Page:Castruccio Castrucani.pdf/56

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Which thou hast rescued; it must be for good: Life's sweetest hopes return again with thee. Mine once again—my own, long lost Claricha! This very evening I reproach'd my fate; To meet thee still the beautiful, the true, And yet resign thee, was too hard a task! I question'd with my honour, and I falter'd In the stern path of right: but I am now So happy, my Claricha!

Would I might ever make thy happiness!

One word—where does my sweet one make her home?

With Count Arrezi.

With mine enemy!

No longer such; henceforward bound to thee By a free pardon.

I cannot pardon him.

Not pardon him, Castruccio, for my sake?

I cannot pardon him for Lucca's sake!

One moment hear me: oh! Castruccio, think How kind the count has been; my one true friend! An orphan—pity was my only claim;