Nearer to death. In vain!—the costly web
Must from his inmost being still be wrought,
Till he lies wrapp’d in his consummate shroud.
Oh! that a gracious God to us may give
The lot of that bless’d worm!—to spread free wings,
And burst exultingly on brighter life,
In a new realm of sunshine!
He is at last released, and admitted into the presence of the Princess Leonora, to take his leave of her before commencing a distant journey. Notwithstanding his previous doubts of her interest in him, he is overcome by the pitying tenderness of her manner, and breaks into a strain of passionate gratitude and enthusiasm:—
Thou art the same pure angel, as when first
Thy radiance cross’d my path! Forgive, forgive,