Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/65
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A TRAGEDY.
57
Shall I not pour my sorrows in her bosom,
And moisten it with grief and gratitude?
Two friends were all poor Adeliza's wealth.
Lo! one is gone to plead the orphan's cause.
My patroness, like Tobit's guardian spirit[1],
Confirms my steps, and points to realms of glory.
She will not quit me in this vale of bondage;
She must be good, who teaches what is goodness.
And moisten it with grief and gratitude?
Two friends were all poor Adeliza's wealth.
Lo! one is gone to plead the orphan's cause.
My patroness, like Tobit's guardian spirit[1],
Confirms my steps, and points to realms of glory.
She will not quit me in this vale of bondage;
She must be good, who teaches what is goodness.
BENEDICT.
(Indeed! my pretty pratler!—then am I [Aside.
As sound a saint as e'er the rubric boasted.
—Ha! 'tis the Countess—now for my obedience.)
Young lady, much I marvel at these murmurs.
[To Adeliza.
Just sense and sober piety still dictate
The Countess's commands. With truth I say it,
My sins diminish, as I copy her
(Indeed! my pretty pratler!—then am I [Aside.
As sound a saint as e'er the rubric boasted.
—Ha! 'tis the Countess—now for my obedience.)
Young lady, much I marvel at these murmurs.
[To Adeliza.
Just sense and sober piety still dictate
The Countess's commands. With truth I say it,
My sins diminish, as I copy her
SCENE III.
COUNTESS, ADELIZA, BENEDICT, MARTIN.
COUNTESS.
What voices heard I? Does my rebel son
Attempt against my peace?—Hah! Adeliza!
I charg'd thee guard thy convent—wherefore then
This disobedience?
What voices heard I? Does my rebel son
Attempt against my peace?—Hah! Adeliza!
I charg'd thee guard thy convent—wherefore then
This disobedience?
BENEDICT.
Madam, I was urging
Madam, I was urging
- ↑ Alluding to a picture of Salvator Rosa, in which the story is thus told.
The