Andre monologue (Act 2) — André

Still is my heart the same: still may I say it: But now my deeds will rise against my words; And should I dare to talk of honest truth, Frank undissembling probity and faith, Memory would crimson o'er my burning cheek, And actions retrospected choke the tale. Still is my heart the same. But there has past A day, an hour--which ne'er can be recall'd! Unhappy man! tho' all thy life pass pure; Mark'd by benevolence thy every deed; The out-spread map, which shews the way thou'st trod, Without one devious track, or doubtful line; It all avails thee nought, if in one hour, One hapless hour, thy feet are led astray;-- Thy happy deeds, all blotted from remembrance; Cancel'd the record of thy former good. Is it not hard, my friend? Is 't not unjust?