or, sooth to say, I hold it noble in you Hast. Thus it is, gracious sir, that certain officers, sing the warrant of your mighty name, With insolence unjust, and lawless power, ave seiz❜d upon the lands which late she held y grant, from her great master Edward's bounty. Glost. Somewhat of this, but slightly, have I heard; And tho' some counsellors of forward zeal, ɔme of most ceremonious sanctity, nd bearded wisdom, often have provok'd 'he hand of justice to fall heavy on her; ́et still, in kind compassion of her weakness, and tender memory of Edward's love, have withheld the merciless stern law rom doing outrage on her helpless beauty. Hast. Good Heav'n, who renders mercy back for mercy, With open-handed bounty shall repay you : she shall be heard with patience, and each wrong C The queen's relations, our new-fangled gentry, Have fall'n their haughty crests-That for your pr vacy. [Exas SCENE II. An Apartment in JANE SHORE's House. Enter Bi MOUR and DUMONT. Bel. How she has liv'd you have heard ready, my tale a The rest your own attendance in her family, Where I have found the means this day to place you And nearer observation, best will tell you. See, with what sad and sober cheer she comes. Enter JANE SHORE. Sure, or I read her visage much amiss, J. Sh. My gentle neighbour, your good wishes 'hose friendly service you commended to me? Bel. Madam, it is. J. Sh. A venerable aspect. ge sits with decent grace upon his visage, nd worthily becomes his silver locks; [Aside. e wears the marks of many years well spent, f virtue, truth well try'd, and wise experience; friend like this would suit my sorrows well. ortune, I fear me, sir, has meant you ill, [To Dum. 'ho pays your merit with that scanty pittance Which my poor hand and humble roof can give. ut to supply these golden vantages, Which elsewhere you might find, expect to meet just regard and value for your worth, he welcome of a friend, and the free partnership f all that little good the world allows me. Dum. You over-rate me much; and all my answer Just be my future truth; let them speak for me, And make up my deserving. J. Sh. Are you of England ? Dum. No, gracious lady, Flanders claims my birth; it Antwerp has my constant biding been, Where sometimes I have known more plenteous days Chan these which now my failing age affords.. J. Sh. Alas! at Antwerp, !-Oh, forgive my tears! [Weeping. They fall for my offences-and must fall band. Dum. I knew him well-but stay this flood of an guish, The senseless grave feels not your pious sorrows: And saw him laid in hallow'd ground, to rest. Enter a Servant. Ser. The lady Alicia Attends your leisure. J. Sh. Say I wish to see her. Please, gentle sir, one moment to retire, [Exit Servant I'll wait you on the instant, and inform you Your friendly aid and counsel much may stead me, [Exeunt Belmour and Dumont Enter ALICIA. Alic. Still, my fair friend, still shall I find you thus ? Still shall these sighs heave after one another, These trickling drops chase one another still, s if the posting messengers of grief ould overtake the hours fled far away, nd make old Time come back? J. Sh. No, my Alicia, eaven and his saints be witness to my thoughts, 1 Alic. And yet some of those days my friend has known, ́ome of those years might pass for golden ones, 7. Sh. 'Tis true, the royal Edward was a wonder, The goodly pride of all our English youth; le was the very joy of all that saw him. 'orm'd to delight, to love and to persuade. Impassive spirits and angelic natures Might have been charm'd, like yielding human weakness, • Stoop'd from their Heav'n, and listen'd to his talk ing. But what had I to do with kings and courts? |