To league together such o'erwhelming force

As may make bloodshed needless, vain their plot,

And mercy possible. Meantime, dear lady,

Breathe not a word of what thine eyes have seen,

But bear thyself as though thou hadst seen nothing,

And had no care excepting to do honour

To thy dead sire; and when the weary day

Tends to its close, school thou thy heavy heart,

And wear what mask of joy thou canst, and sit