Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/69

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My dwelling place the nailed coffin; still I would prefer it to the living Lord Your goodness offers me.

Hugh.Art thou bewitch'd? Is he not young; well featured and well form'd? And dost thou put him in thy estimation With bones and sheeted clay? Beyond endurance is thy stubborn spirit. Right well thy father knew that all thy sex Stubborn and headstrong are; therefore, in wisdom, He vested me with power that might compel thee To what he will'd should be.

Or.O not in wisdom! Say rather in that weak, but gen'rous faith, Which said to him, the cope of heaven would fall And smother in its cradle his swath'd babe, Rather than thou, his mate in arms, his kinsman, Who by his side in many a field had fought, Should'st take advantage of his confidence For sordid ends.— My brave and noble father! A voice comes from thy grave and cries against it, And bids me to be bold. Thine awful form Rises before me,—and that look of anguish On thy dark brow!—O no! I blame thee not.

Hugh. Thou seem'st beside thyself with such wild gestures