Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/30

26 Strength to my pride, and I could live and smile;

But part not from me with the cruel charge

That I am the one perjured."

The stern man

Was softened for a moment, and he took

Those clasped hands in his own, and pressed a kiss

Upon the cold, white brow, and laid her head

Again upon his bosom. But the touch

Recalled his iron will. "Nay, Eloise,

Why should I trust thee? Has not all the world

Learned this before I murmured, while I was

The dupe of my own blindness? Do not think

I stoop to breathe reproaches. Never waste

A thought upon my fortunes; for I give

My heart henceforward to ambition's race,

And worship fame alone. Beauty's wiles

Shall never stay my footsteps—men shall be

The instruments of greatness to myself,

And I'll forget that ever I did dream

This vain and broken fancy of first love."

As if an adder coiled about her form,

She started from his arms. "Alberto, hear!

You charge my soul with falsehood for no cause

Save the world's idle babble; cruelly

You break asunder every tie that binds

My very life to yours. I will not say

Again that I am innocent, but turn

Your charge upon yourself; for never love

Coldly and calmly thus relinquished love.

I know the bane that has distilled this ruin.

Go, give your manhood to it! and when age

Comes with its weary heart and feeble pulse,

Weigh then what you have gained against your loss;

I can divine the balance. Go; farewell!"

Alberto gazed upon that hueless face,

With the dark, passionate eyes now bright with scorn,