Page:Dramas 3.pdf/328

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326
THE BRIDE: A DRAMA.

The vilest carcase, trampled under foot
Of pond'rous elephant, for lawless deeds,
Was ne'er inhabited by soul more worthless.

JUAN.

Thy bitter wrath ascribes to his offence

A ten-fold turpitude. Suspect thy judgment.

When two days' thought has communed with thy conscience,
Of all the strong temptations which beset

Unwary youth by potent passions urged,
Thou wilt not pass on him so harsh a censure.

RASINGA.

When two days' thought! If that he be alive.

And wear a human semblance two days hence,
In the fell serpent's folds, the tiger's paws,
Or earthquake's pitchy crevice, with like speed,
Be my abhorred end!

JUAN.

Hold, hold, Rasinga!

The God, in whose high keeping is the fate
Of every mortal man, or prince or slave,
Hath this behest declared,—that sinful man
Should pardon grant to a repentant brother;
Yea, more than this,—to his repentant enemies,
So God commands; and wilt thou prove rebellious?

RASINGA.

Ha! hast thou been in heaven since last we met,