Within their arms--then part from them forever.
They come! O God, bend down from heaven on them
One look of pity.

[_Enter_ ANTONIETTA, MATILDE, _and_ GONZAGA.
_Antonietta._ My husband!

_Matilde._ O my father!

_Antonietta._ Ah, thus thou comest back! Is this the moment
So long desired?

_Count._ O poor souls! Heaven knows
That only for your sake is it dreadful to me.
I who so long am used to look on death,
And to expect it, only for your sakes
Do I need courage. And you, you will not surely
Take it away from me? God, when he makes
Disaster fall on the innocent, he gives, too,
The heart to bear it. Ah! let _yours_ be equal
To your affliction now! Let us enjoy
This last embrace--it likewise is Heaven's gift.
Daughter, thou weepest; and thou, wife! Oh, when
I chose thee mine, serenely did they days
Glide on in peace; but made I thee companion
Of a sad destiny. And it is this thought
Embitters death to me. Would that I could not
See how unhappy I have made thee!

_Antonietta._ O husband