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And friendship, filial duty, every tie Defrauds thy husband of his dear-earned rights, (After pacing again through the room as before.) I am a fool! I knew the heart of woman— Knew what she had to give, and, Oh! too well, What might, at price of many an inward pang, To her be given; yet, ne'ertheless, forsooth!

What art thou mutt'ring? Murmurs at thy lot! Were these the words I heard thee utter now In such a smother'd voice? With fair Zorada Within that lot comprised, would'st thou exchange it For any other man's?

No; not for his who fills th' imperial throne.

What ails thee, then, possessing such a treasure?

Ay, if I did possess it.

Dost thou not?

The heart I do not. Call ye it possessing, When any tie of friendship or of nature Crosses the vows which she has given to love?