Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/81

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Or. Dost thou deride my weakness?

Rud. I deride it! No, noble Maid! say rather that from thee I have a kindred weakness caught. In battle My courage never shrunk, as my arm'd heel And crested helm do fairly testify: But now when midnight comes, I feel by sympathy, With thinking upon thee, fears rise within me I never knew before.

Or. (in a softened kindlier voice.) Ha! dost thou too Such human weakness own?

Rud.I plainly feel We are all creatures, in the wakeful hour Of ghastly midnight, form'd to cower together, Forgetting all distinctions of the day, Beneath its awful and mysterious power. Or. (breaking from him.) I pray thee hold thy parley further off: Why dost thou press so near me?

Rud. And art thou so offended, lovely Orra? Ah! wherefore am I thus presumptuous deem'd? The blood that fills thy veins enriches mine; From the same stock we spring; tho' by that glance Of thy disdainful eye, too well I see My birth erroneously thou countest base.

Or. Erroneously!

Rud.Yes, I will prove it so.