k her meanings,
Which from her scatter'd words I could not gather.
Besides, she mutter'd strangely to herself.
Some sad disasters are I fear approaching,
Whilst every countenance betrays distress. [He goes off.]

SCENE II.

A room in a tavern.

ANDREWS and JEFFERSON together, the first walking to and fro
in much agitation.

ANDREWS. And is this surely so? my blood runs chill.
Oh! tell me, how, or when I've been thine enemy,
That thou could'st calmly mean me all this mischief.
I cannot credit it.

JEFFERSON. 'Tis, 'tis too true-- [Weeps.]

ANDREWS. I once thought Jefferson the child of virtue.

JEFFERSON. To fix me such, your lessons were not wanting.
But oh! when we indulge one vicious passion,
A train of others unforeseen will follow,
Until at length all virtue is extinguish'd.

ANDREWS. What's to be done! distress crowds on distress------
Inhuman! barbarous! most abandon'd woman!
And thou curs'd instrument!--Yet hold, my heart!--
I see contrition in his mournful eye,
And feel soft pity throbbing in my bosom:
Deluded youth!--no object for revenge-- [Aside]

JEFFERSON. I am indeed accurs'd; I have betray'd
The most indulgent master, best of friends!
But you will shortly have sufficient vengeance.
A dose I this night drank will rid me speedily
Of that sad life I can endure no longer.

ANDREWS. Oh! 'twas a desp'rate act!--Could'st thou conceive,
A crime, to the Almighty so offensive,
Would for thy other failings make atonement;
May there not yet be help?

JEFFERSON. 'Tis now too late,
The deadly drug, works far, and I grow faint--

ANDREWS. 'Twere better to have liv'd whole years in penitence,
Or wild despair, to expiate your guilt.

JEFFERSON. Oh! cou'd I hope for your assisting prayers,
'Twou'd be some comfort to my fainting soul.
You are so good, you cannot but have interest
In those blest dwellings, whence my foul offences
May have excluded me, alas, for ever!
Nor dare I lift or eye or hand for mercy.

ANDREWS. Sad-fated youth! my own distracted state
Is suited ill to intercourse with heaven.
But lose no time yourself: that righteous judge,
Whom you have so repeatedly offended,
Abounds in mercy, as he doth in justice;
And