Britain ... - Blue-Lite

414 THE VARANGIAN. [Act V.
All female weakness from me.
I would not, Hereward, for all the bliss
Thy tenderness can yield, could it with youth
Be lengthened out to ages, have one spot,
One shade of baseness on thy sun-bright honour.
Die nobly ! die, as thou hast ever lived.
The flower of chivalry, the pride of song,
The glory of thine Order and thy country !
This guard of innocence, thy gift, shall ope
The gate of peace where tyrants never come !
No other way was there for swift escape
[Stabs herself.
From sufferings mortal strength could not sustain,
And reason keep her seat. Farewell but some
Brief moments, and our souls shall be united
Never to part again my lord my husband ! [Dies.
HEREWARD.
My brave Ionian love ! Now, tyrant, bid
Thy slaves conduct me to the rack or flames,
To any death ; no human pangs can add
To those I now endure. These tears, the last
Mine eyes shall ever shed, beloved Zalmira,
Fall to embalm thy corse, as thus I kneel
And my last kiss on thy pale lips impress.
LANFRANC.
Yet in thy wrath, my gracious lord, relent.
HEREWARD.
Relent ? No ; let him on, till to the knee
He wade in innocent blood ; till on his head
He pluck down Heaven's red vengeance, and the curse
Of all succeeding ages on his memory.
His tiger heart no mercy feels. But mark,