Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/64
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THE MYSTERIOUS MOTHER.
Lamentations ill become us,
When the good are ravish'd from us.
The pangs of death but smooth the way
To visions of eternal day.
When the good are ravish'd from us.
The pangs of death but smooth the way
To visions of eternal day.
BENEDICT. [Aside to Martin.
Now, man of aspin conscience! lo! the gods,
That sentence Benedict's unholy purpose!
Art thou a priest? Wast thou initiated
In each fond mummery that subdues the vulgar,
And standest thou appall'd at our own thunders?
Now, man of aspin conscience! lo! the gods,
That sentence Benedict's unholy purpose!
Art thou a priest? Wast thou initiated
In each fond mummery that subdues the vulgar,
And standest thou appall'd at our own thunders?
MARTIN.
Who trembled first? It was thy guilty conscience
That gave th' alarm to mine.
Who trembled first? It was thy guilty conscience
That gave th' alarm to mine.
BENEDICT.
Peace, dotard, peace!
Nor when the lamb is nigh, must eagles wrangle.
Fair saint, give us to know why flow these tears;
[To Adeliza.
Why sighs that gentle bosom; and why chant ye
That heav'n-invoking soul-dissolving dirge?
Peace, dotard, peace!
Nor when the lamb is nigh, must eagles wrangle.
Fair saint, give us to know why flow these tears;
[To Adeliza.
Why sighs that gentle bosom; and why chant ye
That heav'n-invoking soul-dissolving dirge?
ADELIZA.
Ah! holy father, art thou then to learn
The pious abbess is at peace? We go
To bear her parting blessing to the Countess.
Ah! holy father, art thou then to learn
The pious abbess is at peace? We go
To bear her parting blessing to the Countess.
BENEDICT.
It must not be. Occasions of much import
Engross her faculties. By me she wills you
Restrain your steps within the cloyster's pale,
Nor grant access but to one stranger knight.
It must not be. Occasions of much import
Engross her faculties. By me she wills you
Restrain your steps within the cloyster's pale,
Nor grant access but to one stranger knight.
ADELIZA.
Is't possible? Can my dear mistress bar
Her faithful handmaid from her gracious presence?
Is't possible? Can my dear mistress bar
Her faithful handmaid from her gracious presence?
Shall