curse hangs justly o'er me Thyr. All you can imagine horrid is past but all To come is pleasing Pleasing oh the poor expression Transports and Extasies Isa Agonies beyond the bearing and visited again On you yes Conscience will retort it back with Clamours never to be husht and stings uncurable Think on that vile man Thyr. Think and look on you impossible the kindled Fire mounts my veins and I have already lost the use of Thought Oh I will pour upon thee with desires that Shall melt thy frozen heart or cool at least my Burnings Isa Where am I in what dreadfull vision transplanted To a barbarous clime England ne'er brought forth Such a Monster there must be help My voice shall Wake some pitying Creature Thyr. Again you judge me foolish no my joys are well Secured the generous Gloucester for my Treasons gave Me thee since nothing else cou'd tempt me and with A Guard Alcides if such a one there were cou'd Hardly pass look that way and behold from this the Highest Lodgings of the Castle the steps all lined With men arm'd and resolute therefore consent Comply let me receive from kindness what I Can from power Give me thy Charms or let me seize 'Em one way or other I must be blest Isa Hold Sir as ever you have heard of Vertue or Religion for sure you must have heard of both Tho' you ne'er practis'd the beatick rules remember There will come a time when these mad passions That buoy your blood up to Rapes and Mischiefs must Sink with fainting nature when the bowl can Chear no more then Oh reflect the horror to Look back on a lewd dessolute life and forward on Eternity Thyr. Fair preacher I shall find out better use for Those soft lips than Canting thus let me close Their pretty railing and warm 'em to a smile Isa Stand off By all my fears and woes I feel a strength Celestial in my resolution approach not do not Move a hairs breadth for if thou dost I 'll be reveng'd On those curst eyes that lighted up thy Impious Love with these hands tear out the hated balls And dash 'em bleeding in thy face when our bodies Yield our minds swerve first but I can stop My breath and die yes Traytor I both can and dare Thyr. Oh Isabella where 's now the Dove-like sweetness Which first catch'd my Soul I see by those furious Beams those angry threatned threatning eyes dart On me I can ne'er be blest yet do not think Your menaces cou'd stop me for know my power 's So great that I cou'd force upon you life and love or the Effects of Love but since I see that force wou'd Never be forgiven that I shou'd never come to Those dear arms a welcome guest perhaps upon Some terms I may desist Isa Ha! what said ye at such a goodness how soon Shou'd I forget my terrors and turn all my Curses into prayers and blessings Thyr. Talk not of blessing when I lose you I lose all Hopes of happiness here or hereafter therefore like The Foe of human kind fain wou'd I sink My Rival down to my Perdition Isa What mean you Thyr. Only this that if I send you untouch'd and safely To the Queen you never hold with Clarence Interviews Discourse or any sort of Correspondence more Isa Oh Heavens Thyr. Start ye at this then you shall straight be seiz'd Drag'd to yon Apartment and the curst happy youth If you survive as no doubt you will Shall have but the leavings of my Fires What! hoa Isa Stay a moment what must I swear Thyr. Wish that Contagion may seize this beauteous Body and Furies haunt your Soul when you consent to wed him Isa Alas Thyr. Nay I allow no pause resolve on one or other Isa Then be witness Heaven which unassisting sees My sufferings here I bid adieu to him and all mankind Thyr. This is not enough kneeling repeat the Imprecation Diseases and Despair destract ye when ever you Receive him for your Lord swear to damnation Swear Isa This is cruel usage Thyrrold to force upon my gentle Nature dreadfull oaths which I have still abhorr'd Thyr. Just now you cou'd rage at me Your gentle nature quite forgot Swear or all my rage Returns with less Love and double Fury Isa Then as I hope for rest when this tormented soul Takes its flight he never shall possess his Isabella Thyr. Ha ha ha now I find you are to be Conquer'd In giving up your Love you have given up that Resolution Which shockt me and since he never shall enjoy you 'T is but fit I shou'd supply his room Come this way no more preambles nor strugglings Isa Yes whilst I have life Oh that as I have in Fables read I cou'd in very truth be turn'd into a stone A tree or any senseless Mass Thyr. Your senses shall be Banquetted If you strive More I must make use of ruder hands I wou'd not willingly expose my Wife Isa Give me to Tygers to any thing but thee Is no Compassion near Help help Clashing of Swords Clar. Within Give way give way He dies Whoever dares approach my fury Thyr. Quitting Isa Ha betray'd drawing his sword Isa Oh I will meet that voice thro' All the glittering dangers that my Eyes behold Thyr. Stand back you run on pointed Swords Isa No matter I shall not now be forced As Clarence with his followers fights his way in Isabella is stab'd Isa Ah me it was unkind but I shall soon find ease Falls Thy. Oh rash adventurer let 'em come all the Prize is lost kneels to help her Enter Clarence Thyrrold's men fly Clar. Thanks worthy men who have ventured thus Your lives for my revenge Sees Thyr. and Isa Ha! an Angel coupling with a Fiend Rise Villain and meet my Sword Or thus I 'll send thee to thy native Hell Thyr. I wo'n't fight you are the Brother of my King If you kill me you know your Pardon 's sure Shou'd I but draw the blood of you I stand Condemn'd Clar. Poor and Precarious will ye not fight for Isabellassa Thyr. She is not worth it now your honour will not Let you strike a naked Bosom and I 'll make no defence Clar. Oh most detested baseness live drag on That shamefull life but fly lest I am tempted With thy loathed sight to an unmanly deed Thyr. Yes I will live to act more mischiefs if I Judge my Master right that set me on to this It may fall on thee Torturing Love shall fill my Breast no more But rage and enmity possess my mind To vex and ruin the race of human kind Exit Thyr. Clar. Oh guilty guilty Isabella Well may'st thou fall on Earth and hide thy eyes Which dare not sure look up to Heaven after all These Perjuries yet rise follow with haste the choice Which thou prefer'st to doting Clarence and let me No more behold thy fatal Beauties 't is true I did come mad with a resolve to kill thy
Conquests in the War Force from Crown'd heads their feeble Sceptres Then all our toyl and labour 's paid when we Behold how well the gawdy Robe becomes them Glou. Rather let the bright Circle tear tear Their beauteous Fronts and leave them horrid Aside As spightfull Nature has form'd mine I 'm of your mind my Lord observe how To Warwick Exactly my Brothers locks are curl'd Clar. I 'm glad to find you thus dispos'd my Lords And the Foe within our view Edw. I thought you knew not of their near approach Else what made you absent at our last grand Council You have yet been learning why the shining Court Of Catharine thus hovers near our Camp Forsaking her more peacefull Palaces She now is garrison'd in Ludlow Castle Clar. Of the motions that Beauty makes my Lord As I expected you are always first inform'd Warw. This discourse will be too hot Come You lovely branch of the Plantagenets Let 's view the Troops tho' a Courtier now Yet in the fight you 'll prove an English Hero Exeunt War Clar. Ex. Lords Edw. Brother come near My Lords pray retire Brother and Friend I long have sought these moments In which I might pour the secrets of my Soul Into your faithful Bosom Much I expect From thee tho' Nature seems thy body To have rufled up in haste the rich gifts Within have amply made amends for there Thou excellest all her humane Sons as far As they do thee in Empty Worthless tho' Beauteous forms Glou. For all my Step-dames gifts I