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84 "No, no! the time is past," her sad voice spoke; "But be thou tranquil, Heaven will give me strength, The Lord will shield me from that heaviest stroke. When here I came, I on the threshold swore Never to leave this tower, but for the grave. I wrestled with myself, and thou, my love, Thou, even thou, against the Lord wouldst aid me. Wouldst give back to the world a wretched phantom? Oh think! oh think! if madly I should give Myself to be persuaded, leave this cave And fall with rapture into thine embrace; But thou wouldst know not, neither welcome me, Avert thine eyes, and ask, with horror struck, 'What, is this fearful spectre fair Aldona?' And thou wouldst seek in this extinguished eye, And in this visage her—the thought is death! No, never let the poor recluse's woe Offend the beauty of the bright Aldona!

"Myself, I will confess, forgive me, love! Oft as the moon with brighter lustre gleams, Hearing thy voice, I hide behind these walls,