_Alic._ Now for a wile, To sting my thoughtless rival to the heart; To blast her fatal beauties, and divide her For ever from my perjur'd Hastings' eyes: Their fashions are the same, it cannot fail. [_aside: pulling out the other paper._ _Jane S._ But see, the great protector comes this way. Give me the paper, friend. _Alic._ For love and vengeance! [_aside: she gives her the other paper._ _Enter the Duke of Gloster, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Catesby, courtiers, and other attendants._ _Jane S._ [_kneeling_] O noble Gloster, turn thy gracious eye, Incline thy pitying ear to my complaint; A poor, undone, forsaken, helpless, woman, Entreats a little bread for charity, To feed her wants, and save her life from perishing. _Glos._ Arise, fair dame, and dry your wat'ry eyes. [_receiving the paper, and raising her._ Beshrew me, but 'twere pity of his heart That could refuse a boon to such a suitress. You've got a noble friend to be your advocate; A worthy and right gentle lord he is, And to his trust most true. This present now Some matters of the state detain our leisure; Those once dispatch'd, we'll call for you anon, And give your griefs redress. Go to! be comforted. _Jane S._ Good heav'ns repay your highness for this pity, And show'r down blessings on your princely head. Come, my Alicia, reach thy friendly arm, And help me to support this feeble frame, That, nodding, totters with oppressive woe, And sinks beneath its load. [_exeunt Jane S. and Alic._ _Glos._ Now by my holidame! Heavy of heart she seems, and sore afflicted. But thus it is when rude calamity Lays its strong gripe upon these mincing minions; The dainty gew-gaw forms dissolve at once, And shiver at the shock. What says her paper? [_seeming to read._ Ha! What is this? Come nearer, Ratcliffe! Catesby! Mark the contents, and then divine the meaning. [_he reads._ 'Wonder not, princely Gloster, at the notice This paper brings you from a friend unknown; Lord Hastings is inclin'd to call you master, And kneel to Richard as to England's king; But Shore's bewitching wife misleads his heart, And draws his service to king Edward's sons: Drive her away, you break the charm that holds him, And he, and all his powers, attend on you.' _Sir R._ 'Tis wonderful! _Cates._ The means by which it came Yet stranger too! _Glos._ You saw it giv'n, but now. _Sir R._ She could not know the purport. _Glos._ No, 'tis plain---- She knows it not, it levels at her life; Should she presume to prate of such high matters, The meddling harlot, dear she should abide it. _Cates._ What hand soe'er it comes from, be assur'd, It means your highness well---- _Glos._ Upon the instant, Lord Hastings will be here; this morn I mean To prove him to the quick; then if he flinch, No more but this--away with him at once, He must be mine or nothing----But he comes! Draw nearer this way, and observe me well. [_they whisper._