Unconscious of your state, came bounding forth
To clasp your knee and welcome "father home"--
You, with a madman's fury, struck her dead!
[_A shriek is heard from prisoner's wife._
Prisoner, for this offence you have been tried,
And every scope allowed that law could grant
To mitigate the awful punishment.
No one believes that malice moved your mind;
But murdering maniacs may not live with men;
And therefore, prisoner, you are doomed for life
To solitary toil. Alone! alone! alone!
Love's music voice will never greet your ear;
Affection's eye will never meet your gaze;
Nor heart-warm hand of friend return your grasp;
But morn, and noon, and night, days, months, and years,
Will all be told in this one word--alone!
Prisoner, the world will leave you as the dead
Within your closing cell--your living tomb.
But One there is who pardons and protects,
And never leaves the penitent alone.
Oh, turn to Him, the Saviour! so your cell,
That opens when you die, may lead to heaven:--
And God have mercy on your penitence!
[_Prisoner sinks down, as the curtain
slowly falls_.]

END OF ACT I.

* * * * *