And if I strike my damp and dizzy head, me By a dark secret, surer than the grave; Her mother scared and unexpostulating 150 From the dread manner of her wish achieved; And she! Once more take courage, my faint heart; What dares a friendless maiden matched with thee? I have such foresight as assures success. To black suggestions; and be prospers best, Not who becomes the instrument of ill, But who can flatter the dark spirit that makes Its empire and its prey of other hearts 160 Till it become his slave-as I will do. Is changed to vapors such as the dead breathe In charnel-pits! Pah! I am choked! A clinging, black, contaminating mist No, I am dead! These putrefying limbs (A pause) What hideous thought was that I had even now? 29 'Tis gone; and yet its burden remains here O'er these dull eyes - upon this weary heart! O world! O life! O day! O misery! 110 Is like a ghost shrouded and folded up My misery; if another ever knew ORSINO And what is he who has thus injured you? BEATRICE The man they call my father; a dread name. Death, death! our law and our religion It cannot be — ORSINO BEATRICE What it can be, or not, It is, and it has been; shall not be again. I thought to die; but a religious awe Restrains me, and the dread lest death itself 149 Might be no refuge from the consciousness Of what is yet unexpiated. Oh, speak! ORSINO Accuse him of the deed, and let the law Avenge thee. BEATRICE Oh, ice-hearted counsellor ! If I could find a word that might make known The crime of my destroyer; and that done, My tongue should like a knife tear out the secret Which cankers my heart's core; ay, lay all bare, So that my unpolluted fame should be done, 160 Think of the offender's gold, his dreaded hate, And the strange horror of the accuser's tale, Baffling belief, and overpowering speech; Scarce whispered, unimaginable, wrapped In hideous hints - Oh, most assured redress ! ORSINO You will endure it then? BEATRICE Endure! Orsino, It seems your counsel is small profit. (Turns from him, and speaks half to herself) Ay, All must be suddenly resolved and done. |