Aught but the kindliest sheltering home to mine,

My faithful, generous Herbert! Woman’s peace

Ne’er on a breast so tender and so true

Reposed before. Alas! thy showering tears

Fall fast upon my cheek—forgive, forgive!

I should not melt thy noble strength away

In such an hour.

Her. Sweet Edith, no! my heart

Will fail no more. God bears me up through thee,

And by thy words, and by thy heavenly light