For thee, for her, for me.--The work begin!

FELIX.
Such my reward! Yes, insult is the child
Of injury. The grace I grant, reviled,
Shall turn to swift revenge. The gods defied
May do their will and speed the suicide!

POLY.
I thought the gods were dead, but they revive
With human passion; Felix, do not strive
Against thy nature; lay aside thy ruth;
Who loves a lie can never follow truth.

FELIX.
I humoured madness, but the mood is o'er,
I am myself again; I did implore,--
'Twas vain; the dark abyss that yawns for thee
May hold thee now, tomb to thy constancy.
The hope I cherished--fondled--now is flown
Severus will be king, and I o'erthrown;--
Shall I the gods by incense pacify?
Or by thy death? for thou, at last, must die!

POLY.
Incense might but incense; I cannot tell:

(Enter Pauline)

Pauline!

PAUL.
That word broke from thee like a knell;
Who seeks my doom to-day? Thou--or my sire?
Who fires the brand? Who lights the funeral pyre?
My father should, by nature, be my friend,
And lover's heart to love an ear should lend.
Who here is mine ally, and who my foe?
Who has a heart to feel?--this would I know.

FELIX.
Nay, to thy lord appeal.

(Pauline turns to Polyeucte)

POLY.
Severus wed!

PAUL.
Ah, this is outrage! Rather strike me dead!

POLY.
Oh, dearer than myself to me thy weal!
My love would never wound, it seeks to heal.
I see thee wrestle with thy deep distress
Alone--unless Severus bring redress;
His merit, that once gained thy maiden heart,
Hath still that worth when I from thee must part,
Once loved--and loving still--his honour grows.

PAUL.
Thy wife's true heart another treatment owes:
O base reproach! For this I crushed for thee
My former love: that I disdained might be?
This my reward for dearest victory won,--
I did that love undo--to be myself undone!
Resolve, faith, abnegation, all were vain,
For thy return is outrage heaped on pain.
Oh, sunk in tomb of shame, most vile, most mean,
Come back to life--to honour--to Pauline!
(Holds out her arms.)
To learn from her that loyalty and faith
Religion are:--and all beside but death!
Once more Alcestis wrestles with the tomb,