Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/121

Rh

By misery embolden'd, and urg'd on By desperation. In your pity only Lives all the hope of my most wretched state: O kill it not! push me not to the brink Of misery so deep and terrible! Have pity! O have pity on my woe! Thou art a woman, and a woman's heart Will not be shut against a wretched woman.

What would'st thou ask? thou dost with too much grief Conceal the point and object of thy suit.

There is in prison bound, condemn'd to die, And for a crime by others hands committed, A noble youth, and my betrothed love: Your son—O shrink not back, nor look so sternly! Your son, as secret rumour hath inform'd me, Mortally wounded and with little hope Of life, can ample testimony give, Being himself of those who did the deed, That Rayner did it not:—let him then, In whate'er secret place he lies conceal'd, In pity let him true confession make; And we will bless him—Heav'n will pardon him!

Despair hath made thee mad! art thou aware What thou dost ask of me? Go to our governors;