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A TRAGEDY.
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for the sight to somebody that has got a stouter heart than thou hast.

CLOWN.

Na, na, I won't do that neither; I have a huge desire to see how a man looks when he is going to have his head cut off, and I'll stay for the sight tho' I should swoon for it. Poor man! poor man! what frightful things there be in this world when one's mind sets a thinking upon it!—Is he a tall man now, (to Jailor ) or a short man? a pale-faced man, or——ay, pale enough, I warrant. Mercy on us! I shall think of him many a night after this before I go to sleep. Poor man! poor man! what terrible things there be in this world if a body does but think of them.

(Exeunt Clown and Jailor.


SCENE II. A dungeon; Rayner discovered sitting at a table by the light of a lamp, with a book in his hand; the clock from a neighbouring steeple strikes three, and he, roused with the sound, lays down the book.

RAYNER.

This bell speaks with a deep and sullen voice:

The time comes on apace with silent speed.
Is it indeed so late?(Looking at his watch.)
It is even so.
(Pausing, and looking still at the watch.)
How soon time flies away! yet, as I watch it,