Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/315

Rh just coming from you: your eyes seem bathed in tears.

Is he the enemy of our benefactor too? then indeed I wonder not at my aversion to him, even before he spoke.

And is he the cause of your tears, my Aglae?

No, Sophronimus, he can inspire nothing but hatred and disgust: my tears can flow for you alone.

For me? O gods, for me, who would repay them with my blood, for me who adore you, who hope to be beloved by Aglae, who only live for and would die for you? shall I reproach myself with having embittered one moment of your life? Aglae weeps, and Sophronimus is the cause. What have I done? what crime have I committed?

None, my Sophronimus: you could not do it: 'tis not in your nature. I wept because you merit all my tenderness, because you have it, and because I must renounce you.

What dreadful sentence have you pronounced against me? I cannot believe you: you love me, you said you did, and Aglae can never change. You have promised to be mine, you cannot wish my death.

No; I would have thee live and be happy: but,