Cecil. Are but fresh motives for example fake. • Cecil. And her Ambaffador, Who wou'd have forc'd the Tower, and feized yourself! Eliz. That must be nicely weighed; for fove. reignty, Aye, but the fhadow of it, claims regard : 'Tis not for us to extinguish hastily • That emanation from the royal light; Altho' the fource from whence it fprings may feem • Somewhat obfcure and clouded • Cecil. But if threats • Produce confeffion, we may learn to guard 'Gainst farther harm.' Nay, he anticipates my inmoft thoughts. [Exit Cecil. Th' ambitious Duke's difpos'd of; fuch half plac'd, I fhou'd have fent her crofs the Tweed ere now, And tremble on my Throne. [Exit Eliz. SCENE II. Enter DAVISON to CECIL: Dav. The fatal order's fent; e'en now the Duke Prepares for death. Cecil. Oh, Davifon! these times Demand dispatch? patience muft have its bounds, Dav. Yet the piteous fall Of this beloved, generous Duke, will rend Cecil. Such esteem, And general fympathy, denote his fway And empire o'er the affections of the land; Of liberating helplefs captive Queens. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Tower. NORFOLK and the LIEUTENANT difcovered. Nor. No, good Lieutenant; I am at a point, Up life's fleep rough ascent; and now must leap Lieut. Yet ftill my Lord, There's room for mercy; and if fame fpeaks true, Good caufe for it. 'Tis faid your Grace did save Her Majesty's own perfon from affault. Nor. As I'm a Christian man, and doom'd to die, 'Tis true; and never have I aught devis'd Against her facred felf: but 'tis in vain To fue for mercy; nor is it my wish To ask that mercy which I've once abus'd. Cou'd I but fend one [Enter a fervant delivering a paper to the Lieutenant.] Alas! Ha! what's that I fee? Nor. Enough! I read it in your looks: Lieut. My Lord, the guards attend. Enter Sheriff and Guards. Nor. I am content, thank Heav'n, to meet my fate, Not from indifference to life, or claim To innocence; far otherwife in both: I caft the world behind me-One farewel! Sher. My Lord, in truth, we may not wait. Tho' he's pronounc'd a traitor by his Peers, So may I be the last, in her blest reign! And by her hand, do thou, oh, gracious Heav'n ! Sher. Alas! My Lord! Delay is at our peril, we beseech Nor. A little moment! I had fomething yetBut let it pafs! here! here it refts; while yet Life's current flows, while yet my nerves perform Their functions-Mary! I must think on thee! Blefs thee with my last breath: may Heav'n afford That fuccour which this mortal arm in vain Attempted! may it thou never feel fuch pangs As he who dies for thee! and now, e'en now, Flies with impatience from this hell to feek A refuge in the cold embrace of death.bread on! --Oh, Mary! Mary! Mary! SCENE IV. WHITEHALL. Enter ELIZABETH and CECIL. Eliz. Cecil! our laft commands have been per form'd ? Cecil. Madam, they have. Eliz. And how behav'd the Duke? Cecil. With manly, decent conftancy; and feem'd Against your crown and perfon; at the laft, Eliz. [afide.] How! how's this! intent On English ground, his privilege is gone, • Or risk my life to grace my prifoner. Cecil. The French King's minifter, of late, is grown Importunate for fresh indulgences; That she may be allowed to take the air, With fit attire and decent retinue; All this is afk'd of grace; not as a part Eliz. If that ferve T'amuse and hood-wink France, fhe'll think no · more On Mary.'-Davifon! what brings thee thus? Enter DAVISON. Dav. Dispatches from your Minifter in France. Dav. Heavier far, and worfe Than mortal ears can bear; Heav'n guard us all Ne'er faw or heard of. Eliz. Speak! no more delay. Dav. Then hear the fate of all our friends in Swept from the face of the earth, exterminate, Dealt by the hand of Rome; there fcarcely lives Eliz. and Cecil. The massacre Dav. I faid the word: the tale Runs thus:-That fignals from the Louvre top Eliz. Oh! let me fhed one tear for that great man! Dav. Marshalls of France, and Bifhops led the band, Invoking Heav'n. yet calling out for blood; Look'd on, encourag'd, nay imbru'd his hands, |