Roselo. I but my destined path pursue,
And yet I fear to lose my love so true.
Marin. I hear the noise of footsteps coming pit-a-pat.
Roselo. Look that our swords be ready to our hands!
Marin. I breathe again; there's naught to fear,
'Tis but the plashing fountain that I hear.
Roselo. Julia, my heart's sole idol, comes this way!
Enter Julia and Celia.
Julia. My love, my husband!
Roselo. Kind heaven, grant me firmness at my need,
For what would life's pulsations be to me,
Losing the kindred throb of thine, O Julia?
Love, fond wife, in hope, in joy, despondency,
Or bitter grief, whatever ills befall, I'm arm'd.
Thus as I press thee trembling to my heart,
In absence still, in fancied presence thou;
If those dear eyes rain tears at fortune's frowns,
Crosses or evil tidings touch of woe;
Oh, kill me not by weeping now, sweet wife!
If thou desirest death, my love, one sword,
One blow, shall give our hearts' blood to the earth!
Those who now seek our lives may slay; but still
Our souls shall live unparted after death!
Oh, sad and luckless feud! Though guiltless I,
A thousand evils had I suffer'd with content,
Rather than kill Otavio, whose unruly tongue,
The quickening cause, alas! of his untimely death,
More tears my life! And if thou lov'st him dead
More than thy living husband, let this cursed hate,
Knowing no respite, die with me!
