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Enter Alice and Marian.

MARIAN.

Take hold of me; thy summoned strength, I fear,

Forsakes thee now. (She supports Alice, and they walk slowly to the middle of the room.)

Ay, thou look'st round, as if in search of something?

ALICE.

They have removed it.

MARIAN.

What have they removed?

ALICE.

The bed on which she lay. Oh, woe is me!

The last time I was in this chamber, Marian,
Becoming suddenly, from some slight cause,
A passing sufferer, she laid my head
On her own pillow, and her own soft hand
Press'd me so gently; I was then the patient,
And she the tender nurse. I little thought
So short a time——Alas! my dear, dear friend!

MARIAN.

Short time indeed for such a dismal change:

I may not chide thy tears.

ALICE.

Here are the virginals on which she play'd;