only thank her In that she has firmly fixt my Faith and Love To you my Royal Brother and my Lord. Edw. Didst thou observe how Clarence frown'd and sigh'd When Warwick askt him to view our Troops The Court of Catharine's the cursed Cause There Oh! there the ignoble youth is ruin'd Glou. This I knew before But now I expected Something to hear related of the first The noblest and most perfect of our Race Speak Heavens appointed King why at the name Of Catharine's Court do I still observe A sigh a pause some sudden start of Nature Otherways unusual in your even temper It can't be Love for justly you are call'd The Royal Rover you wander o'er the Field Of tempting Beauty with wanton revelling Joy And if you crop a Flower the rifled sweet Is thrown neglected by to whither in some Forgotten shade nor ever did you make A business of what Nature meant a trifle By giving us desires so prone so apt So pleas'd with Change Edw. Since the decisive day approaches near In which the work of many years is fated Glory and Conquest wait that pointed time Or in the Field an Honourable death Give orders that we are not Interrupted And thou shalt hear the weakness of thy Brother Exit Gloucester and returns Glou. Silence and Secrecy wait upon your words Edw. I need not tell you Friend that I stood The first and dearest in our Father's Love Too well his partial kindness was exprest In my most Noble Liberal Education When first he brought me to that Mart the Court Catharine was Regent Introduc'd I view'd That Queen with extasie and strange amazement Methought she look'd and mov'd beyond her Sex And something whisper'd to my ravisht Soul She is a Goddess Glou. In those blooming years she was approv'd By all a wonder nor yet has fate or time Exhausted the vast stock she still appears As one that 's born to die a beauty Pray Sir proceed Edw. I kneel'd to kiss her hand but then forgot The Ceremony was over and rooted there Gaz'd on the pointed rays shot from those Globes Of Beauty her resistless Eyes till they Reach'd and pierc'd my heart Now the Martial Horse can please no more The Bow unstrung neglected lay and all The Glorious exercises of my forward youth Wherewith I had with Emulation strove To out do each Rival To Grots and Solitudes Retir'd I hid me from the busie World Gave up my self to thought To thoughts of Love and Rapture which perhaps Was not in her to give at least not ordain'd For me Glou. How cou'd you fear my Lord your Birth your Form And your abundant Wealth might give you hopes To gain your Mistress tho' she were a Queen Edw. Canst thou forgive the poorness of my spirit When I confess I serv'd that haughty Queen With all the lowest marks of servile Courtship Fled at her command trembl'd at her frown And at her anger dy'd at length resolv'd To know my fate beneath her feet I fell In dying Accents I confess'd my Love She with an unrelenting look reply'd It is impossible you never can be mine With groans and sighs I begg'd her change that Never That terror to the damn'd and death to me And all my hopes to any other word but she Deaf to my Prayers my Vows repeated often Remember Earl of March never never Glou. Foolish Woman to resist at once her glory And her safety some other Love I guess Gave this strong passion ease Edw. Yes on her side not mine no Gloucester Gloucester I was the constant'st Fool that e'er that Sex With more than Necromantique Charms enchain'd Till at last convinc'd that Owen Tuder Held the heart and person of the Queen Revenge despite of such a Rival cast Forth from my breast the darling God of Love Glou. How cou'd Tudor then escape your Vengeance Or did you not believe his boasted descent From Great Cadwalladar the British King So thought him a Plebeian beneath your Sword Edw. Let everlasting silence shrowd that truth And to after Ages in Oblivion's Grave May what I tell my Brother be forgotten I did pursue him with my eager wrongs But oh He foil'd my unexperienc'd youth And in the Combat overcame the Cause Since that curs'd moment I and my engines have Rais'd him plagues which he cou'd ne'er surmount And made Imperious Margaret his foe That furious Queen whose anger knows no end Now he 's confin'd to his own barren soil Hunted from Katharine's eyes those kindly rays That warm'd his passions even to extasie Glou. But now proud Margaret descends and courts That Tudor whom she has despis'd To assist her cause in this extremity In vain their weakned Forces can oppose My Godlike Brother whom Fate has doom'd Her Conqueror Edw. No doubt he obeys the summons and comes on To meet us there in the heat of all the battle Thro' the rang'd troops my Sword shall point him out Yes by my wrongs I swear by all the Racks Of disappointed Love my abler Arm Shall for the weakness of my Youth atone I 'll hack his beauteous body since even rage And envy must allow his Person lovely Till doting Katharine shall not distinguish His mangl'd Carcass from the meanest Slave's Glou. You speak with so much passion that if daily You did not quench your flames in dear variety I still shou'd think you lov'd the Queen Edw. The sweets of Love are gone my Friend but still The sting remains the
Eternal Blessings Crown thee Cat. Victory great as thy faith and worth be thine Go and in my Closet lay the Books I read in last Exit Dacres Where 's now the crowded Court of Paris Rheims or Windsor when scarce a passage Cou'd be made for gazing Princes and for Kneeling Subjects when illustrious Henry Crown'd the assembly and supported me Yet I agen was happy my Virgin Love The very pride and boast of Nature Tudor My Henry's Soul cast in purer mold He was mine him have they robb'd me of And I have nothing left at my command But these sad Eyes which of themselves will flow Enter Isabella Isa kneeling Angels protect the Queen may I once prove The happy Messenger and stamp that Clouded Heaven with smiles From Tudor this Gives a Letter Cat. See Isabella see forgetting his repeated wrongs He flies to the assistance of the ungrateful Margaret Am I to blame now in the wrack of Fate When rowling Tempests bear my Glory's down Is it a fault I say to feel Loves alarm Busie at my heart and dawning Joy Break on me at his approach Isa Is it a fault to love the Master-piece of Heaven And wonder of the Earth such Tudor is Then Madam to you not the first of humane Race Was ever half so faithfull or so fond were all Mankind like him believing Virgins never Cou'd be ruin'd Cat. He is indeed a Husband whose unbated passion The fiercest new made Lover ne'er can equal Here he begs that thro' that Secret Vault Which to the Castle Leads known but to a trusted few He may in private see me You dear Isabella Have the Important Keys take the Letter Observe the hour and be carefull Isa Madam I will Cat. Why dost thou sigh my Girl you dare not make Your Queen your Confident yet I have found The secret of your Soul Young Plantagent whom they call Clarence now In our prosperous days with my allowance paid his vows to thee Love's soft first Impression hangs about thy heart I read it in thy watry eyes But oh I warn thee Of that rebelling and most treacherous Race If thou regardest the safety of thy Queen Or thy own future Peace Throw from thy thoughts the faithless Fugitive I warn thee of him and when thou' rt warn'd beware Exit Cat. Isa And when thou' rt warn'd beware It strikes upon my Soul and echoes back Like the sad voice of Fate I 'll follow streight The Queen give her up the Keys confess The frailty of my Conquer'd heart And see the Lovely Charming youth no more See him no more what has my Clarence done So to be punish'd does he not droop In midst of Lawrels Crowns and Victories Or aims he at a Bliss without his Isabella Are not his Vows Registred in Heaven And every awfull power call'd to witness Shall I then forsake him No Be it my ruin it has a face so pleasing I 'll fly to plunge