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Is twined the dearest chord of my existence. Oh, words of misery! to call thee guilty! (Taking his hands and pressing them tenderly.) There has been blood upon these hands—I know it; But 'twas the blood of a fell enemy Who would have shed thy blood; and may I not Press them and bless thee still?

Thou precious creature! thy affection gleams Like sunshine through one solitary loophole, In a dark firmament of gather'd clouds, That gilds one spot of ocean, hill or plain, With brightness beautiful though circumscribed. Thou cheer'st my soul, and be thou also cheer'd! I must and I will save thy brother's life. And for that thou hast made my own so precious, I will be wary to preserve it also.

Yes, thou shalt live; for heaven has been thy help, Else thou couldst never, in so short a time, Have reach'd this shore again.

The gale was rough; the ship was driven back Upon the breakers of a rocky shore; But I swam stoutly, and, when quite exhausted, I caught a floating raft and gain'd the shore.