LUIS. With quicker speed your story tell, For well I know my soul hath need That I should go with swifter speed! POLONIA. And me it doth import as well That you should go away. LUIS. Agreed. Now, woman, point the way to where my path doth lead. POLONIA. No one accompanied can brave The terrors of this gloomy lake; And so a skiff you needs must take, And try alone the icy wave; Being in that most trying strait The absolute master of your acts and fate. Come where within a secret cave Beside the shore the boat doth lie, And trusting in the Lord on high, Embark upon the crystal wave Of this remote lone inland sea. LUIS. My life and all I have I place, O Lord! in Thee. And so I trust me to the bark; But, O my soul! what sight is here, A coffin doth the bark appear; And I upon the waters dark Alone must cross the icy tide. [He enters. POLONIA. Oh! turn not back, but follow and confide LUIS [within]. I've conquered! sweet Polonia's shade, Since sight of thee has not undone My shuddering soul. POLONIA. And I have won, Here in this Babylon delayed, O'er wrath and rage the victory. LUIS [within]. Thy feigned resemblance does not frighten me, Though thou dost take a form Might tempt my steps astray And make me turn despairing from my way. POLONIA. Thy fear doth badly thee inform, Poor to be brave and rich to be afraid, For I Polonia am, and not her shade, The same that thou didst slay, But who by God's decree Restored to life, even in this misery, Is happier far to-day. LUIS [within]. Since I my sinful state Confess, and feel too well its fearful weight, Thy wrong, oh, pardon too! POLONIA. I give it, and approve of thy design. LUIS [within]. My faith, at least, I never will resign. POLONIA. That grace will be thy safeguard. LUIS [within]. Then, adieu! POLONIA. Adieu! LUIS [within]. May God in pity save. POLONIA. And bring thee back victorious from the cave. * * * * * SCENE VIII. THE ENTRANCE OF A CONVENT -- AT THE END THE CAVE OF PATRICK. Two Canons Regular; afterwards Luis. FIRST CANON. See, the waters of the lake Move although no breeze doth blow:* Without doubt to-day some pilgrim Roweth to this island shore. [footnote] *Single asonante in the long accented o, which is kept up to the end of the Scene. SECOND CANON. Come unto the strand to see Who can be so brave and bold As to seek our gloomy dwelling, Crossing the dark waters o'er.