Classic Poem

" Dupe of thy virtues! arm thee with disdain!
" And boast of hidden strength! mad and inflam'd,
" I must enjoy — or kill thee: " (and he aim'd
The murdering sword) — " But know that I can stain
" With infamy the dead: — Hear! — and retain
" Unrifled innocence, the more defam'd,
" A theme of scorn! on evidence proclaim'd
" That cannot err — for aptly I can feign
" The murder'd slave beside thee, link'd in folds
" Adulterous " — Oh, dread alternative,
And subtle menace that with honour's pride
Thus tampering noblest minds in durance holds!
Ensnar'd — polluted — she disdains to live,
That rather unpolluted should have died.