Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/348

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334
THE SPAGNOLETTO.

For mine own head, yoked in my sister’s curse
The blessing he refused me.

DON TOMMASO.

Well, take comfort ;
This grace may yet be thine.

SCENE II.

Palermo. A Nunnery. Enter ABBESS, followed by a
Lay-Sister.

ABBESS.

Is the poor creature roused ?

LAY-SISTER.

Nay, she still sleeps.
T would break your pious heart to see her, mother.
She begged our meanest cell, though ’t is past doubt
She has been bred to delicate luxury.
I deemed her spent, had not the soft breast heaved
As gently as a babe s and even in dreams
Two crystal drops oozed from her swollen lids,
And trickled down her cheeks. Her grief sleeps not,
Although the fragile body craves its rest.