into it Is going Enter Sir James Thyrrold Sir J. kneeling Turn ah too Lovely Heavenly maid let not Those eyes that light the rest of the World To Joy dart only on me Confusion behold The humble Thyrrold at your feet hear The sad tale my Love inspires Oh can that sweet form that looks all softness Contain a Savage heart Isa Presuming Arrogance Can no Commands Impose on you eternal silence yet I 'm calm But if again you affront me with your sawcy passion The Queen shall know it who no doubt will Protect a Maid committed to her Royal care From Insolence like thine Exit Sir J. Eternal ruin seize the Queen and thee And all the Confounded Syren Sex how many Hells Within this Bosom reign slighted Love Revenge Rage Spite Envy and Ambition Sure the damn'd medley must at least produce A perfect madness Oh! that as my will To mischief rises so my power might That I could let the Furies loose and ravage All the World 'T is Clarence holds her heart but Gloucester will Assist and ' spite of all their fondness blast their Loves rather than they shou'd meet Let ruin thro' the face of Nature range And all things suffer a Destructive Change When in that Chaos all mankind shall lie There 'll not be found a wretch so curst as I. Exit SCENE A Grove Enter Clarence and Malavill Clar. With much a-do I 've broke from faithful Warwick Who prest me hard to know my fatal sorrows This the hour and this the place In which I met my Heavenly Isabella Let my ambitious Brothers waste their time In climbing up the Royal precipice Let Casuists argue the injustice of the War Whilst I retiring from the bustling Crowd Find my sure bliss in Isabella's eyes See! where the brightness darts thro'yonder shades So Cynthia lookt when in Lathmo's Cave She nightly met Endymion Oh no! My Isabella's Beauty will surmount all poets Rapture Enter Isabella and her Woman O thou balm of Comfort Soul of sweetness Look on me shoot thy Beams into my bosom Talk to me Charm me into Ecstasie for Heaven is my Witness I never think of Joys But in thy Presence Isa O Clarence the gloomy Stars that rule our fates Were never sure for Conjunction made Distant alas and wide they dart their angry Rays And seem to threaten everlasting separation Clar. At such a thought I 'd curse them from their Spheres They now are kind Oh! may my fair one prove so too Then this very night they light me on To endless Worlds of bliss Isa What means my Lord Clar. Have I been only flatter'd with what alone My youth has gloried in or may I trust The trembling tender accents that have whisper'd Thy heart thy precious heart was mine Isa When first the Queen bid me look on you As my destin'd Lord I thought 't was duty Made me regard you more than all mankind But ah too soon I found that Godlike form And the respect you paid which love alone produces Had gain'd the ascendant o'er my Virgin wishes If since my eyes have stray'd or any object Brought to my thoughts that offer'd to rebel Against the awfull power already there May Heaven which knows the secrets of my Soul Punish me with loss of you and Fame Clar. Bend ye Celestial Quire bend down with me And bless the Angel you have lent for breathing Words like these that tune and charm my Soul By my hopes were all the merits of our Race Cramn'd into one he durst not plead desert A Beam of mercy the least regard of pity Pays an Age of Services Oh! how wretched am I Isa Why my dear Clarence why does thy bosom heave With sighs as the great heart within were rending If I have any Charms if I can please Is not all the kindness of my eyes addrest to thee Clar. Therefore and only therefore do I curse My Fate that being blest beyond what The most Ambitious cou'd have hop'd for I yet have more much more to ask E'er my Request is told Oh Isabella Guess what
Sacred name raises him above Our Reprehension tho' not to him of him Who can forbear to speak that has a Soul In which true honour has a Residence Has he not like the wanton Summer fly Blown upon and tainted all our Beauties Is there a Maid of Quality or Fortune Whom he has not attempted or at least Married to some Favourite fawning Minion While we the branches too of mighty York Only are neglected Clar. The Ladys Case transports you were I dispos'd To marry the King shou'd not chuse for me Glou. My Lord no choice is left is there in all the Court One of an unfullied fame whose Beauty or Whose Quality is fit for Princes Arms Clar. I 'll not dispute the matter but I think there are Glou. There are you speak as if they abounded Name me but one and I 'll recant in Veneration To such a rarity forgive the rest and touch Their fames no more Clar. What think you then of beauteous Isabella The studied Workmanship and hand of Heaven Nothing can transcend her Divine person But the unspotted Soul that dwells within Glou. What Isabella Queen Catharine's Ward Thyrrold's Isabella is' t she you thus extravagantly Describe Clar. How Gloucester now I have found thee subtle In malice all the workings of thy brain Are like the dismal Policies of Hell Which still produce a mischief But do not mention her again I charge thee do not For by the sacred blood That fills her veins the blood of Bedford and of Burgundy Both Royal Stems you shall not dare Glou. Not dare Prince Clar. No not dare Lay all your plots on me Cover me all over with detraction as with a Leprosie But touch not Isabella I will bear it Glou. Go on my Brother and when your passion 's o'er Too late consider if I 've deserv'd this usage Clar. What have I done how came her name in Question Oh! Gloucester Gloucester thou art deep and cunning I but a shallow stream and as I stand between Shall be surely forded o'er Edward and Gloucester both may take my life But of my Love there 's neither shall deprive me Glou. I knew not Isabella grew so near you 'T was common Fame occasion'd what I said That as the Queen descended to Love Tudor So Isabella had made Thyrrold hers Rumor's the Child of Error if I 've caught A Falshood why shou'd that create a Quarrel Clar. A Quarrel there is none The King and you Possess the glories you atchieve in War My happiness lies in another Sphere Farewell Exit Glou. Happiness is a Rosie path you ne'er shall tread The Hornet I have thrown into your bosom It buzzes now But it shall sting anon Dissimulation thou art mine My rage was high as his and spite much more but dear dissimulation Cover'd all the fury of my Soul and it shall be vented the safest way Enter Malavill Mal. I met the Duke my master methought his Looks were full of discontent Drum beats Glou. I gave it him hark a distant Drum is the signal I order'd at the approach of Tudor what ho Captain Enter Captain Is the detachment ready Capt. My Lord it is Glou. Lead them towards the Castle there as I told you you 'll Meet with Tudor when you encounter him if his force Is stronger than you expected urge not too far at night I shall use you and those that you command Capt. With utmost care your orders shall be obey'd Exit Glou. Will Sir James Thyrrold come to the Appointed place Mala. He will and is impatient till he Knows your Grace's pleasure Glou. Clarence is even to rashness brave that Will make forget the nicer forms of Different Quality after our Conference See me again if your Lord calls and seems uneasie Cast forth doubtfull Words if Jealousie Appears feed it with oyl I 've Told the King thy merits of thy Intelligence And Honour waits to Crown thy Service Mala. Thanks noble Sir your long tasted Bounty Secures me still your Slave I 'll to my Lord And watch his every motion Exit Mala. Glou. Go thy ways Traytor that 's thy proper name Oh! there 's a vile Ingredient in our frames This Man my Brother Clarence ne'er did injure But signalized him with marks of Friendship Above the rest who did attend him Yet For a little Gold with eagerness he Seeks his ruin an itching Palm destroys his Faith Ambition conquers