Never ; as dead
He would be in God's hands ; living —

The Lady.
In mine.
The Maiden.
That is, in atheism.
The Lady.
Have I said
Aught atheistical } Because my faith
Is broader than its own, this conscience saith
I am an atheist ! Ah, child, is thine
A better faith "> Yet, be it what it mayi
Should he now lie before us here, and say
He loved thee best, I*d yield him though my heart



THE *DRIVE.
59



Should stop — though I should die. Yea, for his sake,
To make him happy, I would even take
Annihilation ! — let the vital spark
Called soul be turned to nothing."

The Maiden.
Far apart
Our motives ; mine is clear with duty —



The Lady.
Dark



And heavy mine with love.
The Maiden.
You talk of death
With frequent phrase, as though a little thing,
A matter merely of the will and breath,
It were to face the judgment, and the King
Who has not summoned you. Your flippant tongue
Rolls out its offers as a song is sung,
And, both mean nothing ; for the chance to die
For one we love, that glorious gift, comes now
But rarely in this life that you and I
Must bear our part in. Thus, no empty vow
Do / repeat ; and yet, I surely know.
At duty's call right calmly could I go
Up the red scaffold's stairs.
i



6o TfVO ifOMEN'.
The Lady.
I well believe
Thee, steadfast maiden-voice. Nay, I conceive
My love, thy duty, art alike — the same
Self-sacrifice under a various name
According to our natures. I would yield.
And thou refuse to yield, from the same love ;
I'd have him happy here, and thou — above.
