Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/80

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60

RAYNER:

RICHARD.

Sweet mistress, be not terrified with forms;

'Tis but a distant form.

ELIZABETH.

Ha! then it strikes thee too!—Merciful God!

RICHARD.

Patience, dear madam! now as he advances,

We shall be certified of the deception.
Rayner is not so tall as this young man,
Nor of a make so slender; no, nor yet——

ELIZABETH.

Peace, peace! for he advances. (Watching the prisoner as he advances with a countenance of distracted eagerness, till he comes near her; then, uttering a loud shriek, falls down, and is supported by Richard and several of the crowd.)

OFFICER (conducting Rayner).

What fainting maid is this obstructs the way?

Let not the crowd so closely press around her.
Open the way, and let the pris'ner pass.

RAYNER (upon the crowd opening and discovering Elizabeth).

O, sight of misery! my Elizabeth!

The last and fellest stroke of angry heaven
Falls on this cursed head.