The Earl of Essex Part 4

It has, it has; my Ess.e.x is return'd!

But language poorly speaks the joys I feel; Let pa.s.sion paint, and looks express my soul.

_Ess.e.x._ With thee, my sweetest comfort, I'll retire From splendid palaces, and glitt'ring throngs, To live embosom'd in the shades of joy, Where sweet content extends her friendly arms, And gives increasing love a lasting welcome.

With thee, I'll timely fly from proud oppression.

Forget our sorrows, and be bless'd for ever.

_Rut._ Oh! let us hence, beyond the reach of power, Where fortune's hand shall never part us more!

In this calm state of innocence and joy, I'll press thee to my throbbing bosom close.

Ambition's voice shall call in vain; the world, The thankless world, shall never claim thee more, And all thy business shall be love and me.

_Ess.e.x._ The queen, incensed at my return, abandons me To Cecil's malice, and the rage of faction.

I'm now no more the fav'rite child of fortune: My enemies have caught me in the toil, And life has nothing worth my wish but thee.

_Rut._ Delusive dream of fancied happiness!

And has my fatal fondness then destroy'd thee?

Oh, have I lured thee to the deadly snare Thy cruel foes have laid?

I dreaded Cecil's malice, and my heart, Longing to see thee, with impatience listen'd To its own alarms; and prudence sunk beneath The force of love.

_Ess.e.x._ Forbear, my only comfort; Oh, tell me not of danger, death, and Burleigh; Let every star shed down its mortal bane On my unshelter'd head: whilst thus I fold Thee in my raptured arms, I'll brave them all, Defy my fate, and meet its utmost rigour.

_Rut._ Alas, my lord! consider where we are.

Oh, 'tis the queen's apartment; Each precious moment is by fate beset, And time stands trembling whilst we thus confer.

_Ess.e.x._ Then, let us hence from this detested place; My rescued soul disdains the house of greatness, Where humble honesty can find no shelter.

From hence we'll fly, where love and greatness call; Where happiness invites--that wish of all: With sweet content enjoy each blissful hour, Beyond the smiles of fraud, or frowns of power. [_Exeunt._

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

_An Apartment in the Palace._

_Enter BURLEIGH and LADY NOTTINGHAM._

_Not._ My lord, I've sought you out with much impatience.

You've had an audience of the queen: what follow'd?

_Bur._ Soon as I told her, Ess.e.x had refused To yield his dignities, and staff of office, Against her high command, p.r.o.nounced by me, She seem'd deprived of reason for a moment; Her working mind betray'd contending pa.s.sions; She paused, like thunder in some kindling cloud, Then instant burst with dreadful fury forth: "And has th' ungrateful wretch defy'd my mandate?

The proud, audacious traitor, scorn'd my power?

He dares not, sure?--He dies--the villain dies!"

I instantly withdrew, But soon was countermanded, and desired To bring the Earl of Ess.e.x to her presence.

I like it not; and much I fear she'll stand Between this high offender and the laws.

_Not._ Is Ess.e.x then secured?

_Bur._ Madam, he is; And now comes guarded to the court.

_Enter GENTLEMAN._

_Gent._ Madam, the queen Is in her closet, and desires to see you. [_Exit._

_Not._ I attend her.

_Bur._ She wants, no doubt, to be advised by you.

Improve this fair occasion, urge it home.

_Not._ I know her foible. Ess.e.x long has had An interest in her heart, which nothing can O'erturn, except his own ungovern'd spirit: It is, indeed, the instrument by which We work, and cannot fail, if rightly used.

_Bur._ Madam, the queen expects you instantly.

I must withdraw, and wait the earl's arrival. [_Exeunt severally._

SCENE II

_The Queen's Closet._

_QUEEN ELIZABETH discovered._

_Qu. Eliz._ Ill-fated, wretched man! perverse and obstinate!

He counterworks my grace, and courts destruction.

He gives his deadly foes the dagger to Destroy him, and defeats my friendly purpose, Which would, by seeming to abandon, save him.

Nor will he keep the mask of prudence on A moment's s.p.a.ce.--What! must I bear this scorn!

No: let me all the monarch re-a.s.sume; Exert my power, and be myself again.

Oh, ill-performing, disobedient, heart!

Why shrink'st thou, fearful, from thy own resolve?

_Enter LADY NOTTINGHAM._

Thou comest in time; I'm much disturb'd, abused, My Nottingham, and would complain to thee Of insolence, neglect, and high contempt.

Ess.e.x presumed to dictate laws within My palace gates. How say'st thou, Nottingham?

_Not._ Surely, my gracious queen, it cannot be!

His heat and pa.s.sion never could impel him To take so bold a step, to such rash guilt: Methinks his very honour should prevent it.

_Qu. Eliz._ This haughty man has wanton'd with my grace, Abused my bounty, and despised my favours.

_Not._ His conduct has, I fear, been too unguarded: His hasty temper knows not where to stop.

Ambition is the spur of all his actions, Which often drives him o'er his duty's limits; (At least his enemies would have it so.) But malice, madam, seldom judges right.

_Qu. Eliz._ Oh, Nottingham! his pride is past enduring; This insolent, audacious man, forgets His honour and allegiance;--and refused To render up his staff of office, here, Beneath my very eye.

_Not._ Presumptuous man!

Your faithful subjects will resent this pride, This insolence, this treason to their queen; They must, my gracious sovereign. 'Tis not safe To s.h.i.+eld him longer from their just resentment.