mine Interest tempts all and where she tempts succeeds My great designs why shou'd I blush to own There 's no Temptation greater than a Crown The End of the second Act. ACT III. SCENE Ludlow Castle Enter Tudor and a Colonel Tud Cousin how are ye Col. Right well my noble Friend Tud I did not here expect an Engagement Col. You fought as if you did your Courage And your Conduct both were shown they That gave the Onset first most shamefully Retreated Tud Colonel lead your Forces to the Camp of Henry Or Margaret I know not which to call it Before the mornings dawn I will be there Col. Oh Tudor thou noblest of mankind Remember e'er I speak that your Commands I never disobey'd Tud Nor ever will I hope my Soldier and my Friend Col. No tho' by this Ambush laid and your rash Resolve of seeing the Queen alone I read Oh dismal thought your death Tud Be it so draw off your Forces I had rather See the Queen tho' my life 's the forfeit than Be Edward or Henry or any happier King That you can think of If you out-live me Report me as a Man that Catharine smil'd on Let some kind Pen transmit the glory to Posterity and I shall hold my death a prize too small for such a stock Of fame if you Love me answer not nor offer to disswade Me but observe my orders Exit Col. bowing This is the path Oh Angel Guardian be thou Near and lead me to my heaven Exit Enter Queen Catharine Cat. I hear the doors unbar shall I not go to Meet him he comes oh trembling heart Think of thy Woes and let thy pantings now be still Enter Tudor and Isabella Tud kneels My Queen Cat. My Love my Husband rise my dearest Lord. Tud Do I behold thy face again Oh taste of joys Unatterabl Oh Banquet beyond the power of sence to bear Nor must I murmurnow If the hard conditions wherewith Seemed to article with providence is now fullfill'd For Heaven knows how often I have Wisht to see thy face and die Cat. Avert it Heaven yet we meet indeed ' midst Wars and Tumults Camps on either side Frightfull Scenes for Love Tud All all is the milky way when thou art near Oh should I but repeat the miseries I have Indured since banished from those fair Eyes you sure wou'd pity me Cat. What hast thou suffer'd thou dear Innocence Persued Tud Upon the Barren summit of a Prodigious Mountain whose height seem'd to brave a second Flood I pass'd my tedious hours Stretching my longing Eyes towards the
abode Of my fair Queen and Courting the fierce winds That way to bear my sighs sometimes farther urged By my despair upon the extreamest verge of ragged Cliffts that over look the deep I 'd throw my Wretched weight like one destracted tell the Ever beating Waves my Grief and fill the ambient Air with your dear name If thunder grumbl'd o'er my head Or Earthquakes shook the frame beneath By me the Warring Element was unobserv'd My Love my Joy my Peace of mind was lost My Queen was absent and therefore I forsook All Comfort Cat. Beds of Down and guilded roofs were a like Uneasie and without thee food for desperation And now 't is but a kind of doubtfull day Which only glimmers and then will part Us with eternal night Tud Be that night eternal no morrow grant At least this night is ours Cat. Flatter not thy self with hopes now there is Nothing ours yet you may remember nay you must It has been otherwise Henry the First and Noblest Candidate for fame once was yours and mine My Lover and your Royal Friend yeâ— you have Seen me Crown'd the Queen of Nations Beheld my evening Pomp and morning Waiters For you were still the earliest of the Crowd At awfull distance watch'd the motions of my eyes And trembled when you met a glance Henry knew the Holy Fire that warm'd your breast Yet so well he knew both you and me That he never frown'd on either But encourag'd the Chast Friendship Which when Heaven angry with this lower World Snatch'd hence its great protector grew to Love Tud Blest Hero whom future Ages or their best Of future Kings can only hope to faintly Copy Whom when I ever name without Just Veneration May Cankers gnaw my ungratefull Tongue Yet Friendship shall not rob my Love No mighty Queen the first minute these tho' Then hopeless eyes view'd that unimitable frame They dâ—ew in Love witness their divided lids Still stretchâ—d with endless wakings witness the Unbated sorrows the returning years still found Me 〈…〉 witness ten thousand racks But why look I backwards when I can call The Heaven mine for which I served Yes 't is permitted that I may approach My Arms have â—icence to Circle thee and snatch Thee to my heart and hold a place in thine A glory which I 'd not exchange to be The greatest titl'd Slave the busie Globe contains Cat. Oh Tudor Tudor sure thy Mothers blessings And her beauty and her softness hangs about thee The rest of humane Race all seem rugged Thou only art the Child of Love the pattern Made for Poets to form their Hero's by Tud The kindness of these Words nothing but Ecstatick bliss nothing but Joys this night Will bring can raise me higher Cat. My fears distract me you are a Foe Proclaimed shou'd there be Information Given Courts have many spies the Castle Is unguarded let not thy valiant Soul and Over eager Love tempt thee to so imminent A danger tho' yet thy Arm well us'd to Conquest Prompts thee on think alass my Tudor Multitudes o'ercome the bravest Sword Tud Shaâ—… apprehension the Cowards check fright Me from my fair Level not a Man who has Aspired and possessed the greatest Queen on Earth so low in your esteem that imaginary Fears shou'd tear me hence the Niggard Heavens allow us but the present hours the Future still are left to doubtfull Fate Oh! Lovely Catharine if I read in thy looks some Beamy signs of Joy as sure I can for I Understand 'em well bless me with kindness Talk no more of danger let us dream at Least this Castle 's safety ours indulge the Pleasing ecstasie nor wake till we are Forced to wake Cat. She that can love and can deny must not Have a heart like mine Isa Oh! Tud Blest sound Cat. My Isabella I heard the sad murmur of a Stifled sigh my ear catched the broken Sadness Tudor behold your fair guide as the Dearest object of my Friendship nay she Almost Rivals you The kindest maid the Truest creature Companion in all my solitudes Forsaking the allurements the tempting Pleasures which her charming youth and Vast fortunes might have commanded still Has she follow'd my retirement and with Her Innocence and Goodness cheated me Tud For such a faithfull care may That power to whom we pray reward her Equal to my wish continue still that beauteous Loveliness Crown her with happiness lasting As her self can wish Isa My Noble Lord cover me not With blushes Why Royal Madam Did ye speak those Balmy words they wound my heart your kindness Like descending Angels on the impure Strikes me with death Tud What means the Charmer Cat. My Lord she 's sick of our disease in love And now by my commands I hope is Strugling with her yielding heart within I 'll tell ye all the unhappy Circumstances Tud Peace to her mind and may she ever Vanquish all that wou'd disturb her my Queen are the tender pledges of our love The beauteous little ones for beauteous they Are cause Images of thee are they here Cat. My Cherubs my Comforts cou'd they be from Me never I 'll lead you to 'em dear Isabella give Thyrrold strict charge to be Carefull in his watch then attend me in the Bed-Chamber Tud Give me thy hand And as this touch does all my racks remove So may thy fears and think of nought but Love Exit Queen led by Tud Isa What must I think on doubting and the Dreadfull expectation of what 's to come Are terrors that create despair and such a State is mine Oh fairest best of Queens Can you not find in my disordered looks The tumults of my Soul and Chain me Near ye Enter her Woman Wom. Madam Malavill waits without Isa Let him wait a little longer my Esperanza What have we promised dost thou not fear Wom. For you alone I alas am worthless Isa Oh happy happy thou If you consented to Some honest mate and fled no Court wou'd Be allarm'd no Pursuers no life be lost Where shall I unbosom my full heart what Kind adviser help my youth I have no friend I never had but one the unequall'd Queen And she I am flying from Wom. To meet a Faithfull Friend a Noble Husband Isa So I hope but oh I dare not look with reason's Eye into this mad attempt love hurries me Along and love they say is a blind guide if Margaret if Catharine or if Edward seize us Away I will not thing so deeply fasten that Door least from the Castle we are surprized And call Malavill in Exit Wom. Now 't is better in my tormented breast the Scene is changed and Clarence stands in my Minds view all faithful lovely and beloved Oh Haste thee to my Royal Youth and chase these Melancholy fears away Re-enter her Woman with Malavill Mala. My Lord watches the minutes with an impatient Lovers haste numbers 'em with his sighs till the Blest one arrives till I return and more confirm His
