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.

[Going in.

Ser. Hold, mistress, whither would

you ?

[Pulling her back.

J. Sh. Do you not know me ?

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

You must not enter here

7. Sh. Tell my Alicia,

'Tis I would see her.

Ser. She is ill at ease,

And will admit no visitor.

7. Sh. But tell her

Bamilion del.

MS SIDDONS as JANE SHORE.
But now 'tis otherwise and those who bless'd

now curse me to m

y face.

London Printed for J.Bell.British Tábrary, Strand, Sept 21791.

me,

L

'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 or; 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 thee well

'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. Ohl bestow
"Some poor remain, the voiding of thy table,
"A morsel to support my famish'd soul."

Alic. Avaunt! and come not near me