"But still this man pursued me, and I held Firm to my vow, albeit I loved him still, Unknown to all, with all the love unquelled Of first impressions, and against my will. At last despair of winning me compelled Him to the oath he swore: He would not kill, But take me living and would make my life A living death. No man should make me wife.
"The war, that now consumes us, did, indeed, Give him occasion.--I had not been warned, When down he came against me in the lead Of his marauders. With thy help I scorned His mad attacks two days. I would not plead Nor parley with him, who came hoofed and horned, Like Satan's self in soul, and, with Hell's aid, Took this strong house and kept the oath he made.
"Months passed. Alas! it needs not here to tell What often thou hast heard: Of how he led His ruffians here now there; or what befell Me of dishonor. Oft I wished me dead, Loathing my life,--than which the nether Hell Hath less of horror!--So we fought or fled From place to place until a year had passed, And Parliament forces hemmed us in at last.
"Yea, I had only lived for this--to right With death my wrongs sometime. And love and hate Contended in my bosom when, that night Before the fight that should decide our fate, I entered where he slept. There was no light Save of the stars to see by. Long and late I leaned above him there, yet could not kill-- Hate raised the dagger but love held it still.
"The woman in me conquered. What a slave To our emotions are we! To relent At this long-waited moment!--Wave on wave Of pitying weakness swept me, and I bent-- And kissed his face. Then prayed to God; and gave My trust to God; and left to God th' event.-- I never looked on Rupert's face again, For in the morning's combat--he was slain.
"Out of defeat escaped some scant three score Of all his followers. And night and day We fled; and while the Roundheads pressed us sore, And in our road, good as a fortress, lay The Moated Manse,--where our three-score or more Might well hold out,--I pointed them the way. And we are come, amid its wrecks to end The crime begun here.--Thou must go, my friend!
"Go quickly! For the time approaches when Destruction must arrive.--Oh, well I know All thou wouldst say to me.--What boots it then?-- I tell thee thou must go! that thou must go!-- Yea, dost thou think I'd have thee die 'mid men Like these, for such an one as I?--No! no!-- Thy life is clean. Thou shalt not cast away Thy clean life for my soiled one!" ... "I will stay!"