request which when granted shall be returned with
interest in death.” 25
Such was her appeal—such the wailing which her
afflicted sister bears to him, and bears again; but no wailing
moves him, no words find him a gentle listener. Fate
bars the way, and Heaven closes the hero’s relenting ears.
Even as an aged oak, still hale and strong, which Alpine 30
winds, blowing now here, now there, strive emulously to
uproot—a loud noise is heard, and, as the stem rocks,
heaps of leaves pile the ground; but the tree cleaves