O task ungrateful to my gentle mind! Well did he say, 'Be cruel to be kind!' The people I defy, ah, let them rage! Severus may in war of words engage. Yes, I have saved myself--I mean _the State_, To wilful man there comes relentless fate; My conscience pure of all reproach,--for I Have lied and stormed to shake his constancy. To give his hot young blood due time to cool I played the coward--nay, I played the fool! Why did he thus assail the gods and me With insult, and with horrid blasphemy? But interest helped me, and resentment too. Else had I found my duty hard to do! ALBIN. Soon mayst thou this thy dear-bought victory rue, For thou hast done what thou canst ne'er undo! Unworthy deed for Roman knight! ah, me! (Aside.) I would that I could add, 'unworthy _thee_!' FELIX. Manlius and Brutus both a son have slain, And neither did thereby his glory stain; The part that is diseased--that part we bleed, So is the State from knaves and caitiffs freed. ALBIN. Revenge and pressing peril thee unman, Else--couldst thou bless a deed all men must ban? When she, thy widowed daughter, comes--the air Of heaven will echo to her deep despair! FELIX. Thou dost remind me she with Polyeucte went-- I know not with what mind, with what intent: But her despair awakes my fond alarm, Go, Albin, go, and guard my child from harm! She might the execution of the law Impede: I would not that his death she saw. Try to console her--Go! what dost thou fear? (Enter Pauline) ALBIN. I need not go, for ah--Pauline is here!