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Hath brought me from the chamber where my friends
Are now lamenting round my lifeless body,

ALICE.

And 'tis thy spirit which before mine eyes

Thy body's semblance wears: and thou art nothing
That mortal hands may touch or arms encircle!
O look not on me with that fixed look!
Thou lov'st me still, else thou hadst not been here,
And yet I fear thee.

PHANTOM.

Fear me not, dear Alice!

I yearn'd to look upon thee ere I pass
That gulf which parts the living from the dead:
And I have words to utter which thine ear
Must listen to, thy mind retain distinctly.

ALICE.

Say what thou wilt; thou art a blessed spirit,

And cannot do me harm.—
I know it well; but let thy words be few;
The fears of nature are increasing on me.
(Bending one knee to the ground.)
O God! Lord of all beings, dead and living!
Strengthen and keep me in this awful hour!

PHANTOM.

And to thy fervent prayer I say, Amen.