"Bir. Where will this end?

"Isa. The rugged hand of fate has got between

"Our meeting hearts, and thrusts them from their joys:"

Since we must part

Bir. Nothing shall ever part us.

"Isa. Parting's the least that is set down for me: "Heav'n has decreed, and we must suffer all.

"Bir. I know thee innocent: I know myself so: "Indeed we both have been unfortunate; "But sure misfortunes ne'er were faults in love." Isa. Oh there's a fatal story to be told;

Be deaf to that, as heav'n has been to me!

"And rot the tongue that shall reveal my shame:"

When thou shalt hear how much thou hast been wrong'd,

How wilt thou curse thy fond believing heart,
Tear me from the warm bosom of thy love,
And throw me like a pois'nous weed away:
"Can I bear that? Bear to be curst and torn,
"And thrown out of thy family and name,
"Like a disease ?" Can I bear this from thee?
"I never can:" No, all things have their end.
When I am dead, forgive and pity me.

Bir. Stay, my Isabella

[Exit.

What can she mean? These doubtings will dis

tract me:

Some hidden mischief soon will burst to light;

I cannot bear it-I must be satisfied

'Tis she, my wife, must clear this darkness to me. She shall-if the sad tale at last must come!

She is my fate, and best can speak my doom.

[Exit.

I KNOW enough: th' important question
Of life or death, fearful to be resolv❜d,
Is clear'd to me: I see where it must end;
And need enquire no more-Pray, let me have
Pen, ink, and paper; I must write a-while,
And then I'll try to rest-to rest for ever!

[Exit Nurse,

Poor Isabella! now I know the cause,
The cause of thy distress, and cannot wonder
That it has turn'd thy brain. If I look back
Upon thy loss, it will distract me too.
Oh, any curse but this might be remov'd!
But 'twas the rancorous malignity

Of all ill stars combin'd, of heav'n and fate-
Hold, hold my impious tongue-Alas! I ravę:
Why do I tax the stars, or heav'n, or fate ?
They are all innocent of driving us

Into despair; they have not urg'd my doom;

My father and my brother are my fates,

That drive me to my ruin. They knew well
I was alive. Too well they knew how dear
My Isabella Oh, my wife no more!
How dear her love was to me--Yet they stood,
With a malicious silent joy, stood by,
And saw her give up all my happiness,

The treasure of her beauty to another;
"Stood by, and saw her marry'd to another :"
Oh, cruel father! and unnatural brother!

"Shall I not tell you that you have undone me?” I have but to accuse you of my wrongs,

Sits heavy on me, and benumbs my pains:
Either is welcome; but the hand of death

Works always sure,

and best can close my eyes.

[Exit Biron.

Enter Nurse and SAMPSON.

Nurse. Here's strange things towards, Sampson: what will be the end of 'em, do you think?

but

Samp. Nay, marry, Nurse, I cann't see so far; the law, I believe, is on Biron, the first husband's side.

Nurse. Yes; no question, he has the law on his side. Samp. For I have heard, the law says, a woman must be a widow, all out seven years, before she can marry again, according to law.

Nurse. Ay, so it does; and our lady has not been a widow all together seven years.

Samp. Why then, Nurse, mark my words, and say I told you so the man must have his wife again, and all will do well.

Nurse. But if our master, Villeroy, comes back again.

Samp. Why, if he does, he is not the first man that has had his wife taken from him.

Nurse. For fear of the worst, will you go to the old count, desire him to come as soon as he can; there may be mischief, and he is able to prevent it.

Samp. Now you say something; now I take you, Nurse; that will do well, indeed: mischief should be prevented; a little thing will make a quarrel, when there's a woman in the way. I'll about it instantly.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Draws, shews BIRON asleep on a Couch.

ISABELLA.

Enter

Isa. Asleep so soon! Oh, happy! happy thou,

Who thus can sleep! I never shall sleep more-
If then to sleep be to be happy, he

Who sleeps the longest, is the happiest ;
Death is the longest sleep-Oh, have a care!
Mischief will thrive apace. Never wake more.

[To Biron.

If thou didst ever love thy Isabella,
To-morrow must be doomsday to thy peace.

-The sight of him disarms ev'n death itself.

-The starting transport of new quick'ning life
Gives just such hopes; and pleasure grows again
With looking on him-Let me look my last-
But is a look enough for parting love!
Sure I may take a kiss- -Where am I going!
Help, help me, Villeroy !-Mountains and seas
Divide your love, never to meet my shame.

[Throws herself upon the Floor; after a short Pause,
she raises herself upon her Elbow.

What will this battle of the brain do with me!
This little ball, this ravag'd province, long
Cannot maintain-The globe of earth wants room
And food for such a war-I find I'm going—

Famine, plagues, and flames,

Wide waste and desolation, do your work
Upon the world, and then devour yourselves.
-The scene shifts fast-[She rises.] and now 'tis
better with me;

Conflicting passions have at last unhing'd

The great machine! the soul itself seems chang'd!
Oh, 'tis a happy revolution here!

"The reas'ning faculties are all depos'd;
"Judgment, and understanding, common-sense,
"Driv'n out as traitors to the public peace.

"Now I'm reveng'd upon my memory,
"Her seat dug up, where all the images
"Of a long mis-spent life, were rising still,
"To glare a sad reflection of my crimes,

"And stab a conscience thro' 'em! You are safe,