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THE MARTYR: A DRAMA.
405

Ne'er earn'd withal such lofty exaltation
As Varus now enjoys.

CORDENIUS.

Thy words amaze me, friend; what is their meaning?


SYLVIUS.

They cannot be explain'd with hasty speech

In such a place. If thou would'st really know—
And may such light——

CORDENIUS.

Why dost thou check thy words,

And look so much disturb'd, like one in doubt?

SYLVIUS.

What am I doing! Zeal, perhaps, betrays me.

Yet, wherefore hide salvation from a man
Who is so worthy of it?

CORDENIUS.

Why art thou agitated thus? What moves thee?


SYLVIUS.

And would'st thou really know it?


CORDENIUS.

Dost thou doubt me?

I have an earnest, most intense desire.

SYLVIUS.

Sent to thy heart, brave Roman, by a Power

Which I may not resist.[Bowing his head.
But go not with me now in open day.
At fall of eve I'll meet thee in the suburb,
Close to the pleasure-garden of Sulpicius;
Where in a bushy crevice of the rock