Page:Youth's warning-piece, or, The tragical history of George Barnwell.pdf/14

 ſaying, “My dear friend, had you truſted me when firſt the fair ſeducer tempted you, all had been well.” Then anſwered George, “O talk not of what might have been, for I have not taken one ſtep ſince firſt I ſaw that falſe fair one, but what has tended to my ruin.”

While they were diſcourſing Maria came, who among other efforts to reſtore him a little to his peace of mind, for the ſhort time he had to live, told him that ſhe muſt and would partake of his grief. He begged her to make herſelf happy and added, When he was dead he ſhould quickly be forgotten.” She anſwered, You will never be out of my memory whilſt life laſteth, for my love is as ſincere as diſintereſted. They were interrupted by the officers ſummoning Barnwell to his death; which ſo affected Maria that ſhe fainted away. George begged them to pray for him, and ſaid, Early my race of wickedneſs began, and ſoon has reached the ſummit, ere Nature finiſhed her work, and ſtamped me man, juſt when others began to ſtray, my courſe is finiſhed. And juſtice in compaſſion to mankind, cuts off a wretch like me; by one example to ſecure thouſands from future ruin.” Thus he parted from Trueman and Maria.