The Earl of Essex Part 2

SCENE II.

_Presence Chamber._

_The QUEEN discovered, sitting on her Throne. RALEIGH, LORDS, and ATTENDANTS._

_Qu. Eliz._ Without consulting me! presumptuous man!

Who governs here?--What! am not I your queen?

You dared not, were he present, take this step.

_Ral._ Dread sovereign, your ever faithful commons Have, in their grat.i.tude and love for you, Preferred this salutary bill against him.

_Enter BURLEIGH._

_Qu. Eliz._ You, my Lord Burleigh, must have known of this.

The commons here impeach the Earl of Ess.e.x Of practising against the state and me.

Methinks I might be trusted with the secret.

Speak, for I know it well, 'twas thy contrivance.

Ha! was it not? You dare not say it was not.

_Bur._ I own my judgment did concur with theirs.

His crimes, I fear, will justify the charge, And vindicate their loyalty and mine.

_Qu. Eliz._ Ha! tell not me your smooth deceitful story!

I know your projects, and your close cabals, You'd turn my favour into party feuds, And use my sceptre as the rod of faction: But Henry's daughter claims a n.o.bler soul.

I'll nurse no party, but will reign o'er all, And my sole rule shall be to bless my people: Who serves them best, has still my highest favour: This Ess.e.x ever did.

_Enter SOUTHAMPTON._

Behold, Southampton, What a base portrait's here! The faithful Ess.e.x Here drawn at large, a.s.sociating with rebels, To spoil his country, and dethrone his queen!

_South._ It is not like.--By Heaven, the hand of envy Drew these false lines, distorted far from truth And honour, and unlike my n.o.ble friend As light to shade, or h.e.l.l to highest heaven.

Then suffer not, thou best of queens, this lord, This valiant lord, to fall a sacrifice To treachery and base designs; who now Engages death in all his horrid shapes, Amidst a hardy race, inured to danger; But let him, face to face, this charge encounter, And every falsehood, like his foes, shall fly.

_Qu. Eliz._ To me you seem to recommend strict justice, In all her pomp of power. But are you sure No subtle vice conceal'd a.s.sumes her garb!

Take heed, that malice does not wear the mask, Nor envy deck her in the borrow'd guise.

Rancour has often darken'd reason's eye, And judgment winks, when pa.s.sion holds the scale.

Impeach the very man to whom I owe My brightest rays of glory! Look to it, lords; Take care, be cautious on what ground you tread; Let honest means alone secure your footing.

Raleigh and you withdraw, and wait our leisure.

[_Exeunt RALEIGH and SOUTHAMPTON._ Lord Burleigh, stay; we must with you have farther Conference.--I see this base contrivance plain.

Your jealousy and pride, your envy of His s.h.i.+ning merit, brought this bill to light.

But mark me, as you prize our high regard And favour, I command you to suppress it: Let not our name and power be embarra.s.s'd In your perplexing schemes. 'Twas you began, And therefore you must end it.

_Bur._ I obey.

Yet humbly would entreat you to consider How new, unpopular, this step must be, To stand between your parliament's enquiry And this offending lord.--We have such proofs--

_Qu. Eliz._ Reserve your proofs to a more proper season, And let them then appear. But once again We charge you, on your duty and allegiance, To stop this vile proceeding; and to wait Till Ess.e.x can defend himself in person.

If then your accusations are of force, The laws, and my consent, no doubt, are open.

He has my strict command, with menace mix'd, To end effectually this hated war, Ere he presume to quit the Irish coast.

_Bur._ Madam, my duty now compels me to--

_Qu. Eliz._ No more! see that my orders be obey'd. [_Exit BURLEIGH._ Ess.e.x a traitor!--it can never be-- His grateful and his honest soul disdains it.-- Can he prove false? so high advanced, so honour'd, So near my favour--and--I fear, so near My heart!--Impossible.--This Burleigh hates him, And, as his rival, therefore would destroy him; But he shall find his narrow schemes defeated.

In vain their fraudful efforts shall combine To shake my settled soul, my firm design; Resolved to lift bright virtue's palm on high, Support her grandeur, and her foes defy. [_Exit._

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_An Antichamber in the Palace._

_Enter BURLEIGH._

_Bur._ Ess.e.x arrived! Confusion to my hopes!

His presence will destroy me with the queen.

I much suspect he had some private notice, Perhaps, a punctual order, to return.

He lurks too near her heart.--What's to be done?

Now is the important crisis-- Keep up thy usual strength, my better genius!

Direct my steps to crush my mortal foe.

_Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RALEIGH._

_Qu. Eliz._ It cannot be! Return'd without my leave!

Against my strict command!--Impossible!

_Ral._ Madam, the earl is now at court, and begs An audience of your majesty.

_Qu. Eliz._ Amazing!

What! break his trust! desert his high command, Forsake his post, and disobey his queen!

'Tis false--invented all.--You wish it so.

_Bur._ Madam, I wish some other rumours false; Reports, I fear, of great concern to you.

_Qu. Eliz._ What rumours? what reports? your frown would much Denote: your preface seems important.--Speak.

_Bur._ Some new commotions are of late sprung up In Ireland, where the west is all in arms, And moves with hasty march to join Tyrone, And all his northern clans. A dreadful power!

Nay, more; we have advices from the borders, Of sudden risings, near the banks of Tweed; 'Tis thought to favour an attempt from Scotland.

Meanwhile, Tyrone embarks six thousand men To land at Milford, and to march where Ess.e.x Shall join them with his friends.

_Qu. Eliz._ (_Apart._) In league with James!

And plotting with Tyrone! It cannot be.

His very pride disdains such perfidy.

But is not Ess.e.x here without my leave!