live, content with thee to die.” Assured of this, with spirits low and tame: Here, life so purchased—there, a death of shame; 380 Death, once his merriment, but now his dread— And he with terror thought upon the dead: “[Oh]! sure ’tis better to endure the care And pain of life, than go we know not where!— And is there not the dreaded hell for sin, Or is it only this I feel within, That, if it lasted, no man would sustain, But would by any change relieve the pain? Forgive me, love! it is a loathsome thing } To live not thine; but still this dreaded sting 390} Of death torments me—I to nature cling—— } Go, and be his—but love him not, be sure— Go, love him not—and I will life endure: He, too, is mortal!”——Rachel deeply sigh’d, } But would no more converse: she had complied, } And was no longer free—she was his brother’s bride. } “Farewell!” she said, with kindness, but not fond, Feeling the pressure of the recent bond, And put her tenderness apart to give Advice to one who so desired to live. 400 She then departed, join’d the attending guide, Reflected—wept—was sad—was satisfied.