Thou hast no heart to give--thou lov'dst me never!

PAUL.
Too plain, Severus, I my torture show,--
Tho' flame leap up no more, the embers glow;
Far other speech and voice, and mien were mine,
Could I forget that once thou call'dst me thine!
Tho' reason rules, yes, gains the mastery
No queen benignant, but a tyrant she!
Oh, if I conquer--if the strife I gain,
Yet memory for aye is linked with pain!
I feel the charm that binds me still to thee;
If duty great, yet great thy worth to me:
I see thee still the same, who waked the fire
Which waked in me ineffable desire.
Begirt by crown of everlasting fame
Thou art more glorious--yet art still the same.
I know thy valour's worth,--well hast thou justified
That bounding hope of mine, though fruitage was denied,
Yet this same fate which did our union ban
Hath made me, fated--wed another man.
Let Duty still be queen! Yea, let her break
The heart she pierces, yet can never shake.
The virtue, once thy pride in days gone by
Doth that same worth now merit blasphemy?
Bewail her bitter fruit--but praised be
The rights that triumph over thee and me!

SEV.
Forgive, Pauline, forgive; ah! grief hath made me blind