Tho' 'tis a poor difconfolate abode: For ftill they wait with pleasure on their Queen, But thefe are fentiments thou canst not feel. words, without more idle There's one condition, and but one, by which Mary. No more! perform The part that fuits thee, jailor!-Thou lack'st wit Hunt. Then be it fo! Attendants follow me; [Exit Shrewsbury and Huntingdon with the attendants following reluctantly. Give up my Crown; my fon; fupport my foe, Tis a plain challenge to a Queen-Refign • Of eminence in early youth imbib'd, And grown habitual, to thofe whom chance • Or elfe prepare, and fummon fortitude To brave the threats of power, the taunts, the fcorn, That bittereft produce of the meanest plant Perhaps her iron hand may rend these limbs; • And stand the fiery trial-Ah! who's that? Enter NORFOLK in Disguise. Nor. Oh, fear me not, my life! 'tis I; 'Tis Norfolk at your feet. Mary. Oh, Heavens! once more How have you 'feap'd the jaws of that fell tygrefs! Nor. By the gift you gave; Your token known, they traight conducted me, Mary Danger is no more When my brave Norfolk's come; we'll talk of love, Of future blifs, and paint gay fcenes of joy, Counting our happy days before their time. Nor. Alas! that's all, I fear, we e'er can hope. Mary. Let not your noble spirit. Norfolk, fail! Nor. Spirit will fail when reafon cannot hope. Mary Norfolk cannot despond in Mary's caufe. Nor. Oh, think no more of fuch a worthlefs wretch; A bafe, mean villain, traitor to my Queen. Mary. Is love for me fuch treason in her fight? Nor. My treafon is not 'gainft my lawful Queen, But again her, to whom I'm bound by ties. Dearer than dull cold duty Mary. Mean you me? Doubtless you made confeffion of your love; Was that a treason against me? 'twas great, NORFOLK, [Afide.] How fhall I wound her gen'rous, noble heart? Mary. What do I hear? Oh, fay not fo, my love! You are not capable of fuch a thought. Nor. Alas! I've pledg'd my word; I've fworn to it. Mary. Extorted vows are void, mere idle breath. Nor. Mine have not been so hitherto A facred oath Mary. Had I no oath from you? NORFOLK, [Afide.] an oath, Ah! there's the dreadful maze, the double road, Your poor, forlorn, and faithful prifoner; NORFOLK, [Afide.] Be firm, my foul! Oh, torture! Mary. Cruel man! To caft me off becaufe I'm here confin'd: What have I done to change your nature thus; Nor. The horror of my crimes comes thick upon me. Cou'd I then leave thee thus, a prey to grief; Is to devote my life to rescue thee; To ftem the torrent, and oppofe the flood, And fnatch thee from the waves of mifery. Mary. Are you then fill my Norfolk? Do I dream? Nor. No, while there's life in this poor frame, and while Mary. Enough, my Norfolk! I am the debtor now: Your noble refolution doth restore The genial current of my frozen blood; The blood of many hundred Kings doth rife With thoughts of nobler deeds, and times to come. Nor. Then farewel, beautiful and injur'd faint! Burft wide thefe bars, and once more charm the world Mary. Remember me-Farewel! A C T IV. SCENE I. WHITEHALL. Enter ELIZABETH and CECIL. CECIL ELIZABETH. ECIL! what more? the Duke, you fay, is fecur'd. Cecil. Aye! beyond 'fcape, my liege !-He's on his way; Perhaps has reach'd the Tower. Eliz. Your interceffion for that liberty Which prov'd his bane. Cecil. Sir, he may thank Reproaches from my Queen, Heav'n favours none So juft, like the chastisement of Heav'n On thofe it favours. Eliz. But thofe that fee their errors, and repent Cecil. If I repent me not the part I took, May I be fharer in his punishment. Eliz. We know your faith; 'twas error we're convinc'd; Let affiduity atone for it; Probe this infernal plot. This train of correfpondence, 'twixt the Duke, Cecil, my foes are numerous and strong. Cecil. Were they in number as the fummer leaves, Their autumn doth approach; they foon fhall fall, Blafted, and driven by the wind. Eliz. This day. One falls at least; this faithless Lord no more Shall dupe me with his promifes; let him Await his doom- yet flay! his birth and name- E. |