Is your Lady, Enter a Servant.. My gentle Friend, at home? Oh! bring me to her. [G ing in. Ser. Hold Miftrefs whither wou'd you? [Futting her back, J. Sb. Do you not know me? Ser. I know you well, and know my Orders too. You must not enter here -- 7. Sb. Tell my Alicia, 'Tis I would fee her. Ser. She is ill at Eafe, And will admit no Vifitor. J. Sb. But tell her 'I'is I, her Friend, the Partner of her Heart, Wait at the Door and beg Ser. 'Tis all in vain-- Go hence, and Howl to thofe 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 barrs my Paffage, 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 Approach has made a little Holy-day, And ev'ry Face was drefs'd in Smiles to meet me. But now 'tis otherwise; and those who blefs'd me, Now curfe me to my Face. Why fhould I wander, Stray further on, for I can die ev'n here! [She fits down at the Door Enter Alicia in Disorder; Two Servants following. Alic. What Wretch art thou? whofe Mifery and Bafenefs Hangs on my Door; whofe hateful Whine of Woe Breaks Breaks in upon Sorrows, and diftra&ts My jarring Senfes with thy Beggar's Cry. 7. Sh. A very Beggar, and a Wretch indeed; One driv'n by ftrong Calamity to seek For Succour here. One perifhing for Want, Whofe Hunger has not tafted Food thefe three Days 3. A Draught of Water, and a little Bread. Alic And doft thou come to me, to me for Bread? Where wanton Hands upon the Earth have fcatter'd it, And hungry Vulture, where they wind the Prey; And feek thy Food with them I know thee not. 7. Sh. And yet there was a Time, when my Alicia Has thought unhappy Shore her dearest Bleffing, And mourn'd that live-long Day she pafs'd without me: Inclining fondly to me she has fworn, She lov'd me more than all the World befide. Alic. Ha! fay ft thou! Let me look upon thee well'Tis true--I know thee now---A Mischief on thee! Thou art that fatal Fair, that curfed She, That fet my Brain a madding. Thou haft robb'd me'; See his pale bloody Head shoots glaring by me! Give me him back again, thou foft Deluder, Thou Beauteous Witch--- J.Sb. Alas! I never wrong'd you Ok Oh! then be good to me; have Pity on me: Alic. Avant! and come not near me I trufted all, gave my whole Store to thee::: The fmalleft Pittance, give me but to eat, Left I fall down and perifh here before thee. Alic. Nay! tell not me! Where is thy King, thy Edward, And all the fmiling, cringing Train of Courtiers,. That bent the Knee before thee? F. Sh. Oh! for Mercy! Alic. Mercy I know it not for I am miferable. "Tis fall'n! 'tis here! I feel it on my Brain! I Serv. This Sight diforders her 2 Serv. Retire, dear Lady, And leave this Woman' -- Ale. Let her take my Counfel Why shoud'st thou be a Wretch? Stab, tear thy Heart, And rid thy felf of this detefted Being. I wo'not linger long behind thee here. 1271 A A waving Flood of blewifh Fire fwells o'er me; Ha! what art thou! thou horrid headlefs Trunk? But come not thou with mifchief-making Beauty [She runs off, her Servants following, 7. Sh. Alas! She raves; her Brain, I fear, is turn'd. In Mercy look upon her, gracious Heav'n, Nor vifit her for any Wrong to me. Sure I am near upon my Journey's End; My Head runs round, my Eyes begin to fail, I canno more. [Lies down.] Receive me thou cold Earth, Enter Bellmour. Bell. Upon the Ground! Thy Miferies can never lay thee lower. Look up, thou poor afflicted one! Thou Mourner For fure thou art the Sifter of our Loves,'' F.SE. J.Sh. Ah! Bellmour, where indeed! They stand aloof, When they pafs by, they shake their Heads in Scorn, And yet thy Goodnefs turns afide to Pity me. Never to rife, and all Relief is vain. Bell. Yet raife thy drooping Head, for I am come 7.Sh. Dumont! Ha! Where! [Raifing bir felf, and loking about, Then Heav'n has heard my Prayer, his very Name Bell He has, but fee---- He comes unlike to that Dumont you knew, And comes to vifit you with Peace and Pardon. 7. Sh. Speak, tell me! Which is he? And oh what wou'd This dreadful Vision! See it comes upon me---- It is my Husband------Ah ! Sb. She faints! fupport her! [She Swoons. Suftain her Head, while I infufe this Cordial Iuto her dying Lips-from fpicy Drugs, Rich Herbs and Flow'rs the potent Juice is drawn; Drives |