"And turn to his forfaken Home again : Their Fashions are the fame, it cannot fail. [Pulling out the other Paper. 7. Sh. But fee, the great Protector comes this way, Attended by a Train of waiting Courtiers: Give me the Paper, Friend. Alic. [Afide.] For Love and Vengeance! [She gives her the other Paper. * Enter the Duke of Glofler, Sir Richard Ratcliff, Catesby, Courtiers, and other Attendants. 7. Sh. [Kneeling. O Noble Glofter, turn thy gracious Eye, Incline thy pitying Ear to my Complaint, A poor, undone, forfaken, helpless Woman, Intreats a little Bread for Charity, To feed her Wants, and fave her Life from perishing. Glot. Arife, fair Dame, and dry your wat'ry Eyes. [Receiving the Paper, and raifing her. Behrew me, but 'twere Pity of his Heart, That could refufe a Boon to fuch a Suitress. Y' have got a Advocate; And to his Truft moft true. This Prefent, now, (Exit. Jane Shore and Alicia. Gloft. Gloft. Now by my Hollidame! Heavy of Heart fhe feems, and fore afflicted.' But thus it is, when rude Calamity Lays its ftrong Gripe upon thefe mincing Minions; The Dainty gew-gaw Forms diffolve at once, And fhiver at the Shock. What fays her Paper? [feeming to read Ha! what is this? Come nearer Ratcliff! Catesby!' Mark the Contents, and then divine the Meaning.. [He reads.] Wonder not, Princely Glofter, at the Notice → This Paper brings you from a Friend unknown; Rat. 'Tis wonderful! Cat. The Means by which it came, Yet ftranger too! Gloft. You faw it given but now. Rat. She cou'd not know the Purport, Gloft. No, 'tis plain- She knows it not, it levels at her Life; Should the prefume to prate of fuch high Matters, Gloft. Upon the Inftant, Lord Haftings will be here; this Morn I mean, No No more but this, away with him at once; He must be mine, or nothing--But he comes! Enter Lord Haftings. [They whijper. L. Haft. This foolish Woman hangs about my Heart, This Coynefs is put on, 'tis Art and Cunning, I mult poffefs her : 'The Groom, who lift his faucy Hand against me, [Exeunt Ratcliff and Catesby. My Lord, y'are well encounter'd, here has been How worthily her Caufe you had befriended; L. Haft. Your Highnefs binds me ever to your Service. Gloft. You know your Friendship is most potent with us, And shares our Power. But of this enough, For we have other Matters for your Ear. The The golden Streams of Commerce are with-held, If in good Days, like thefe, the Headstrong Herd, → Because the Reins of Power are held too flack, Has worn a Face of Mercy more than Juftice. Gloft. Befhrew my Heart! but you have well divin'd Plainly to fpeak; hence comes the general Cry,- L. Haft. 'Tis true, the King is young; but what of that? We feel no want of Edward's riper Years, While Glofter's Valour, and most Princely Wisdom His Youth's Support, and Guardian of his Throne. Gleft. The Council (much I'm bound to thank 'em for't) Have plac'd a Pageant Sceptre in my Hand, Barren of Pow'r, and fubject to Controul; Scorn'd by my Foes, and ufelefs to my Friends: Oh, worthy Lord! Were mine the Rule indeed, I think, I should not fuffer rank Offence, At large to lord in the Commonweal, Nor wou'd the Realm be rent by Difcord thus, Thus Fear and Doubt betwixt difputed Titles. L. Haft L. Haft. Of this I am not to learn; as not fuppofing A Doubt like this---- Gloft. Ay, marry, but there is------ And that of much Concern. Have you not heard Has mov'd the People much about the Lawfulness His jolly Match with that fame buxom Widow L. Haft. Ill befal Such medling Priefts, who kindle up Confufion, Our Royal Mafter Edward, in Concurrence With his Eftates affembled, well determine What Courfe the Sovereign Rule should take henceforward? When fhallour long divided Land have Reft, Fright them with Dangers, and perplex their Brains, Gloft. What, if fome Patriot for the Publick Good, L. Hat, Curfe on the innovating Hand attempts it! Re |