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Rh

Ha! thou speak'st cheerly now; and thy changed voice Is a good omen. Dost thou not remember How once in play I bound thy stripling limbs With braided reeds, as a mock criminal? We little thoughtAnother link is conquer'd; And one alone remains. (Tries to unloose it.) But it is stubborn. Oh, if that I should now lack needed strength! Vile, hateful link, give way!

And thou art here, thou most rebellious woman! A faithful spy had given me notice of it, And yet, methought, it was impossible Thou could'st be so rebellious, so bereft Of female honour, matronly allegiance.

Upbraid me not, my lord; I've at your feet Implored you to relent and spare his life, The last shoot of my father's honour'd house. But thou, with unrelenting tyranny, Hast chid me from thee.—Matronly allegiance, Ev'n in a favour'd and beloved wife,