sting of her denial Oh! what a torment 't is to know another Enjoys that Bliss for which I sigh'd in vain But Revenge is more lasting fiercer far If not so pleasing as fond Boyish Love Glou. His approach brings the fair Queen To this Castle that lies between our Camps Suppose I glut the angry God within your Breast and find a way to kill this hated Tudor In her arms Edw. ' Twou'd charm me more than to revel in them now Glou. Mind you the pleasures that your heart is fond of And leave this business to your faithful Brother Lord Dacres and Sir James Tyrell rule the Queen Dacres is honest trusty not to be mov'd By bribes or prayers Tyrell is mine and so is Malavill Clarence's Favourite nor shall the amorous Boy Wed the beauteous Ward of Katharine Isabella Half English half French I like not The mixt breed Edw. That be thy labour'd care for if he matches In that abandon'd Family we lose a Brother Come to my arms and let me swear my Gloucester Thou shar'st the Heart and Crown of thy lov'd Edward Glou. I hope great Sir you 'll ne'er repent the trust You have impos'd upon your ready Servant Edw. I thank thee Gloucester and I believe thee too Who waits on Fate will find her Laws are just And patience will at length our wishes Crown I cou'd ask no more than this To mount the Throne of my ungratefull Fair And dash her back that bitter Cup despair Exeunt Enter Malavill to Gloucester Mala. My Lord are you alone Glou. I am and you are safe Haste dear Malavill Quick inform me what More of Importance since our last Conference Has reach'd thy knowledge Mala. I am afraid if discover'd I can No longer serve your Grace Glou. Therefore be quick in your Narration Mala. Fair Isabella from the Castle meets My Lord of Clarence in the adjoining Grove And there I 've learnt he means to try The utmost eloquence of Conquering Love To perswade his Mistress to fly the Kingdom Glou. Dear Malavill observe my orders you shan't want Gold But at the meeting let not a falling syllable Escape thee How stands Sir James Thyrrold Mala. Fixt to our Cause as fate fonder far Of Isabella than he is of Life to Hell He 'd plunge to sink his Reval Glou. My Lord Dacres will he leave the Queen Is Tudor's coming on confirm'd Mala. All as you cou'd wish heark a noise I dare not stay to tell you more Exit Glou. Work on my brain help every faculty And thou invention stretch till thou hast wound me Into the bottom of my Brothers Councils Then give destruction power a Crown alone Can safely shrou'd those foul deformities Those glorious rays wou'd dazle mocking Gazers Then amongst the crowd no sawcy Slave Wou'd dare in whispers to pronounce me monstrous The Ladie 's too caught with unbounded sway The Royal Purple to this uncouth trunk Gives form and vigour to this sapless Limb. By Heaven nature sent me Here in spite to plague her upright Race 'T was her design nor shall she lose her end A Real Foe and deep dissembling Friend Near the Crown but not near enough ally'd Tho Seas of Blood my Title do divide Cruel and bold I 'll wade the Kindred tide Exit ACT the Second SCENE Ludlow Castle SCENE draws discovers Queen Catharine seated attended by the Lord Dacres Sir James Tyrell c. Ladies She rises Cat. THo' Margaret Daughter only of a titled King Who for her Portion brought my wanting Henry What he wanted least expensive Pride Tho she I say ranks me with her Foes Has taken pains to est range me from the breast And fatal Counsels of her ruin'd Husband Yet so dear I hold my Son that to his aid I wou'd not spare my Officers of State alone Alas now they are few succouring him My self I 'll strip of each menial Servant But oh my Lord when I Reflect on your departure My nature by continual injuries made bold Shrinks back and all my Courage fails me Dacres The only merit I can plead is my obedience The Creature of your Commands Cat. Wisely and well did thy Great Master choose Who dying left me to thy Guardian care So perfect has my Loyal Dacres prov'd That I dare read thy very thoughts and pronounce They never swerv'd one title from my Interest Ev'n preferment that Common bait and Ruine of a Courtiers Honesty cou'd never tempt thee from me but now The sad hour 's arriv'd that calls thee forth Thy prudence and thy courage must out To save a sinking King Dac O sacred relick of the first of Heroes For what was Alexander but a Name Compar'd with our Immortal Henry It 's true the first ravag'd o'er effeminate Persia And a barbarous World but my unequall'd King Conquer'd his numerous neighbours Older much Than He and therefore thought more skill'd in Arms Fenc'd Towns nor Armed men cou'd barr his fury Which like Groves darkn'd th' expanded plain Thro' treble numbers he forc'd his way to victory Doubly blest subdueing France and being by you Subdu'd Yet in this full tide of Fortune mark The weakness of the best of humane frames Either the excess of sorrow or of Joy Cracks the strings of life and we moulder Into our first nothing when thousand pious hands Were lifting up to Heav'n for his safety Ev'n then our mighty King expir'd Cat. Well hast thou choos'd this melancholy theam It suits our parting Noble Dacres well Dac By Heav'n I cannot mention that Great Man But the vast story dwells upon my tongue But now I thought to look a little backwards And tell my beauteous Queen the many tyes That link me her faithful Slave when loe At the name of Glorious Henry my words Flow'd to Encomiums and left my worthless self forgot Cat. It needs not Sir O could I but reward As I remember all thy Services How woud'st thou shine bedeck'd with Royal Favours Now thy advice and then farewell do you think The Garrison drawn off and then my Guard remov'd I 'm safe not that I 'm mention'd in the War But I wou'd not be expos'd to that power that has No Justice for its rule Dac Madam this Castle was built by Vortigern See but the Keys of the Avenues in Trusty hands Edward may wast his Army here E're give you any cause for a disturbance Sir James Thyrrold to your charge I leave My Queen if thou shou'dst prove a Traytor ah How came these words upon my tongue without A moments thought Tyr. Without a cause you shou'd have said what have I done to be mistrusted Cat. Thyrrold hold it was his care for me If yours is equal then you must excuse it Adieu Commend me to Henry and the Queen Tell them my endeavours and my Prayers shall still Attend them Dac O thou forgiving Virtue Everlasting Charmer Whose sight alone gave thy dying Lord Transports too great for mortal life to bear Here let me six my parting duty and
