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By thine own fancy trac'd; look not upon it: All is not dreadful in the actual proof Which on th' approach frowns darkly. Rouse thy spirit; And be not unto me at this dark push My heaviest let; thou who should'st be my stay. (She groans heavily.) What means that heavy groan? I'll speak its meaning And say, that thou to nature's weakness hast The tribute paid, and now wilt rouse thyself To meet with noble firmness what perforce Must be; and to a lorn and luckless man, Who holds in this wide world but thou alone, Prove a firm, gen'rous, and heart-buoyant mate, In the dark hour. Do I not speak it rightly?

Thou dost, thou dost! if nature's weakness in me Would yield to the heart's will. (Falling on his neck in a burst of sorrow.)

My children, ye have been in woeful conference Too long: chide not my zeal that hither brings me To break upon it. On you both be shed Heav'n's pitying mercy!

Amen, good Father! thou dost call us children