RAYNER (taking Ohio and Hardibrand both by the hand).
What my voice cannot. O! and here comes one
Who mocks all power of words.
(Enter Elizabeth running, and rushes into Rayner's arms; the Crowd then eagerly gathers round them, and closes upon them.)
MARDONIO (stepping out from the crowd, and looking upon them.)
In the true artless sympathy of nature;
For he is one o'er whom the storm has roll'd
In awful power, but spar'd the thunderbolt.—
When urg'd by strong temptation to the brink
Of guilt and ruin, stands the virtuous mind
With scarce a step between; all pitying heaven,
Severe in mercy, chast'ning in its love,
Oftimes, in dark and awful visitation,
Doth interpose, and leads the wand'rer back
To the straight path, to be forever after
A firm, undaunted, onward-bearing traveller,
Strong in humility, who swerves no more.
(Exuent.
