Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Isabella's Epilogue

Gracious Duke,
I am afraid I cannot give consent to marry you.
My only fitting place, I fear, is in the nunnery.
I do beseech your grace to pardon me,
But I cannot find it in my heart to wed with you,
Or any man at all.
I am shocked by your proposal,
And though I flooded with joy in regard to my brother’s life,
I cannot take your hand in marriage.
I have always envisioned my life in a convent –
A life of restriction and perpetual maidenhood.
My life I should hope to devote to my God;
Surely you should not obstruct my pursuit of utter morality.
Therefore, I implore you, do not make us wed.
I am incapable of this tender love. 
If you cannot pardon me for my bold refusal,
I am quite ready to die a martyr’s death.
Rather I should die a maid than give up my virtue
To an undesired life.

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