's the Consequence how it imports My Life these Agonies will sure express I who have stood pitch'd Battles without one Shock of Nature now feel Convulsive tremblings Seize on every Nerve nay thus unmann'd Behold me weeping at your feet Isa What can you who have so much Honour Fear to ask or I who have so much Love Refuse to grant My Lord as your partial kindness Has set me nearer to your heart than all the fairest Of your Sex so wou'd I approve my faith Above the common rate To justifie your choice speak thou Conqueror Propose the way be it to strip me of these shining Ornaments the Pride of Courts and fly with thee To Caves to Huts and unfrequented shades Most readily I will obey Clar. Ha! didst thou say fly with me By Heaven 'T is on that the weight of my Petition hangs Can you dare you will you be so good To trust this tender work of Heaven this Matchless softness never expos'd to ought less gentle Than the breeze from flowers Dare you with me Venture tempestuous blasts regardless Seas And all the hazards of Incommodious flight Isa Yes my dear Clarence Love wou'd make me bold Fill all my thoughts with thee and dangers quite forgot When thou art ne'er me But oh I have another tie Duty Friendship Gratitude plants me here The mourning Queen whose adversity has shook off Fawning crowds must not be left by Isabella Clar. I 'll not complain or urge an Argument Against that good and all-deserving Queen 'T is true big with my hopes for what won't Love Prompt blooming youth to hope I had prepar'd A vessel for our Transportation into France You as a Branch of Burgundy must needs Have found a noble welcome in that Court And I as Brother to great England's King Cou'd have made my own Conditions Isa England's King my Lord is not your Brother Clar. Yes faithfull charming Maid he is The People's hearts are his the sickly Forces Of falling Henry tomorrows setting Sun Intombs yet I wou'd fly from these flowing honours Which must adorn our Family and gazing Upon thee forget Ambition Isa What do you ask to what do I incline These may not be faithfull the way the method All like Palaces in Fairy Land Impracticable and only built on fancy Clar. If Love 's your guide the way is very easie The secret door you now have passed you may As well command at twelve there I will wait Like the far travell'd Pilgrim who knows no Peace Of mind till the opening Temple shows the Saint To whom his vows and oraisons are paid Isa Alas I dare not tread those lonely paths Thro' hollow Vaults and most horrid Windings And at that dreadfull hour of Midnight Clar. Give Malavill the outer Key and we Will meet you in the upper Court nay fear Not dearest I know him well born and bred Amongst us try'd and faithful as a Brother Isa Yet Brothers may be false O my divided Soul Can I leave the dear indulgent Queen O draw me Heaven thro' this Labyrinth For Love and Friendship pull me several ways Like Cords upon the Rack which ever way I yield No ease is granted to my troubled mind Clar. Return my soft beloved Oh return Hush thy anxious thoughts a sleep and think Of me no more Edward is indeed inveterate And which way ever Victory inclines we meet no more Lead me O Malavill Lead me to the Battle Fix me in the front against the ablest Archers fix me And let a thousand thousand darts at once Pierce this fond heart which pants in vain for Isabella Sinks on Malavill Isa Oh! my dear Lord I 'm not worthy half this passion My Fear is vanish'd and my Love is strong Command me any thing I will not raise Another doubt Clar. Oh! thou all goodness dearest sweetest Creature Once does wretched Clarence hold thee fast Isa Say direct me how I shall proceed for I will come Clar. Won't thou indeed O! Charming Excellence oh all perfection The blood that guards my heart leaps to my cheeks Fires my eyes which almost start with passion And each crowding word to express my Joys Grows thick upon my Tongue Isa Talk not so wildly but instruct me in my flight Clar. My life give to Malavill the Key of that door thro' which you past Isa I cannot yet for that way Tudor enters to the Queen Let him two hours hence beneath you Eastern Tower Wait and I will give it him what ails me Clarence Why do I tremble so Clar. Oh! 't is thy tender gentle nature which frights Thy little frame and makes thee shrink at what Thy love has promis'd yet Isabella By all my hopes by the blest Saints It Clarence lives you shan't repent your kindness Blast me with Lightning from yon Azure roof Rivet me with sure fulfilling bolts if time In all its Course Past or to Come can ought more faithfull see Isa Or any Maid who loves and dares like me Exeunt severally SCENE the Camp Enter King Edward meeting Gloucester Ed. What news my careful Gloucester Glou. Victory still attends the King the very Scouts and Forragers Return being flush'd and redned with Success Edw. These are all steps to fix us on the Throne But still the Root of Lancaster and Branches too Must be remov'd least building o'er them We totter and Clarence be ours or lost Glou. Lost in death e're ruine us Daring like yours In not proceeding does backward go Fair Isabella consents to Clarence's Follies And e're morning hopes to escape Edw. That must be prevented Glou. It shall the Hammer's lifted here and when It strikes the work is finished The night Under her Sable Wings shall hatch such deeds Will fright the blushing dawn Suppose Ludlow Castle yours The Queen on a pretext that shall seem just Remov'd Tudor slain either on his March or else Within the Walls Edw. Attempt both they who wou'd succeed must leave The least to Chance and catch at every opportunity Glou. This way Clarence moves as Malavill informs me Here I will stay and meet the fiery youth Dash all his quiet with the Fiend Jealousie Which Weed Planted by a cunning hand Will quickly grow in the warm soil of his Fierce passion and even overshoot the love Which he so long has cherish'd Edw. Use him dear Gloucester as his Folly has Deserv'd Glou. What Paper 's that Edw. A Letter from the forsaken Eleonora Glou. Leave it with me I have a sudden Thought it may be usefull Edw. Take it thou art a perfect Chymist In extracting ruin I dare trust all To thy management Exit Glou. Here comes Natures other Favourite Enter Clarence 'T was base 't was barbarous the choicest Beauty of the Nation rifled and then despis'd Looking upon the Letter Clar. What means my Brother Glou. Your Pardon Duke of Clarence I saw you not Here 's a melancholy complaint From the wretched Elenora Clar. Her fate is hard and much my temper Differs from the King 's Glou. That
expected Joys Isa Malavill 't is a dangerous path we tread and much Precaution must be used if amongst those few Your master trusts but one shou'd prove a Traytor Inevitable ruin seizes all Mala. I dare affirm the care the Duke has took in what So nearly does concern him equals his Love which nothing Can exceed the rest are managed well I only know The bottom of the design and shou'd I Be thought unfaithfull I soon wou'd give a fatal Proof of my Fidelity and die at hearing I was Once mistrusted Isa No be assured thou art not if thou wert by Isabella I 'd stand the lash of Furies have Uninvented torments practised on this tender Body excelling all the old e'er groan the secret Out this night On Dacres absence I know the Queen Will walk her self the rounds see every door and Brazen gate fast barr'd and lock'd and every Key Brought to the Royal Chamber this only passage Left to trusted me and therefore unexamined shall I then dare Oh horror every limb and every Trembling vein forbids it Mal. What not for the Duke of Clarence not for him Who wou'd rush thro' thousand pointed Swords For you Isa Take it take the important Key The Queens own words But fly this moment fly be gone I say least I Repent and yield no more Mala. With all my heart Aside At twelve Isa I will Exit Ma. Hear thou All-seeing eye of Providence listen to kneeling A distressed Virgins Prayer if ought that 's ill insues For much my heart forbodes as mine the guilt be mine the punishment If there must be wrath heap it all on me But let the guiltless Queen be safe and free Exeunt SCENE the Camp