The Earl of Essex Part 7

_Ess.e.x._ Let Providence dispose my lot as 'twill, May watchful angels ever guard my queen; May healing wisdom in her councils reign, And firm fidelity surround her throne; May victory her dreaded banners bear, And joyful conquests crown her soldiers' brow; Let every bliss be mingled in her cup, And Heaven, at last, become her great reward. [_Exit._

_Qu. Eliz._ 'Tis done; And yet foreboding tremors shake my heart.

Something sits heavy here, and presses down My spirits with its weight. What can it mean?

Suppose he is condemn'd! my royal word Is plighted for his life; his enemies, No doubt, will censure much.--No matter; let them; I know him honest, and despise their malice.

_Enter COUNTESS of RUTLAND._

_Rut._ Where is the queen? I'll fall before her feet Prostrate; implore, besiege her royal heart, And force her to forgive.

_Qu. Eliz._ What means this phrensy?

_Rut._ Oh, gracious queen! if ever pity touch'd Your generous breast, let not the cruel axe Destroy his precious life; preserve my Ess.e.x, My life, my hope, my joy, my all, my husband!

_Qu. Eliz._ Husband!--What sudden, deadly blow is this!

Hold up, my soul, nor sink beneath this wound.---- You beg a traitor's life!

_Rut._ Oh, gracious queen!

He ever loved--was ever faithful--brave!

If nature dwells about your heart, oh, spurn Me not!--My lord! my love! my husband bleeds!

_Qu. Eliz._ Take her away.

_Rut._ I cannot let you go.

Hold off your hands!--Here on this spot I'll fix-- Here lose all sense. Still let me stretch these arms, Inexorable queen!--He yet may live.

Oh, give him to my poor, afflicted heart!

One pitying look, to save me from distraction.

_Qu. Eliz._ I'll hear no more. I'm tortured--take her hence.

_Rut._ Nay, force me not away.--Inhuman wretches!

Oh, mercy, mercy!--Then to thee, good Heaven, (My queen, my cruel queen, denies to hear me!) To thee, for mercy bend.

Melt down her bosom's frozen sense, to feel Some portion of my deadly grief, my fell Distraction.--Turn, oh, turn, and see a wife, A tortured wife----

_Qu. Eliz._ Why am I not obey'd?

_Rut._ Nay, do not thus Abandon me to fell despair. Just Heaven, That sees my sorrows, will avenge the wrong, This cruel wrong--this barbarous tyranny. [_Forced off._

_Qu. Eliz._ Wedded to Rutland! Most unhappy pair!

And, oh, ill-fated queen! Never till now Did sorrow settle in my heart its throne.

Recall my pledge of safety from his hands, And give him up to death!--But life or death To me is equal now.

Unhappy state, where peace shall never come!

One fatal moment has confirm'd my doom-- Turn'd all my comfort to intestine strife, And fill'd with mortal pangs my future life! [_Exit._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

_A Room in the Tower._

_Enter RALEIGH and LIEUTENANT of the TOWER._

_Ral._ Their peers, with much indulgence, heard their plea, And gave them ample scope for their defence; But naught avail'd--their crimes were too notorious.

They bore their sentence with becoming spirit; And here's the royal mandate for their deaths.-- The Lady Nottingham! What brings her hither?

_Enter LADY NOTTINGHAM._

_Not._ Lieutenant, lead me to the Earl of Ess.e.x, I bring a message to him from the queen.

_Lieut._ He's with his friend, the brave Southampton, madam, Preparing now for his expected fate.

But I'll acquaint his lordship with your pleasure. [_Exit._

_Ral._ What means this message? Does the queen relent?

_Not._ I fear she does; Go you to court, for Cecil there expects you.

I've promised to acquaint him with what pa.s.ses 'Twixt me and Ess.e.x, ere I see the queen.

_Ral._ Madam, I go. [_Exit._

_Not._ Now, vengeance, steel my heart!

Offended woman, whilst her pride remains, To malice only, and revenge, will bow; And every virtue at that altar sacrifice.

But see, he comes, with manly sorrow clad.

There was a time, that presence could subdue My pride, and melt my heart to gentle pity.

I then could find no joy but in his smiles, And thought him lovely as the summer's bloom; But all his beauties are now hateful grown.

_Enter ESs.e.x._

_Ess.e.x._ Whether you bring me death, or life, I know not.

But, if strict friendship, and remembrance past, May aught presage to my afflicted heart, Sure mercy only from those lips should flow, And grace be utter'd from that friendly tongue.

_Not._ My lord, I'm glad you think me still your friend.

I come not to upbraid, but serve you now; And pleased I am to be the messenger Of such glad tidings, in the day of trouble, As I now bring you. When the queen had heard, That by the lords you were condemn'd to die, She sent me, in her mercy, here to know If you had aught to offer, that might move Her royal clemency to spare your life.

_Ess.e.x._ Could any circ.u.mstance new l.u.s.tre add To my dread sovereign's goodness, 'tis the making The kind, the generous Nottingham its messenger.

_Not._ 'Tis well, my lord; but there's no time to spare-- The queen impatient waits for my return.

_Ess.e.x._ My heart was wishing for some faithful friend, And bounteous Heaven hath sent thee to my hopes.

Know then, kind Nottingham, for now I'll trust Thee with the dearest secret of my life, 'Tis not long since, the queen (who well foresaw To what the malice of my foes would drive me) Gave me this ring, this sacred pledge of mercy; And with it made a solemn vow to Heaven, That, whensoever I should give, or send It back again, she'd freely grant whate'er Request I then should make.

_Not._ Give, give it me, My lord! and let me fly, on friendship's wings, To bear it to the queen, and to it add My prayers and influence to preserve thy life.

_Ess.e.x._ Oh! take it then--it is the pledge of life!

Oh! it is my dear Southampton's Last, last remaining stay! his thread of being, Which more than worlds I prize!--Oh, take it, then; Take it, thou guardian angel of my life, And offer up the incense of my prayer!