Alas! her virtue and the law prevent,

Force cannot be, and she will not consent; 450

But were that brother gone!—A brother? No!

A circumventor!—and the wretch shall go!

Yet not this hand—How shifts about my mind,

Ungovern’d, guideless, drifting in the wind;

And I am all a tempest, whirl’d around

By dreadful thoughts, that fright me and confound!—

I would I saw him on the earth laid low!

I wish the fate, but must not give the blow!”