My wife was touched, and he went smiling forth.

And when I knew the impression he had made,

And felt my wife insult with silent scorn My ardent truth, and look averse and cold, I went forth too; but soon returned again; Yet not so soon but that my wife had taught My children her harsh thoughts, and they all cried,

'Give us clothes, father! Give us better food!

What you in one night squander were enough For months!'

I looked, and saw that

home was hell.
And to that hell will I return no more,
Until mine enemy has rendered up
Atonement, or, as he gave life to me,
I will, reversing Nature's law

ORSINO

330

How to excuse or to conceal. Nay, listen; All is contrived; success is so assured That

GIACOMO

Is he dead?

Enter BEATRICE

BEATRICE

ORSINO

His grave is ready. Know that since we

met

'Tis my brother's voice! You know me not?

GIACOMO

380

Lost indeed!

I see Orsino has talked with you, and
That you conjecture things too horrible
To speak, yet far less than the truth. Now
stay not,

He might return; yet kiss me; I shall

know

That then thou hast consented to his death.
Farewell, farewell! Let piety to God,
Brotherly love, justice and clemency,
And all things that make tender hardest

hearts,

Make thine hard, brother. Answer not farewell.

360

SCENE II.

390

[Exeunt severally.

A mean Apartment in GIACOMO'S House. GIACOMO alone.

GIACOMO

'Tis midnight, and Orsino comes not yet. (Thunder, and the sound of a storm)

What! can the everlasting elements Feel with a worm like man? If so, the shaft

Of mercy-winged lightning would not fall On stones and trees. My wife and children sleep;

They are now living in unmeaning dreams; But I must wake, still doubting if that deed

Be just which was most necessary. Oh, Thou unreplenished lamp, whose narrow

fire

9

SHE comes not; yet I left her even now Vanquished and faint. She knows the penalty

Of her delay; yet what if threats are vain?
Am I not now within Petrella's moat?
Or fear I still the eyes and ears of Rome?
Might I not drag her by the golden hair?
Stamp on her? keep her sleepless till her
brain

Be overworn? tame her with chains and famine ?

Less would suffice. Yet so to leave undone

What I most seek! No, 't is her stubborn