Were shame and failure: and I will not fail:
_I will not_ see him!

FELIX.
One word more--'Obey!'
Wouldst thou thy father and his weal betray?

PAUL.
I yield! Come woe!--come shame!--come every ill!
My father thou!--and I thy daughter still!

FELIX.
I know thee pure.

PAUL.
And pure I will remain,
But, crushed and bruised, the flower no guilt shall stain.
I fear the combat that I may not fly,
Hard-won the fight, and dear the victory.
Here, love, my curse! Here, dearest friend, my foe!
Yet will I arm me! Father, I would go
To steel my heart--all weapons to embrace!

FELIX.
I too will go, the conqueror's march to grace!
Restore thy strength, ere yet it be too late,
And know that in thy hands thou hold'st our fate!

PAUL.
Go, broken heart, to probe thy wound; cut deep and do not spare!