Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/164

Rh

To mitigate thy anguish. Oh, I fear Our parting is eternal. If in Heaven The virtuous mother who had left on earth A much-loved child, should seek it vainly 'mid The new-created angels, Veronica, where Would be her Paradise? 'Tis past, 'tis fled; My only hope is melted into air, Expect not, ask me not to live, Geraldi, I never can survive thee. Heaven avert This frightful visitation of my crime, For mine will be the sin, and at my hands The souls that I to evil lead, be claimed— If they would let thee live, my own Geraldi, Even in this gloomy dungeon, I would bless My destiny, and never ask again