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Rh

I've shared thy love, been in thy bosom cherish'd, But come not near me! touch me not! the earth Yawning beneath my feet will shelter me From thine accursed hand.

O Margaret! Can gentlest love to such fierce detestation Be in an instant changed, for one sad deed, The hasty act of a most horrid moment, When hell and strong temptation master'd me? And yet why marvel? for thou canst not more Detest that deed than I, the wretched doer.

Ah, ah! why didst thou?

Listen to my story. But, oh! the while, unfasten from my face Those looks of horror, else I cannot tell it.

Speak then, I hear thee.

Thou know'st too well with what fierce pride Ulrico Refused, on thy behalf, my suit of love; Deeming a soldier, though of noble birth, Ev'n his own blood, possessing but his arms And some slight wreaths of fame, a match unmeet For one whom lords of princely territory