That infuppreffive fpirit of this ifle, Which hates injuftice, fuccours innocence, ACT II. SCENE I. WHITEHALL. Elizabeth feated on her Throne, attended by her Court and Guards. Enter CECIL. CECIL, ELIZABETH. ECIL, your hafte tells me you bring advice Of the refult of the conferrence On Mary's caufe. Cecil. My liege the conference By Norfolk, your own delegate this hour Cecil. And how long that may be, I know not; but can never with long life Eliz. Of Norfolk fay you that? Cecil. Not as a charge direct, of any crime Eliz. What mean thefe hints? Explain. [Defcending from her Throne. Cecil. The Duke arrives from Bolton, the Lord 1 Scrope's. Eliz. Indeed! I own the vifit was ill tim’d. Cecil. Or flow'd it purely from fraternal love? Eliz. Why, Cecil, you delight in dark surmise! Norfolk's an open undefigning man; His friendships and diflikes are all avow'd. Cecil. Soft clay takes deep impreffion-Flexible To any shape, is moulded easily : And facil, honeft minds, when caught by love, Eliz. Speak you of love? Cecil. Aye, mutual, in all its forms declar'd; Clofe correfpondence. Eliz. Oh, accurfed news! Oh, all feducing harlot !-Wanton Wretch ! Seeking reward for premature reports: » What proof have you of this? Cecil. Ere long compleat; Till then, my faithful word; but let not hafte For thofe who break her fetters, Eliz. Now dispatch, Ufe all your zeal-forget not Shrewsbury. SOLA. [Exit Cecil. The events begin to multiply, which tend. All to my point-This clofe imprisonment Enter NORFOLK. Nor. I fear I'm come full late; tho' not the laft In love and duty to my gracious Queen. Eliz. My Lord, we know your fame for loyalty; For honour, juftice, generofity; We think ourselves have not been wanting yet, Nor can we doubt your faith and gratitude. Nor. Forbid it Heaven that there fhould be just cause ! Eliz. Norfolk, you are our first commiffioner.Nor. As fuch, I truft I've not difgrac'd my charge, Or England's justice. Eliz. You are not accused; Think not we with for blind fubferviency In th' exercife of fuch a trust; but fay Frankly what colour wears this wondrous cause ? Nor. On Mary's fide fair as her beauteous front... Eliz How to my face? My Lord, you never speak But from the heart, fuch franknefs pleafes me, You should repair it: who wou'd not be proud [afide. Nor. Afpire to gain the Queen of Scots? fhall I, So highly countenanced by your good grace, Court one in bondage, fallen, and accus'd? Eliz. Is, then, a diadem fo fmall a prize! Nor. Pardon me, Madam. if I have no wish Eliz. Then England boasts a peer who scorns the match? Nor. Such are the gifts of bounteous Providence, Such my condition in my native land, That when furrounded by the numerous throng Enter DAVISON. Dav. Madam I come From the Earl of Liecefter, who, by illness feiz'd, Your royal name, and feems as if he wish'd Eliz, Say I'll come. [Exit Dav [Afide.] So Leicefter has fome fecret to divulge Upon his death bed, tho' I trust in Heaven He doth not yet upon his death bed lie! [Addreffed to Norfolk.] And on what pillow Norfolk lays his head, Let him beware! NORFOLK, folus. [Exit Eliz. What may this caution mean? Beware what pillow! Ha! why more is meant: He at a glance views all this bufy world, And reads our very hearts. I'll to him ftraight. [Exit Norfolk. SCENE II. Enter Cecil, meeting Lord Herries in hafte. Cecil. Whither fo faft, my Lord? L. Her. No matter, Sir, If far from regions whence all faith is flown, Cecil. How's this? L. Her. England's no more a civiliz❜d estate: The favage Afric tyrant may expofe His fubject's liberty to public fale, Seize, bind, and fell the human race like beasts, What breach of law what wrongful judgment's this? L. Her. None: for you cannot, dare not judge, Why is the then detained ? Curfe on this land Defcry your hated cliffs, tho' spent with toil, [Exit Herries. |