_Seb._ Beware of death! thou canst not die unperjured, And leave an unaccomplished love behind. Thy vows are mine; nor will I quit my claim: The ties of minds are but imperfect bonds, Unless the bodies join to seal the contract.
_Alm._ What joys can you possess, or can I give, Where groans of death succeed the sighs of love? Our Hymen has not on his saffron robe; But, muffled up in mourning, downward holds His drooping torch, extinguished with his tears.
_Seb._ The God of Love stands ready to revive it, With his etherial breath.
_Alm._ 'Tis late to join, when we must part so soon.
_Seb._ Nay, rather let us haste it, ere we part; Our souls, for want of that acquaintance here, May wander in the starry walks above, And, forced on worse companions, miss ourselves.
_Alm._ The tyrant will not long be absent hence; And soon I shall be ravished from your arms.
_Seb._ Wilt thou thyself become the greater tyrant, And give not love, while thou hast love to give? In dangerous days, when riches are a crime, The wise betimes make over their estates: Make o'er thy honour, by a deed of trust, And give me seizure of the mighty wealth.
_Alm._ What shall I do? O teach me to refuse! I would,--and yet I tremble at the grant; For dire presages fright my soul by day, And boding visions haunt my nightly dreams; Sometimes, methinks, I hear the groans of ghosts, Thin, hollow sounds, and lamentable screams; Then, like a dying echo, from afar, My mother's voice, that cries,--Wed not, Almeyda! Forewarned, Almeyda, marriage is thy crime.
_Seb._ Some envious demon to delude our joys; Love is not sin, but where 'tis sinful love.
_Alm._ Mine is a flame so holy and so clear, That the white taper leaves no soot behind; No smoke of lust; but chaste as sisters' love, When coldly they return a brother's kiss, Without the zeal that meets at lovers' mouths[3].
_Seb._ Laugh then at fond presages. I had some;-- Famed Nostradamus, when he took my horoscope, Foretold my father, I should wed with incest. Ere this unhappy war my mother died, And sisters I had none;--vain augury! A long religious life, a holy age, My stars assigned me too;--impossible! For how can incest suit with holiness, Or priestly orders with a princely state?