And fix it on his own. I know he holds ing, Now my chang'd eyes are blasted with her beauty, Loath that known face, and sicken to behold her. Enter JANE SHORE. "J. Sh. Now whither shall I fly to find relief? "What charitable hand will aid me now? "Will stay my falling steps, support my ruins, "And heal my wounded mind with balmy comfort?" Oh, my Alicia! Alic. What new grief is this What unforeseen misfortune has surpriz'd thee, That racks thy tender heart thus ? J. Sh. Oh, Dumont! Alic. Say what of him? J. Sh. That friendly, honest man, Whom Belmour brought of late to my assistance, On whose kind care, whose diligence and faith, My surest trust was built, this very morn Forc'd from my house, and born away to prison. J. Sh. Some fitter time must tell thee The tale of my hard hap. Upon the present [She gives the paper to Alicia, who opens and Alic. [Aside.] Now for a wile, To sting my thoughtless rival to the heart; To blast her fatal beauties, and divide her For ever from my perjur'd Hastings' eyes: "The wanderer may then look back to me, "And turn to his forsaken home again;" Their fashions are the same, it cannot fail. [Pulling out the other paper. J. Sh. But see the great protector comes this way, "Attended by a train of waiting courtiers." Give me the paper, friend. Alic. [Aside.] For love and vengeance! [She gives her the other paper. Ε Enter the Duke of GLOSTER, Sir RICHARD RATCLIFFE, CATESBY, Courtiers, and other Attendants. J. Sh. [Kneeling.] Oh, noble Gloster, turn thy gra cious eye, Incline thy pitying ear to my complaint, A poor, undone, forsaken, helpless woman, To feed her wants, and save her life from perishing. A worthy and right gentle lord he is, And to his trust most true. This present Now pity, And show'r down blessings on your princely head. Come, my Alicia, reach thy friendly arm, And help me to support this feeble frame, That nodding totters with oppressive woe, And sinks beneath its load. [Exeunt J. Sh. and Alic. Glost. Now by my holidame! Heavy of heart she seems, and sore afflicted. But thus it is when rude calamity Lays its strong gripe upon these mincing minions; The dainty gew-gaw forms dissolve at once, [Seeming to read. Ha! what is this? Come nearer, Ratcliffe! Catesby ! Mark the contents, and then divine the meaning. [He reads. Wonder not, princely Gloster, at the notice Rat. 'Tis wonderful! Cat. The means by which it came Yet stranger too! Glost. You saw it given, but now. She knows it not, it levels at her life; Should she presume to prate of such high matters, The meddling harlot, dear she should abide it. Glost Upon the instant, Lord Hastings will be hear; this morn I mean He must be mine or nothing—But he comes! Enter Lord HASTINGS. [They whisper. Hast. This foolish woman hangs about my heart, Lingers and wanders in my fancy still; This coyness is put on, 'tis art and cunning, To buffet with adversity. I told her And shares our power. But of this enough, And jealous doubts, jar in our public counsels; |