s that fall, to rise no more. [_exeunt._ }

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE 1. AN APARTMENT IN JANE SHORE'S HOUSE.

_Enter Alicia, speaking to Jane Shore as entering._

_Alic._ No further, gentle friend; good angels guard you,
And spread their gracious wings about your slumbers.
The drowsy night grows on the world, and now
The busy craftsmen and the o'er-labour'd hind
Forget the travail of the day in sleep:
Care only wakes, and moping pensiveness;
With meagre discontented looks they sit,
And watch the wasting of the midnight taper.
Such vigils must I keep, so wakes my soul,
Restless and self-tormented! O, false Hastings!
Thou hast destroy'd my peace. [_knocking without._
What noise is that?
What visitor is this, who, with bold freedom,
Breaks in upon the peaceful night and rest,
With such a rude approach?

_Enter a Servant._

_Serv._ One from the court,
Lord Hastings (as I think) demands my lady.

_Alic._ Hastings! Be still, my heart, and try to meet him
With his own arts! with falsehood.--But he comes.

_Enter Lord Hastings, speaking to a Servant as entering._

_Lord H._ Dismiss my train, and wait alone without.
Alicia here! Unfortunate encounter!
But be it as it may.

_Alic._ When humbly, thus,
The great descend to visit the afflicted,
When thus, unmindful of their rest, they come
To sooth the sorrows of the midnight mourner,
Comfort comes with them; like the golden sun,
Dispels the sullen shades with her sweet influence,
And cheers the melancholy house of care.

_Lord H._ 'Tis true, I would not over-rate a courtesy,
Nor let the coldness of delay hang on it,
To nip and blast its favour, like a frost;
But rather chose, at this late hour, to come,
That your fair friend may know I have prevail'd;
The lord protector has receiv'd her suit,
And means to show her grace.

_Alic._ My friend! my lord.

_Lord H._ Yes, lady, yours; none has a right more ample
To task my pow'r than you.

_Alic._ I want the words,
To pay you back a compliment so courtly;
But my heart guesses at the friendly meaning,
And wo' not die your debtor.

_Lord H._ 'Tis well, madam.
But I would see your friend.

_Alic._ O, thou false lord!
I would be mistress of my heaving heart,
Stifle this rising rage, and learn from thee
To dress my face in easy, dull, indiff'rence;
But 'two' not be; my wrongs will tear their way,
And rush at once upon thee.

_Lord H._ Are you wise?
Have you the use of reason? Do you wake?
What