And vie for preference with devils themselves. AMESTRIS re-enters. Mem. We must return, we cannot pass that way. Am. The doors are guarded, fate has clos'd me round. Arta. Ha! art thou my Amestris ? Mem. Oh, my daughter! [They run to her. Am. Are ye then come at last to bless my eyes, Which could not close without one parting view ? Oh, hold me, or I sink. Mem. Alas! my child! Arta. My cruel fears! why art thou pale and faint? Ha! whence this blood? Oh! killing spectacle ! Am. Forth from my heart the crimson river flows, My lavish heart, that hastily consumes Its small remain of life. Oh, lay me gently Must shortly be the place of my long rest. Mem. What have we done? or, Oh! if we have sinned, What has thy innocence done to merit this! Am. That villain Mirza Mem. Ha!" say, what of him ?” Am. Offer'd most brutal outrage to my honour. Could you look on unmov'd? But say, instruct me, Am. Sure 't was some chaster power that made me bold, And taught my trembling hand to find the way Mem. Thou art my daughter still! Oh, noble action! That gives death an interval of joy. Am. Just in that hour of fate a villain entered, Arta. "'Tis past, 'tis past, [Lying down. -Oh, no; "And all those fires that lighted up my soul, Am. Alas! my lord, "Fain would I strive to bid you not be sad," For we have lov'd too well. "Oh, mournful nuptials! What shall I say? What shall I do to save thee? Run gushing through my eyes: Oh, my Amestris! Mem. I try'd to man my heart, But could not stand the buffet of this tempest. Arta. Thou hast; my heart, Dost thou yet hold? Am. Say, will you not forget me, When I am laid to moulder in my tomb? 'Tis sure you will not, still there will be room For my remembrance in your noble heart; "I know you lov'd me truly." Now I faint. Oh, shield me, shield me from that ugly phantom, The cave of death! how dark and deep it is? I tremble at the sight—'t is hideous horror! The gloom grows o'er me-let me not lie there. [Amestris dies. Arta. There life gave way, and the last rosy breath Went in that sigh. "Death like a brutal victor, "Already enter'd, with rude haste defaces "The lovely frame he 'as master'd; see how soon "These starry eyes have lost their light and lustre ! "Stay, let me close their lids." Now for rest; |