Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/171

 Whose fiery breath fans every passion's flame, Whose very spirit fosters violence. Where lends the name of foe a welcome pretext To every crime, to robbery and rape, Where oft the reins of rigid discipline Must purposely be slackened to incite The animal propensities of man,— A woman, void of every guardian's care, A woman, known to be an enemy, Inevitably must fall a luckless victim To wicked lust— [Falls on her knees, and imploringly holds up her hands.] Oh, spare my womanhood! [Continuing his speech.] And be the abject property of all! [Struggling on her knees.] Knave! Fiend! now first stand'st revealed to me In thy true light! Hast thou no fear of Heaven, Of retribution in the Life hereafter? [Sneeringly.] That knave, that fiend rejoices in his power, And mocks the scorn of idle impotence,