Enter Duke of Clarence followed by the Earl of Warwick Warw. Hold Duke of Clarence stop thus have I Followed thee heyond our utmost Guards Thus beheld thee observ'd thy folded arms And down cast eyes thy silent steps I 've traced Which seem'd to measure out thy graves Length so sad they were come dear youth Lean upon my bosom and tell thy griefs if thou Art wronged Warwick stands forth to do thee Iustice I serve the King thy Brother Edward But dare Proclaim before his face I love thee More Clar. Burden me not with kindness To noble natures 'T is the hardest task favours receiving without Hopes of a return Edward and Gloucester the darlings Both of Fate to them apply and court not him Who shuns the World War Dost thou push me from thee young Prince Boy I was a going to have said you will repent It there 's something labours in thy brain Remember you were offered Warwick's aid which You despis'd Farewell Exit War Clar. He 's gone and I dare not call him back or tell My weakness he never will consent his Souls wound Up to steady Glory past the Convulsive fit of Loves dear Calenture what he terms sadness Is the expected Joy which fills my Soul with transports My thoughts are full of thee dear Isabella And my eyes disdain to view an object that may Divert the pleasing Image where art thou Malavill lazy Embassador for Love hast to bring Me the glad tidings all goes well Enter a Page Pag. Sir Sir Clar. What 's the matter boy Pag. A grim looked fellow gave me this and charged Me instantly to seek ye nor wou'd he leave me Till he saw I 'd found your Grace I knew my Gallant Master wou'd have been angry if I Had trembled else indeed he frighted me Clar. Poor innocence ha lift up thy Torch sure the Moon gives me a sickly light and make me Read a miss Reads Duke of Clarence YOur Family is given to invade another's right You a younger branch follow the Example Witness your designs on Isabella my plighted Wife Ha my blood runs cold but I will yet proceed Since you have chose the Murderers hour as that perjur'd false one has confessed be that the place and time if you dare to meet the Injured Thyrrold If I dare where am I can this be true or is it all A plot too deep for me to fathom Isabella false I 'll Not believe it sure 't is all delusion Enter Malavill Oh art thou come let me rush upon thee as I Would seize my Love thou art arriv'd the very Minute when I was plunging down I know not where You must awake me from a dreadfull dream For sure it is no more Mal. My Lord Clar. Shrink not from my embrace nor turn thy eyes Away I cannot bear another apprehension if thou Bringst not comfort Hell all hell is here Mal. What shou'd I say Clar. Why hast thou nothing then to say did I not Send thee Mal. You did my Lord. Clar. Why are thy answers cold and looks distracted Did I not send thee to Isabella for the Confirmation Of her promise and the Key Mal. You did but oh Clar. What speak I charge thee speak Mal. After long waiting and repeated signs the Necessary thing her Woman appear'd and with A scornfull smile said we were all defeated Sir James Thyrrold had discover'd our design and Isabella in a careless tone she added was concern'd But advised your Grace to think of her no more Clar. By hell 't is false she is betrayed as well as I Her Soul is written in her looks and does not Know deceit Mal. Take my life if you suspect me go the Appointed place I 'll wait upon you Affronted and vexed like you Clar. Forgive me dear Malavill what no Key No word from her Mal. None as I hope for everlasting happiness Clar. Then she is hold my breath shall not proclaim Her nor will I curse her nor wish her half The racks that she has given me follow to My Tent I have yet an Assignation left which Shall be this night in Blood performed Oh Isabella Who wou'd have thought when Heaven had took Such pains without Hell had been employed So deep within Fool fool too soon believing I 'm undone Nor has the Trayt'ress by deceiving won For whom soe'er false Saint bows to thee There 's not a Worshiper will dote like me Exit Enter Duke of Gloucester Glou. Ha ha ha this will do him good whet his Spleen and make a perfect Soldier of him Had The Man been married he had been spoiled Mal. Your Grace is pleased but shou'd my Lord and Isabella meet or the King incline to the match I of necessity must be crusht as an atonement For the reconciliation Glou. Hitherto thou hast acted well doubting will Undo thee No Clarence and Isabella meet no more Like Lovers on the word of Gloucester be directed And search no further tread the way that I show Thee which shall lead to thy advancement Mal. Too far I 've ventured now to think of a return Glou. Where 's the Key that to the Castle gives the Wish'd admittance Mal. There 't is had you but seen with what fear What trembling 't was given heard the prayers The piercing words the frighted Virgin
used ' Twou'd sure have shock'd ye Glou. No I shou'd have laughed at the deluded Maid Does your Master wear to day the Sword I gave you Mal. My Lord you know he does Glou. 'T is well that Sword is temper'd as I wou'd ever Wish my foes for at the first meeting Clash It breaks six of my Voluntiers will seize Him men not unused to practices like those In vain he 'll call himself Clarence in vain Endeavour to convince 'em for they are Well prepar'd and without my orders won't Release him When this is done leave you the Duke the King shall both protect and reward you Mal. As my diligence shall merit I ask no more Exit Mal. Glou. Thy merit's death and thou shalt find it fool Thy sting thy venoms gone thou hast done Thy best And the Voluntiers That seize the Prince have orders to stop Thy craving mouth Clarence too soon will know thee Now therefore thou art useless Enter at rising Ground King Edward Edw. Speak Gloucester shall haughty Catharine Mourn this Night Glou. She shall if Tudor's blood can make Her weep Here 's the Key wait the Signal and prepare to glut your Eyes Edw. Oh let me hug thee close I feel a Warm Vengeance rise and joys fierce As is fruition fill the big heart which That ungrateful fair despised 'T is grown A Rambler now and can be pleas'd On easier terms than dying Yet I will see again those Charming eyes But all their tears and menaces despise And laugh at Catharine when her Tudor dies Exeunt The End of the Third Act. ACT the Fourth SCENE the Castle Enter Duke of Clarence and Malavill Clar. HEre did I expect oh what did I not expect Even all the happiness my heart is fond off Cruel disappointment yet 't is but just When man gives up his Noble Charter his Reason And is passions Slave he shou'd be used so Oh Malavill cou'dst thou believe such falshhood Were in Womankind Mal. Most easily my Lord 't is the common practice Had she proved true that had been the wonder Clar. Is' t possible Isabella was my first and only Love Pure were my flames and my desires unfeign'd Her returns I thought full of artless innocence When in her Charming eyes I first read kindness If I catch'd a dear relenting glance How modestly she wou'd decline 'em Her lovely face cover'd with Virmilion blushes Nay the tears wou'd follow Cou'd this all be deceit Cou'd she weep and vow and look such things And yet dissemble still Mal. 