Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/18

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THE MYSTERIOUS MOTHER.
BENEDICT.Offer'd, she scoffs it; aShe will take none:Offer'd, she scoffs it; and withheld, demands not. Nay, vows she will not load her sinking soulWith incantations.
MARTIN.Rank heresy; and hThis is heresy;Rank heresy; and holy church should note it.
BENEDICT.Be patient, brother—Tho' of adamantHer reason, charity dissolves that rock,—And surely we have tasted of the stream.Nay, one unguarded moment may discloseThis mystic tale—then, brother, what a harvest,When masters of her bosom-guilt!—Age tooMay numb her faculties.—Or soon, or late,A praying woman must become our spoil.
MARTIN.Her zeal may falter.
BENEDICT.I nurse her in new horrNot in solitude.I nurse her in new horrors; form her tenantsTo fancy visions, phantoms; and report them.She mocks their fond credulity—but trust me,Her memory retains the colouring.Oft times it paints her dreams; and ebon nightIs no logician. I have known her callFor lights, e'er she could combat its impressions.I too, tho' often scorn'd, relate my dreams,And wond'rous voices heard; that she may think meAt least an honest bigot; nor rememberI tried to practice on her fears, and foil'd,Give o'er my purpose.

MARTIN.

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