Rut.Eternal discord tear the social world,And nature's laws dissolve! expunge—eraseThe hated marks of Time's engraving hand,And every trace destroy! Arise, Despair!Assert thy rightful claim—possess me all!Bear, bear me to my murder'd lord—to claspHis bleeding body in my dying arms!And, in the tomb, embrace his dear remains,And mingle with his dust—for ever![Exit.
Qu. Eliz.Hapless woman!She shall henceforth be partner of my sorrows,And we'll contend who most shall weep for Essex.Oh, quick to kill, and ready to destroy![ToBurleigh.Could no pretext be found—no cause appear,To lengthen mercy out a moment more,And stretch the span of grace?—Oh, cruel Burleigh!This, this was thy dark work, unpitying man!
Bur.My gracious mistress, blame not thus my duty,My firm obedience to your high command.The laws condemn'd him first to die; nor thinkI stood between your mercy and his life.It was the Lady Nottingham, not I.Herself confess'd it all, in wild despair,That, from your majesty to Essex sentWith terms of proffer'd grace, she then received,From his own hand, a fatal ring, a pledge,It seems, of much importance, which the earl,With earnest suit, and warm entreaty, begg'd her,As she would prize his life, to give your majesty;In this she fail'd—In this she murder'd Essex.
Qu. Eliz.Oh, barbarous woman!Surrounded still by treachery and fraud!What bloody deed is this!—Thou injured Essex!My fame is soil'd to all succeeding times;But Heaven alone can view my breaking heart—Then let its will be done.From hence, let proud, resisting mortals knowThe arm parental, and the indulgent blow.To Heaven's corrective rod submissive bend;Adore its wisdom, on its power depend;Whilst ruling justice guides eternal sway,Let nature tremble, and let man obey.[Exeunt.
THE END.
Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the original edition have been corrected.In Act II, Scene I, missing periods were added after "Her majesty to milder thoughts" and "The force of love".In Act III, Scene II, "pure affectio ;" was changed to "pure affection;", and "' Tis clear" was changed to "'Tis clear".In Act IV, Scene I, "Vouchfafe your Essex" was changed to "Vouchsafe your Essex", and a missing comma was added after "avenge the wrong".In Act V, Scene I, "Each pasing hour" was changed to "Each passing hour".In Act V, Scene III, the dialogue tag "Qd. Eliz." was changed to "Qu. Eliz." in the line beginning "To execution!--Fly with lightning's wing", and "'Tis mercys voice" was changed to "'Tis mercy's voice".
Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the original edition have been corrected.
In Act II, Scene I, missing periods were added after "Her majesty to milder thoughts" and "The force of love".
In Act III, Scene II, "pure affectio ;" was changed to "pure affection;", and "' Tis clear" was changed to "'Tis clear".
In Act IV, Scene I, "Vouchfafe your Essex" was changed to "Vouchsafe your Essex", and a missing comma was added after "avenge the wrong".
In Act V, Scene I, "Each pasing hour" was changed to "Each passing hour".
In Act V, Scene III, the dialogue tag "Qd. Eliz." was changed to "Qu. Eliz." in the line beginning "To execution!--Fly with lightning's wing", and "'Tis mercys voice" was changed to "'Tis mercy's voice".