Did crush a letter in my hand.
’Twas but a line, but at the end—
Oh God in Heaven! Maria’s name.
“I hear that thou art false,” it said,
“But I cannot believe
“That one who loved as thou didst
“Could fail me or deceive.”
Ah! suspicion, like a lightning flash,
Transfixed me and I held
The paper to Lucretia’s face