with thee. Put it up, put it up: I command thee to do it; and thou knoweft I have not often used this ftern word.

HERMAN.

O no, fir! You have not indeed ufed it; and I fhall never meet with another mafter like you.

RAYNER.

Thou wilt meet, I hope, my dear Herman, with a far better master than I have been to thee, though not with one for whom thou wilt do so much kindly fervice as thou haft done for me; and for this cause, perhaps, thou wilt not love him fo much. God profper thee for it, wherever thou goeft!-Take this embrace and blefling for all thou haft done for Farewel! farewel! thou must be gone now; indeed thou muft. God bless thee, my good Herman. (Pushing Herman gently off the stage, whe wipes his eyes and feems unwilling to go.) Exit Herman.)

RAYNER (alone).

Now am I left alone: there's no one near me

That e'er hath loved or cared for me.

I now can better look i'th' furly face

Methinks

Mine alter'd ftate, and bear to be in want.

I am alone, and I am glad of it.

Alas! chang'd heart of mine! what is that state Which gives to thee fuch thoughts?-ElizabethAt it again! This strong idea ftill!

I am distracted when I think of this,

Therefore I muft not, if I would be honest.

Those menor are they men or are they devils! With whom I met last night; they've fasten'd on

me

Fell thoughts, which, tho' I fpurn them, haunt me

ftill.

Would I had never met them!

Here comes my landlord with his furly face Of debts and claims, and ev'ry irksome thing. (Enter Landlord with a letter.)

Good morrow, Landlord.

LANDLORD.

I thank you, fir; I am glad to hear you call me Landlord, for I began to be afraid you had mistaken me for your Hoft.

RAYNER.

I understand you well enough, and indeed I have, proved your patience, or rather your impatience, much longer than I wished. You have a letter in your hand.

LANDLORD (giving it).

There, Sir; if it bring you the news of any good luck, I fhall be glad of it.

RAYNER (agitated).

From Elizabeth.-Good morning-good morn

ing to you.

LANDLORD.

Read it, fir, and fee if it bring you any good news; it is time now to look for fome change in your favour.

RAYNER.

I cannot open it whilst thou art here. Have the goodness at least not to stand so near me.

LANDLORD.

So I must not occupy a place in my own house, forfooth, for fear of offending the good folks who do me the honour to live in it. (retires to the bottom of the ftage muttering to himself.)

RAYNER (after opening the letter with great emotion and reading it).

O what is this!

Abandon'd by the friend with whom she liv'd,
And coming here to join me with all speed!
O God! O God! (finks down upon a chair in

violent agitation.)

LANDLORD. (running up to him).

What is the matter now?

RAYNER.

Beyone, begone! I cannot answer thee.

Enter COUNT ZATERLOO.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

Ha, Rayner! how is't with thee? thou look'ft wildly.

(To Landlord.) Speak to me, friend: he heeds not what I fay:

Has any new misfortune happen'd to him?

LANDLORD.

I fear there has, fir.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

Roufe thee up, brave Rayner,

A friend is come to thee.

RAYNER (Starting up).

Ha, is it thee?

Com'st thou upon me now, my tempter? now,
Ev'n in my very moment of distraction?

Thou know'ft thy time: fome fiend has whisper'd to thee.

Ay, ay fay what thou wilt.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

Thou'rt furely mad; I came not, on my word, To fay aught to thee which an honeft ear Might not receive; nor will I even fpeak, Since it fo moves thee

RAYNER (interrupting him eagerly).
Ah, but thou must!

Thou must speak that, which, in its darkest hour,
Push'd to extremity, 'midft ringing dizziness
The ear of defperation doth receive,
And I must listen to it.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

What, fay'st thou fo? 'Tis well (afide), but be more prudent,

We are o'erheard. (looking fufpiciously to Landlord, who has retired a few paces behind.)

Come with me to my lodgings;

There wait my friends; all things shall be concerted: Come with me inftantly; the time is precious.

RAYNER (in a tone of defpair, clafping his hands vehemently).

Ay, ay! I'll go with thee.

(Exeunt Count Zaterloo and Rayner:

Manet Landlord.

LANDLORD (coming forward).

What's this I've overheard? Is this devil now going to tempt the poor diftreffed young man to do fome foul deed in his neceffity?-I have tempted him too, with my hard-hearted murmuring about the few wretched pounds that he owes me. I'll run after him and fay, I don't care whether he pay me or not. (running to the door and then stopping D