_Lord H._ Are these the proofs of tenderness and love? These endless quarrels, discontents, and jealousies, These never-ceasing waitings and complainings, These furious starts, these whirlwinds of the soul, Which every other moment rise to madness? _Alic._ What proof, alas! have I not giv'n of love? What have I not abandon'd to thy arms? Have I not set at nought my noble birth, A spotless fame, and an unblemish'd race, The peace of innocence, and pride of virtue? My prodigality has giv'n thee all; And now, I've nothing left me to bestow, You hate the wretched bankrupt you have made. _Lord H._ Why am I thus pursu'd from place to place, Kept in the view, and cross'd at ev'ry turn? In vain I fly, and, like a hunted deer, Scud o'er the lawns, and hasten to the covert; E'er I can reach my safety, you o'ertake me With the swift malice of some keen reproach, And drive the winged shaft deep in my heart. _Alic._ Hither you fly, and here you seek repose; Spite of the poor deceit, your arts are known, Your pious, charitable, midnight visits. _Lord H._ If you are wise, and prize your peace of mind, Yet take the friendly counsel of my love; Believe me true, nor listen to your jealousy. Let not that devil, which undoes your sex, That cursed curiosity, seduce you To hunt for needless secrets, which, neglected, Shall never hurt your quiet; but, once known, Shall sit upon your heart, pinch it with pain, And banish the sweet sleep for ever from you. Go to--be yet advis'd.-- _Alic._ Dost thou in scorn Preach patience to my rage, and bid me tamely Sit like a poor, contented, idiot down, Nor dare to think thou'st wrong'd me? Ruin seize thee, And swift perdition overtake thy treachery. Have I the least remaining cause to doubt? Hast thou endeavour'd once to hide thy falsehood? To hide it might have spoke some little tenderness, And shown thee half unwilling to undo me: But thou disdain'st the weakness of humanity. Thy words, and all thy actions, have confess'd it; Ev'n now thy eyes avow it, now they speak, And insolently own the glorious villany. _Lord H._ Well then, I own my heart has broke your chains. Patient, I bore the painful bondage long, At length my gen'rous love disdains your tyranny; The bitterness and stings of taunting jealousy, Vexations days, and jarring, joyless, nights, Have driv'n him forth to seek some safer shelter, Where he may rest his weary wings in peace. _Alic._ You triumph!--do! and with gigantic pride Defy impending vengeance. Heav'n shall wink; No more his arm shall roll the dreadful thunder, Nor send his lightnings forth: no more his justice Shall visit the presuming sons of men, But perjury, like thine, shall dwell in safety. _Lord H._ Whate'er my fate decrees for me hereafter, Be present to me now, my better angel! Preserve me from the storm that threatens now, And, if I have beyond atonement sinn'd, Let any other kind of plague o'ertake me, So I escape the fury of that tongue.