Part 7 (1/2)
_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.