]
[Monks in the distance chanting.]
'Kings' daughters were among thine honourable women'--
Eliz. Kings' daughters! I am one!
Monks. 'Hearken, O daughter, and consider; incline thine ear:
Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house,
So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty:
For He is thy Lord God, and worship thou Him.'
Eliz. [springing up]. I will forget them!
They stand between my soul and its allegiance.
Thou art my God: what matter if Thou love me?
I am Thy bond-slave, purchased with Thy life-blood;
I will remember nothing, save that debt.
Do with me what Thou wilt. Alas, my babies!
He loves them--they'll not need me.
[Conrad advancing.]
Con. How now, Madam!
Have these your prayers unto a nobler will
Won back that wandering heart?
Eliz. God's will is spoken!
The flesh is weak; the spirit's fixed, and dares,--
Stay! confess, sir,
Did not yourself set on your brothers here
To sing me to your purpose?
Con. As I live
I meant it not; yet had I bribed them to it,
Those words were no less God's.
Eliz. I know it, I know it;
And I'll obey them: come, the victim's ready.
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