Part 45 (2/2)

Among the beggars and cripples hide thee; And so, though even G.o.d forgive, On earth a d.a.m.ned existence live!

MARTHA

Commend your soul to G.o.d for pardon, That you your heart with slander harden!

VALENTINE

Thou pimp most infamous, be still!

Could I thy withered body kill, 'Twould bring, for all my sinful pleasure, Forgiveness in the richest measure.

MARGARET

My brother! This is h.e.l.l's own pain!

VALENTINE

I tell thee, from thy tears refrain!

When thou from honor didst depart It stabbed me to the very heart.

Now through the slumber of the grave I go to G.o.d as a soldier brave.

(Dies.)

XX

CATHEDRAL

SERVICE, ORGAN and ANTHEM.

(MARGARET among much people: the EVIL SPIRIT behind MARGARET.)

EVIL SPIRIT

HOW otherwise was it, Margaret, When thou, still innocent, Here to the altar cam'st, And from the worn and fingered book Thy prayers didst prattle, Half sport of childhood, Half G.o.d within thee!

Margaret!

Where tends thy thought?

Within thy bosom What hidden crime?

Pray'st thou for mercy on thy mother's soul, That fell asleep to long, long torment, and through thee?

Upon thy threshold whose the blood?

And stirreth not and quickens Something beneath thy heart, Thy life disquieting With most foreboding presence?

MARGARET

Woe! woe!

Would I were free from the thoughts That cross me, drawing hither and thither Despite me!

CHORUS

Diesira, dies illa, Solvet soeclum in favilla!

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