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Rh

It is not want of confidence in thee Which makes us so reserved; urge no further.

Nay, but I will; for ye conceal from me Some recent and disastrous event To spare me pain. But ye mistake your aim. Incertainty is aggravated pain. Is he a ruin'd man? then I am ready With heart and hand to sooth his poverty. Is he proscribed by law? then I am ready My country to abandon for his sake. Say any thing, and I will bear it firmly And meekly as I may.

My dearest love, I thought to have parted from thee With brighter omens of a glad return: But now thou weep'st, because the very day Of my return is doubtful. If I stay Two weeks or three weeks longer than we reckoned, Shall I not still be welcome?

O, mock me not with weeks! thou knowest well No time can make thee otherwise than welcome; To me most dearly welcome. Keep thy mysterious secret, if thou must; But make amends by swearing on this hand