Northlake monologue (Act 5) — The Merchant Prince of Cornville: A Comedy

Lost wife, return! ’Tis pitiful! By thee These lonely years my life’s been haunted. Once In each year thy visits, like untimely Seasons, come upon me, when and where I never know; but once in each year, lightening My weary path. Mysterious and strange, Thou ne’er before hast spoken. Thou blameless Catharine, Return. Our sins of jealousy have borne Such fruit as grows from poisoned ground; and yet Nor Time nor forcing Will can make us what We were in our first wedded life. These agents Are far too weak; they never can restore To us the faith that’s lost in our past lives,-- Lost like a pearl dropped in dissolving flame, Its white and saintly fabric gone in a moment. Unhappy Catharine, and thou my more Unhappy self! These revels mock us. Poor mask!