Love--hate--fear--pain: I am of each the prey,
I grope for light, but never find the day!
Oh, what I suffer thou canst not conceive,
Each passion rages, but can ne'er relieve;
For I have noble thoughts that die still-born,
And I have thoughts so base my soul I scorn.
I love the foolish wretch who is my son,
I hate the folly which hath all undone;
I mourn his death,--yet, if I Polyeucte save,
I see of all my hopes the cruel grave!
'Gainst Gods and Emperor too sore the strife,
For my renown I fear,--fear for my life.
I must myself undo to save my son,
For, should I spare him, then am I undone!

ALBIN.
Decius a father is, and must excuse
A father's love--oh, he will not refuse!

FELIX.
His edict is most clear:--'All Christians are my foes.'
The higher be their rank the more the evil grows.
If birth and state be high, their crime shows more notorious,
If he who shield be great, his fall the more inglorious;
And if I give Nearchus to the flame
Yet stoop to shield my own--thrice damned my name!

ALBIN.
If by thy fiat he cannot escape the grave,
Implore of Decius' grace the life thou canst not save.