And lay thee down in death. "The hireling thus
"With labour drudges out the painful day,
"And often looks with long expecting eyes
"To see the shadows rise, and be dismiss'd."
And hark, methinks the roar that late pursu'd me,
Sinks like the murmurs of a falling wind,
And softens into silence. Does revenge

And malice then grow weary, and forsake me?
My guard, too, that observ'd me still so close,
Tire in the task of their inhuman office,
And loiter far behind. Alas! I faint,
My spirits fail at once-This is the door
Of my Alicia-Blessed opportunity!
I'll steal a little succour from her goodness,
Now while no eye observes me. [She knocks at the door.

Is your lady,

Enter a Servant.

My gentle friend, at home! Oh! bring me to her.

Ser. Hold, mistress, whither would you?

7. Sh. Do you not know me?

[Going it

[Pulling her bact

Ser. I know you well, and know my orders, too:

You must not enter here

J. Sh. Tell my Alicia,

'Tis I would see her.

Ser. She is ill at ease,

And will admit no visitor.
J. Sh. But tell her

'Tis I, her friend, the partner of her heart, Wait at the door and beg

Ser. 'Tis all in vain,

Go hence, and howl to those that will regard you. [Shuts the door, and exit.

J. Sh. It was not always thus; the time has been, When this unfriendly door, that bars my passage, Flew wide, and almost leap'd from off its hinges, To give me entrance here; "when this good house "Has pour'd forth all its dwellers to receive me :" When my approaches made a little holiday, And every face was dress'd in smiles to meet me : But now 'tis otherwise; and those who bless'd me, Now curse me to my face. Why should I wander, Stray further on, for I can die ev'n here!

[She sits down at the door.

Enter ALICIA in disorder, two Servants following.

Alic. What wretch art thou, whose misery and baseness

Hangs on my door; whose hateful whine of woe
Breaks in upon my sorrows, and distracts

My jarring senses with thy beggar's cry?

J. Sh. A very beggar, and a wretch, indeed;
One driven by strong calamity to seek

For succours here; one perishing for want,
Whose hunger has not tasted food these three days;
And humbly asks, for charity's dear sake,

A draught of water and a little bread.

Alic. And dost thou come to me, to me for bread?

I know thee not-Go-hunt for it abroad,
Where wanton hands upon the earth have scatter'd it,
Or cast it on the waters-Mark the eagle,

And hungry vulture, where they wind the prey;
Watch where the ravens of the valley feed,
And seek thy food with them-I know thee not.

J. Sh. And yet there was a time, when my Alicia Has thought unhappy Shore her dearest blessing, And mourn'd the live-long day she pass'd without

me;

"When pair'd like turtles, we were still together; "When often as we prattled arm in arm," Inclining fondly to me she has sworn,

She lov'd me more than all the world besides.
Alic. Ha! say'st thou! Let me look upon

well

thee

'Tis true-I know thee now-A mischief on thee! Thou art that fatal fair, that cursed she,

That set my brain a madding. Thou hast robb'd me; Thou hast undone me-Murder! Oh, my Hastings! See his pale bloody head shoots glaring by me! "Give me him back again, thou soft deluder, "Thou beauteous witch."

7. Sh. Alas! I never wrong'd you

"Oh! then be good to me; have pity on me; "Thou never knew'st the bitterness of want, "And may'st thou never know it. Oh! bestow "Some poor remain, the voiding of thy table, "A morsel to support my famish'd soul."

Alic. Avaunt! and come not near me

J. Sh. To thy hand

trusted all; gave my whole store to thee, Nor do I ask it back; allow me but The smallest pittance, give me but to eat,

est I fall down and perish here before thee.

Alic. Nay! tell not me! Where is thy king, thy Edward,

And all the smiling cringing train of courtiers, [hat bent the knee before thee?

J. Sh. Oh! for mercy!

Alic. Mercy! I know it not-for I am miserable. 'll give thee misery, for here she dwells;

This is her house, where the sun never dawns,
The bird of night sits screaming o'er the roof,
Grim spectres sweep along the horrid gloom,
And nought is heard but wailings and lamentings.
Hark! something cracks above! it shakes, it totters!
And see, the nodding ruin falls to crush me!
'Tis fall'n, 'tis here! I felt it on my brain!
"1 Ser. This sight disorders her-

<< 2 Ser. Retire, dear lady

"And leave this woman"

Alic. Let her take my counsel:

Why should'st thou be a wretch? Stab, tear thy heart,

And rid thyself of this detested being,

I wo'not linger long behind thee here.

A waving flood of bluish fire swells o'er me;
And now 'tis out, and I am drown'd in blood.

Ha! what art thou! thou horrid headless trunk?

It's my Hastings! see he wants me on!

Away' I go, I d' I follow thee!

← But come not thou with mischief-making beauty “Ta nterpose between us, look not on him, "Give my fond arts and thy delusions o'er, "For nou shalt never, never part us more.

Sae runs af, her Servants following.
J. S. Xas she raves; her brain, I fear is turn'd.
11 mercy ook upon her, gracious Heav'n,
Nor visit her for any wrong to me.

Sure I am near upon my journey's end;
My head runs round, my eyes begin to fail,
And dancing shadows swim before my sight.

I can no more, [Lies down.] receive me, thou cold earth,

Thou common parent, take me to thy bosom,
And let me rest with thee.

Enter BELMOUR.

Bel. Upon the ground!

Thy miseries can never lay thee lower,

Look up, thou poor afflicted one! thou mourner,
Whom none has comforted! Where are thy friends,
The dear companions of thy joyful days,

Whose hearts thy warm prosperity made glad,
Whose arms were taught to grow like ivy round thee,
And bind thee to their bosoms ?—Thus with thee,
Thus let us live, and let us die, they said,
"For sure thou art the sister of our loves,

"And nothing shall divide us❞—Now where are they?