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1839.] :Aur.Hear me out. I cannot so attend thee—noon and eve Thy near companion be; but I have heard That, near the sacred houses of your Order, Convents of maids devout in Holy Land Establish'd are—maids who in deeds of charity To pilgrims and to all in warfare maim'd, In sacred warfare for the holy cross, Are deem'd the humble partners of your zeal.
 * Erm. Aye, such there are; but what availeth this?
 * Aur. There will I dwell, a vow'd and humble sister.

We shall not far be sever'd. The same winds That do o' nights through your still cloisters sigh, Our quiet cells visiting with mournful harmony, Shall lull my pillow too. Our window'd towers Shall sometimes show me on the neighbouring plains, Amidst thy brave companions, thy mail'd form Crested with glory, on thy pawing steed Returning from the wars. And when at last Thou art in sickness laid—who will forbid The dear sad pleasure?—like a holy bride I'll by thy death-bed stand, and look to heaven, Where all bless'd union is. O! at the thought, Methinks this span of life to nothing shrinks, And we are bless'd already. Thou art silent: Dost thou despise my words?
 * Erm. O no! speak to me thus: say what thou wilt:

I am subdued. And yet these bursting tears! My heart is rent in twain: I fear—I fear I am rebellious still. [Kneeling, and taking both her hands between his, and kissing them with great devotion. School me or chide me now: do what thou wilt: I am resign'd and humble."

Remember, if you can, that is not a Tragedy; therefore it ends not in separation of loving hearts in the cloister, or the grave. The Legate—for Joanna, like her master, Shakspeare, loves to show Christianity in any creed sincerely embraced—takes Aurora under his own guardian care,

orders Ulrick, whom he sees through, to give account of his wardship to him who holds the See; and says to Sir Ermingard

Ermingard and Aurora both embrace the Legate's knees, who raises them up gently—and says to Aurora—

Spenser—Collins—Cowper—Campbell—Joanna Baillie—for a while farewell!