Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/342

304 To avenge that fall, and bring them back to power.

Such are their hopes—I ask not if by thee

Willingly fed or no—their most vain hopes;

For I have kept conspiracy fast-chain'd

Till now, and I have strength to chain it still.

But, Merope, the years advance;—I stand

Upon the threshold of old age, alone,

Always in arms, always in face of foes.

The long repressive attitude of rule

Leaves me austerer, sterner, than I would;

Old age is more suspicious than the free

And valiant heart of youth, or manhood's firm

Unclouded reason; I would not decline

Into a jealous tyrant, scourged with fears,

Closing in blood and gloom his sullen reign.

The cares which might in me with time, I feel,

Beget a cruel temper, help me quell!

The breach between our parties help me close!

Assist me to rule mildly; let us join

Our hands in solemn union, making friends

Our factions with the friendship of their chiefs.

Let us in marriage, King and Queen, unite

Claims ever hostile else, and set thy son—

No more an exile fed on empty hopes,

And to an unsubstantial title heir,

But prince adopted by the will of power,

And future king—before this people's eyes.

Consider him! consider not old hates!

Consider, too, this people, who were dear

To their dead king, thy husband—yea, too dear,

For that destroy'd him. Give them peace! thou canst.

O Merope, how many noble thoughts,

How many precious feelings of man's heart,

How many loves, how many gratitudes,