AND SHE RECALLS THE SPRING.”—Page 81.

The seasons Philomel obey,
Whate'er they hear her sing;
She bids the Winter fly away,
And she recalls the Spring.

ON MR. BAYES'* DRAMATIC PIECES.

WIT and the Laws had both the same ill fate,
And partial Tyrants sway'd in either state.
Ill-natur'd Censure would be sure to dawn
And alien Wit of independent fame,

While Bayes, grown old, and harden'd in offence,
Was suffer'd to write on in spite of sense;
Back'd by his friends, th' invader brought along
A crew of foreign words into our tongue,
To ruin and enslave the free-born English song,
Still the prevailing faction propt his throne,
And to four volumes let his plays run on.

SELECTION.

WHO knows the joys of friendship?

The trust, security, and mutual tenderness,

The double joys, where each is glad for both?

Friendship our only wealth, our last retreat and strength,
Secure against ill-fortune and the world.

STRAY SELECTIONS FROM THE FAIR PENITENT.

As if Misfortune made the throne her seat,
And none could be unhappy but the great.

-Prologue.

At length the morn and cold indifference came.
-Act I.

Is she not more than painting can express,
Or youthful poets fancy when they love?

-Act III.

Is this that haughty gallant, gay Lothario?

-Act V.

*Bayes was Dryden's name in the satirical verse of the day.

STRAY SELECTIONS FROM LADY JANE GREY.

Some secret venom preys upon his heart;

A stubborn and unconquerable flame

Creeps in his veins and drinks the streams of life.

Thou art the man in whom my soul delights,
In whom, next heaven, I trust.

Thou hast prevaricated with thy friend,
By underhand contrivances undone me;
And while my open nature trusted in thee,
Thou hast stepp'd in between me and my hopes,
And ravish'd from me all my soul held dear,
Thou hast betray'd me.

PENITENCE AND DEATH OF JANE SHORE.

Jane Shore, her Husband, and Belmour.

Belmour. How fare you, lady?

Jane Shore. My heart is thrilled with horror.

Belmour.

Be of courage;

Your husband lives. 'Tis he, my worthiest friend!

Jane Shore. Still art thou there? Still dost thou hover

round me?

Oh, save me, Belmour, from his angry shade!
Belmour. 'Tis he himself. He lives! Look up.
Jane Shore.

Oh, that my eyes could shut him out forever!

I dare not.

Shore. Am I so hateful, then, so deadly to thee
To blast thy eyes with horror? Since I'm
Grown a burden to the world, myself, and thee,
Would I had ne'er survived to see thee more.

Jane Shore. Oh, thou most injured, dost thou live, indeed? Fall, then, ye mountains, on my guilty head!

Hide me, ye rocks, within your secret caverns!

Cast thy black veil upon my shame, O night!

And shield me with thy sable wing forever.

Shore. Why dost thou turn away? Why tremble thus ? Why thus indulge thy fears, and in despair

Abandon thy distracted soul to horror?

Cast every black and guilty thought behind thee,

And let 'em never vex thy quiet more.

My arms, my heart, are open to receive thee,

To bring thee back to thy forsaken home,
With tender joy, with fond, forgiving love.

Let us haste.

Now, while occasion seems to smile on us,
Forsake this place of shame and find a shelter.
Jane Shore. What shall I say to you? But I obey.
Lean on my arm.

Shore.

Jane Shore. Alas! I'm wondrous faint.

But that's not strange. I have not ate these three days.
Shore.

Oh, merciless!

Jane Shore. Oh, I'm sick at heart!
Shore.
Thou murderous sorrow!
Would thou still drink her blood, pursue her still?
Must she, then, die? Oh, my poor penitent!
Speak peace to thy sad heart. She hears me not.
Grief masters every sense.

Enter Catesby, with a Guard.

Catesby. Seize on 'em both, as traitors to the state!
Belmour. What means this violence?

Catesby.

[Guards lay hold on Shore and Belmour.
Have we not found you,

In scorn of the protector's strict command,
Assisting this base woman and abetting her infamy?
Shore.

Infamy on thy head!

Thou tool of power, thou pander to authority!

I tell thee, knave, thou know'st of none so virtuous,
And she that bore thee was an Ethiop to her.

Catesby. You'll answer this at full. Away with 'em!
Shore. Is charity grown treason to your court?

What honest man would live beneath such rulers?

I am content that we should die together.

Catesby. Convey the men to prison; but for herLeave her to hunt her fortune as she may.

Jane Shore. I will not part with him. For me--for me? Oh! must he die for me?

Shore.

[Following him as he is carried off. She falls.

Inhuman villains!

[Breaks from the Guards.

-Stand off! The agonies of death are on her.

She pulls, she gripes me hard with her cold hand.

Jane Shore. Was this blow wanting to complete my ruin?

Oh, let me go, ye ministers of terror!

He shall offend no more, for I will die,

And yield obedience to your cruel master.
Tarry a little, but a little longer,

And take my last breath with you.