Charles monologue (Act 3) — The Robbers

My innocence! give me back my innocence! Behold, every living thing is gone forth to bask in the cheering rays of the vernal sun--why must I alone inhale the torments of hell out of the joys of heaven? All are so happy, all so united in brotherly love, by the spirit of peace! The whole world one family, and one Father above--but He not my father! I alone the outcast, I alone rejected from the ranks of the blessed--the sweet name of child is not for me--never for me the soul-thrilling glance of her I love--never, never the bosom friend's embrace--(starting back wildly)--surrounded by murderers--hemmed in by hissing vipers-- riveted to vice with iron fetters--whirling headlong on the frail reed of sin to the gulf of perdition--amid the blooming flowers of a glad world, a howling Abaddon!