Page:The Story of Rimini - Hunt (1816, 1st ed).djvu/121

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95

"What! wound it deepest? strike me to the core,
"Me, and the hopes which I can have no more,
"And then, as never Malatesta could,
"Shrink from the letting a few drops of blood?”

"It is not so,” cried Paulo, "'tis not so;
"But I would save you from a further woe."

"A further woe, recreant," retorted he:
"I know of none: yes, one there still may be:
"Save me the woe, save me the dire disgrace
"Of seeing one of an illustrious race
"Bearing about a heart, which feared no law,
"And a vile sword, which yet he dare not draw."

"Brother, dear brother!" Paulo cried, "nay, nay,
"I'll use the word no more;—but peace, I pray!
"You trample on a soul, sunk at your feet!"
"'Tis false;" exclaimed the prince; "'tis a retreat