Save him from wrong, adversity, and shame, Jane S. [Rises.] The poor, forsaken, royal little ones! Shall they be left a prey to savage power? Can they lift up their harmless hands in vain, Stand forth, thou proxy of all-ruling Providence, [Returns, R. Jane S. (L. c.) No, though the royal Edward has undone me, He was my king, my gracious master still; Glos. (R. c.) Dare not, ev'n for thy soul, to thwart me further! None of your arts, your feigning, and your foolery; Go-to your lord, your paramour, be gone! Lisp in his ear, hang wanton on his neck, And play your monkey gambols o'er to him. You know my purpose, look that you pursue it, Do it-or woe upon the harlot's head. Jane S. Oh that my tongue had every grace of speech, Great and commanding, as the breath of kings; That I had art and eloquence divine, To pay my duty to my master's ashes, And plead, till death, the cause of injur'd innocence. Glos. Ha! Dost thou brave me, minion! Dost thou know How vile, how very a wretch, my pow'r can make thee? That I can place thee in such abject state, As help shall never find thee; where, repining, Thou shalt sit down, and gnaw the earth for anguish ; Jane S. Let me be branded for the public scorn, Or wrong the orphan, who has none to save him. Enter RATCLIFFE, CATESBY, and Attendants, L. [Kneels. [Goes back to his chair, and examines papers. Jane S. Oh, thou most righteous JudgeHumbly behold, I bow myself to thee, And own thy justice in this hard decree : No longer, then, my ripe offences spare, But what I merit, let me learn to bear. Yet, since 'tis all my wretchedness can give, For my past crimes my forfeit life receive; [They raise her. No pity for my sufferings here I crave, Glos. So much for this. [Exit JANE SHORE, guarded by CATESBY, L. This idle toy, this hilding scorns my power, Sir R. The council waits Upon your highness' leisure. Glos. I'll attend them. [Exeunt all, except GLOS., L. Enter DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, and other Lords, M. D. and take their seats R. and L. Der. (R.) [Rises.] In happy times we are assembled here T'appoint the day, and fix the solemn pomp For placing England's crown, with all due rites, [Sits. Has. (L.) [Rises.] Some busy, meddling knaves, 'tis said, there are, As such will still be prating, who presume To carp and cavil at his royal right; Therefore, I hold it fitting, with the soonest, T'appoint the order of the coronation : So to approve our duty to the king, And stay the babbling of such vain gainsayers. [Sits. Der. We all attend to know your highness' pleasure. What punishment your wisdom shall think meet Who shall with potions, charms, and witching drugs, Has. [Rises.] So much I hold the king your highness' debtor, So precious are you to the commonweal, That I presume, not only for myself, To say, whoe'er they be, they merit death. Glos. Then judge yourselves, convince your eyes of truth: Behold my arm, thus blasted, dry, and wither'd, [Pulling up his sleeve.-Lords all rise and close round to inspect his arm. Shrunk like a foul abortion, and decay'd, Like some untimely product of the seasons, Robb'd of its properties of strength and office. Who, in conjunction with that harlot Shore, D Like some untimely product of the season, Who, in conjunction with that harlot, Shore, Call fiends and spectres from the yawning deep, To torture and despoil me of my life.' And the following abrupt reply to Lord Hastings is admirably characteristic of this cunning and implacable tyrant:— "Lord Hastings, I arrest thee of high treason- I will not dine before his head be brought me : The rhyming couplets that conclude each act, however musically they fall upon the ear, are out of place in tragedy "Grief unaffected suits but ill with art, Or flowing numbers with a bleeding heart." Kemble's Glo'ster was wonderfully fine. His start, when he bared his withered arm, his rapid utterance half choaked with rage, and his far-beaming eye glaring beneath a profusion of raven-black hair, fully The noble burst of Mrs. Siddons, when, realized the terror of the scene. as Jane Shore, she invokes the blessings of Providence on Hastings for his fidelity to King Edward's children, was such as none but herself could reach; and her dying exclamation to her husband "Forgive me!-but forgive me!" was the last effort of a penitent and broken heart. D—G. Costume. DUKE OF GLO'STER.-Round black hat, black plumes, purple and gold mantle, crimson velvet doublet and trunks, garter, white hose, white shoes, sword and gauntlets. LORD HASTINGS.-Black hat, white plumes, white and gold doublet and trunks, white hose, garter, white shoes, sword and gauntlets. RATCLIFFE.-Black hat, white plumes, crimson and gold doublet and trunks, a cloak of scarlet and silver, buff hose, russet boots, sword and gauntlets. CATESBY.-Light blue doublet and trunks, buff hose, russet boots, sword and gauntlets. BELMOUR.-Fawn coloured doublet and trunks trimmed with black, buff hose, russet boots, sword. SHORE, or DUMONT,-Slate coloured dress and white wig, sword. Second dress-Black velvet. JANE SHORE.-Light blue satin trimmed with white lace. Second dress-White muslin. ALICIA.-White satin trimmed with white lace and silver. Second dress-Black velvet, and black crape veil. Cast of the Characters in the Tragedy of JANE SHORE, at the Theatre-Royal, Covent Garden, |