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That fades away to silence,—surely this Thou dost not covet for me.

Ah, I do! Yet, granting here I err, didst thou not promise To seek in wedded love and active duties Thy share of cheerful weal?—and dost thou now Shrink from thy gen'rous promise?—No, thou shalt not. I hold thee bound—I claim it of thee boldly. It is my right. If thou, in sad seclusion, A lonely wanderer art, thou dost extinguish The ray that should have cheer'd my gloom: thou makest What else had been a calm and temper'd sorrow, A state of wretchedness.—O no! thou wilt not! Take to thy gen'rous heart some virtuous maid, And doubt not thou a kindred heart wilt find, The cheerful tenderness of woman's nature To thine is suited, and when join'd to thee, Will grow in virtue :—Take thou then this ring, If thou wilt honour so my humble gift, And put it on her hand; and be assured She who shall wear it,—she whose happy fate Is link'd with thine, will prove a noble mate.