The Star in the West

THE MOTHER 135 Your virginal sweet spirit cannot reach My fury .... Thus in the intoxication of his desire he raves , in her silence he sees her affection , and in the terror of her eyes her love . Cora is horror -stricken : “ you beast !” “ you fool !” “ I am defiled .” He stands dazed and wondering . Then in the following pages she tells him : “ I am the mother of thy bastard birth ” ; he prays , he threatens , and shrieking hurls insult on insult at her : Me , the sole pledge of your debaucheries , You keep - your love, the mere maternity You share with swine and cattle !... I love you still With carnal love and spiritual love ! And I will have you, by the living God , To be my mistress . If I fail in this , Or falter in this counsel of despair , May God's own curses dog me into hell , And mine own life perpetuate itself Through all the ages of eternity . Amen ! Amen ! Come , Cora , to my heart !? Madeline , whom Cora had hoped to have made Ulric's bride , appears , and for a moment his mad fury slackens only to burst out again , as he drags Cora from the room . When she re - enters her voice is hoarse and horrible : O Phædra ! lend me of thy wickedness , Lest I go mad to contemplate myself !3 Then turning to Madeline - young , pretty , and foolish -who bids her seek help from the Mother of God , • Our Lady of the seven stars ” says : | The Mother's Tragedy , vol . i, p . 159 . Ibid . vol . i, p . 163 . 3 Ibid . vol . i, p . 164 .