Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/164

160 2d Cit. They do believe them not so liable

To mortal ailments as most other men,

Who yield them to their natures.

1st Cit.May they not

Have passions as us sinners, only hidden,

And kept down by hard penance? and may not

The very suppression of a mighty nature

Make monks mad, like all other men?

2d Cit.The world

Hath whispered such may be the cause; and this

Hath reached the church, who liketh not to bear

The imputation of such weaknesses,

And it is said the maniac will be tried.

1st Cit. Is he in Rome?

2d Cit.At present he is not,

And I believe he has long lived alone,

Shunning both church and world.

1st Cit.And this is why

They think him void of reason? he may prove

Too cunning for them yet—thinkest thou not so?

2d Cit. 'Tis true, there may be "method in his madness;"

But I have business in the public mart.

Alvernon. (Soliloquizing.) This news affects me, yet I know not why;

But ever when I think on Azlea,

Like a disturbing vision, Hermon rises,

And darkens the sweet picture with his shade.

Oh, I must hasten. As an invisible chain,

A strange desire, like a presentiment,

Hurries me to thy side, my Azlea.