Forgive Thy wife confessing that she fears the power.
And if my prayers shall bring the victory, The joyful tale shall come to me the last In that lone isle of rocks.

When all are glad, My heart shall throb with anguish, and the sail Which brings the message I shall see with fear, Not safe e'en then: for Caesar in his flight Might seize me there, abandoned and alone To be his hostage.

If thou place me there, The spouse of Magnus, shall not all the world Well know the secret Mitylene holds?
This my last prayer: if all is lost but flight, And thou shalt seek the ocean, to my shores Turn not thy keel, ill-fated one: for there, There will they seek thee." Thus she spoke distraught, Leaped from the couch and rushed upon her fate; No stop nor stay: she clung not to his neck Nor threw her arms about him; both forego The last caress, the last fond pledge of love, And grief rushed in unchecked upon their souls; Still gazing as they part no final words Could either utter, and the sweet Farewell Remained unspoken.

This the saddest day Of all their lives: for other woes that came More gently struck on hearts inured to grief.
Borne to the shore with failing limbs she fell And grasped the sands, embracing, till at last Her maidens placed her senseless in the ship.
Not in such grief she left her country's shores When Caesar's host drew near; for now she leaves, Though faithful to her lord, his side in flight And flees her spouse.

All that next night she waked; Then first what means a widowed couch she knew, Its cold, its solitude.