Lyra monologue (Act 4) — Numantia

This mercy which to me thou dost extend, O valiant soldier, I do swear to thee, And Heaven above its seal to this will lend, That I esteem it harshest cruelty! I would have held thee as a very friend, If with a steady hand and courage free Thou hadst transpierced my heart, so full of woes, And brought my wretched being to a close. But since thou wilt thy pity now bestow, Against my wish, and to increase my gloom, Then to my wretched spouse like pity show, And help me now to bear him to his tomb: Take thou my brother too, who lieth low Upon the ground, cut off with life in bloom; My husband went to death to save my life, While hunger bore my brother from the strife.