This earth holds not alive so poor a thing as I am—
I was not always thus,
the MS. went on (but the passage is struck out as "bad"):—
You must bear with me, Margaret, as a child,
For I am weak as tender Infancy
And cannot bear rebuke—
Would'st think it, Love!
They hoot and spit upon me as I pass
In the public streets: one shows me to his neighbour,
Who shakes his head and turns away with horror—
I was not always thus—
Margaret. Thou noble nature, etc.
The next scene—the last [page l95]—is much cut about. The long speech of Margaret beginning,
To give you in your stead a better self,
and John's reply [both printed at pages 196-7], are struck out, and "Nimis" written by Lamb's pen in large characters in the margin; but after that all goes on in harmony with the print, to the end:—
It seem'd the guilt of blood was passing from me
Even in the act and agony of tears
And all my sins forgiven.
At this point in the MS. Simon arrives:—
[A noise is heard as of one without, clamorous to come in.]
Margaret. 'Tis your brother Simon, John.