Page:The Siege of Valencia.pdf/229

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Canst thou forgive? —Oh, I have driven the arrow to thy heart, That should have buried it within mine own, And borne the pang in silence!—I have cast Thy life's fair honour, in my wild despair, As an unvalued gem upon the waves, Whence thou hast snatch'd it back, to bear from earth. All stainless, on thy breast.—Well hast thou done— But I—canst thou forgive?

Within this hour I have stood upon that verge whence mortals fall, And learn'd how 'tis with one whose sight grows dim, And whose foot trembles on the gulf's dark side, —Death purifies all feeling—We will part In pity and in love.

Death!—And thou too Art on thy way!—Oh, joy for thee, high heart! Glory and joy for thee!—The day is closed, And well and nobly hast thou borne thyself Through its long battle-toils, though many swords Have enter'd thine own soul!—But on my head