A young girl's guilelessness, her eye, her voice
Cause Cromwell, at whose frown kings quake with fear,
To tremble! All my strength doth fade away
Before her purity. And shall I persevere?
Shall I lay hands upon the kingly power?
Prostrate before the throne whereon I sit,
The world would cower; but what would Frances say?
And what her glance, as gentle as her speech,
Which charms me, while it drives me to despair?
Dear child! with what dismay her heart would learn
That I am of the regicides, and that
I dare be king! She needs must be sent back
To the seclusion of the provinces.
My joy must to my destiny's dictates
Be sacrificed, and my last years lack
Her loving care which I so dearly loved.
More than all else, oh, let me not afflict
Or undeceive the only soul on earth
Who loves me still without my rank and power.
Who only in my innocence has faith;
Let not her fate with mine become involved!
I will be king, since it must e'en be so,
And she know nought of it.
[Aloud to Frances.] My dearest heart,
Retain that pure and guileless heart of thine;
I love thee so. [Exit.
Lady Frances [looking after him.
What doth disquiet him?
I saw a tear a-glistening in his eye.
Dear father, how he loves me!
[Enter Dame Guggligoy and Rochester.
