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Collins, Wilkie, 1824-1889

"Antonina"


'I swore to be avenged! while I walked round the grave of the chieftain
who was the last of my race; while I stood alone out of the army of my
people in the city of the slayers of my babes; while I tracked the
footsteps of the Roman who had twice escaped me, as she fled through the
street; while I watched and was patient among the pillars of the temple,
and waited till the sun went down, and the victim was unshielded for the
moment to strike.

'I swore to be avenged! and my oath has been fulfilled--the knife that
still bleeds drops with her blood; the chief vengeance has been wreaked!
The rest that were to be slain remain for others, and not for me! For
now I go to my husband and my children; now the hour is near at hand
when I shall herd with their spirits in the Twilight World of Shadows,
and make my long-abiding place with them in the Valley of Eternal
Repose! The Destinies have willed it--it is enough!'
Her voice trembled and grew faint as she pronounced the last words. The
anguish of the fastenings at her wrists was at last overpowering her
senses--conquering, in spite of all resistance, her stubborn endurance.


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