'T is natural to the Sex Clar. And is that dear false hand given to Thyrrold His plighted Wife Racks Wheels and Gibbets Sword and fire can their torments equal That curst thought yet when I reflect on this Unexampled Treachery methinks 't is strange The story most improbable 't is but some few hours A go that fair one gave me all the tendrest Marks of love and kindest promises what cou'd Tempt her to draw me on so far Mal. I like not this Aside Clar. But then how shou'd Thyrrold know of our Intended flight unless thou hast proved The smooth fac'd Villain and betray'd me Mal. If you mistrust me use your Sword Wound me not with your unkind suspicions Tardy Duke of Gloucester I shall be ruin'd Aside Clar. I know not what to think but shou'd I find Thou hast wronged me in the tendrest part The blessing of my Life my Love my Isabella I cannot name her but my heart will rise Oh cruel Charmer think not to ' scape my Vengeance For tho' the King shou'd Guard thee through His heart I 'd reach at thine seize thee Like a loosen'd Fury and shake thee into Atoms Thyrrold above Thyr. What mad man 's this that raves beneath our Walls Clar. Traytor come down and see Thyr. I wou'd but for commands which I have sworn to obey Clar. What commands shifting Coward Thyr. Fair Isabella has hung about my neck Used such prevailing arts of fondness Beg'd with such a grace and so much power That I have forgiven both her and you Clar. Ye raging Fires eat eat my heart burn inwards But burst not forth I wo'not answer like a Woman With my Tongue alone but Thyrrold he assur'd I shall find thee yes hadst thou Gyants For thy Guard wert thou hem'd with Devils I 'd Grapple with thee and sink thee too Remember that and tremble Thyr. If I tremble it must be with delight To Isabella's Bed I am going the Priest Has made us one there the soft the melter The expecting fair one lies think you on that And mangle thy own flesh In distraction thy wretched bosom tear Reflect upon my joys and then despair Exit Thyrrold Clar. Curses curses Oh Malavill in thy bosom Hide me for if I look that way my eyes will burst Enter three or four Villains 1 Vill. Yonder he stands we may seize his Sword E'er he perceive us Snatches his Sword from him Clar. Villains what mean ye Malavill give me thy Sword and get behind me Mal. No I 'll defend your life 1 Vill. Fool thou canst not save thy own stabs him he falls Mal. Oh pardon me noble Sir you are betray'd and so Am I the Lady Isabella is dies Clar. What go on speak but that word that syllable either False or True and I 'll forgive thee all 't is lost in death 1 Vill. You must with us Clar. Slaves do you know to whom you speak 1 Vill. Our orders are to force you if you resist Clar. Unhand me Dogs I am the Duke of Clarence 1 Vill. No matter who you are you are our Prisoner now Clar. Slaves Villains Murderers Exit forc'd off SCENE the inside of the Castle A Toylet Enter Isabella and Esperanza Isa Methinks I tread these Royal Rooms as bodies Summon'd to the Grave take their last melancholy Rounds and sadly traverse o'er and o'er the places that They best have loved Oh love are all that bend beneath Thy weight oppress'd like me no 't is impossible Then humane kind wou'd throw thy bondage off But alas thy crowds of Votaries are Rovers all Play with desire catch'd at the eyes and changed Without a pang 't is not my Clarence so with us The link of Souls has fixt our meeting Passions I hope beyond the power of Fate to break By yon lifted tapers Show the Queen is coming Be gone my Esperanza get our disguises ready And wait me at the outer Court Esper Madam I will Isa See where they come Tudor and the Queen Arm in arm they walk Love takes up Exit Es Every thought and every wish Nor cou'd those Majestick eyes of Catharine Express more pleasure more satisfaction When she beheld a Thousand ready slaves Who watch'd each motion and fled to execute E'er she cou'd speak her will this proves Possessing the dear object that 's beloved Superiour to ambition a sublimer Joy And Clarence shall not thou and I be thus happy Yes if in France they give us but an humble Vineyard
Soldiers carry This body to the outer Court from his dead trunk Severe his head think it not cruelty For he feels no further pain Cat. Ha! must he not be buried then but mangled More yes he shall I 'll hide him I 'll scrape the Earth up But I 'll find a Grave Receive him common Parent Receive him at my call Glou. Divide her from his Body Cat. No never never hear me Gloucester I will help thy invention mend thy bloody purpose Cut off my living limbs mingle 'em with his Throw upon us molten Lead and Seas of liquid fires But divide us now no more Glou. Haste ye sluggards Drag Tudor out the Queen falls at the door Gently raise the Queen And in some other apartment let her be confin'd This was a shock indeed but this o'ercome Points out lost Henry's succeeding doom The End of the Fourth Act. ACT the Fifth The Trumpets play an overture of Victory Then Enter King Edward Duke of Gloucester Warwick and Lords Lord Dacres and several other Prisoners Edw. 'T IS done the business of the War is done The House of Lancaster has yielded back The honours unjustly they usurp'd in storms The Red Rose folds up her silken leaves And sinks beneath a Sea of blood from whence Our's the White emblem of Peace arises And shall bless the Land with plenty henceforth English Swords shall be no more sheathed In English bosoms in Foreign Lands we 'll search For new Acquests of Glory for when our native Earth is reduced with the Blood of those we Call our Foes we must blush to think They shou'd have been our Brethren Warw. Then after Conquest let 'em be so received To shew the War was just shun cruelty Edw. Far be it from my Nature or if it were I wou'd submit to you the mighty Warwick Whose very name brought Victory whose Sword Has led me on to all the Honours I have won Warw. I am not used to flatter yet must say A thousand eyes can witness that you fought Almost beyond the power of Man Nor did your Brothers lag behind thrice did I Follow Clarence's rash inadvertency Which plung'd him headlong midst their thickest Troops Yet the bold youth despis'd my aid And with deaths a round him clear'd his way Glou. I gave that fury to his arm When the imprison'd Lyon was let loose And told that Thyrrold was amongst our Foes Warw. Why does he shun the glory 's of this day And having shar'd the danger refuse the Triumphs Which are to his valour due Edw. That 's a melancholy story But time will wean him of his follies My Lord Dacres I think you 've long been Chamberlain to the late Queen Catharine I mean Dac I have And wish more to express my Loyalty My blood was mingled with theirs whose brave Souls Now are mounted upwards tho' their bodies Lie weltring on the plain Edw. Only do me Justice in your Reports And take your Liberty hast to your afflicted Queen And tell her Revenge the insatiable Monster Now is gorg'd and shall towards her for ever sleepâ—… Where e'er she chooses there uninterrupted And in Peace she shall remain Dac I wou'd not King For that title now thou hast purchas'd Take a favour where I never mean to make returns Yet thus far my Age and Sorrows force me To promise no more to lift a Sword against thee I 've seen the ruin of my Royal master's Race And in some Cell I 'll not repine at thee But mourn their hard fate for ever Exit Da. Edw. A truly honest man Nor wou'd power or perswasion bend him Loyalty is like Religion that we suck in first Tho' with the strongest Arguments assail'd Most hardly is remov'd on the Prisoners In the List see execution done The rest be guarded with effectual care Now let the sound of Victory fore-run us To every Quarter of the Camp whilst we Receive our well deserving Soldiers With Praise and Love The Trumpets sound again Exeunt Manent Gloucester and a Servant Glou. Thus far we have done well the Clouds are Vanish'd and the bright Sun of Glory shines but 't is Upon my Elder Brothers and what 's all this to me Edward and Clarence two goodly spreading Oaks If both stand fair I must expect no growth This Letter as from an unknown hand lays all the Odium of his Imprisonment upon the King and What will touch him nearer his Mistress loss Who by this time is married to Thyrrold or worse For he had unbounded license the Contents of the Paper send him thither too I am sure the Plot 's Well laid and must produce some mischief which Ever way it makes for me Here trusty Friend With your usual Caution get this deliver'd to the Duke of Clarence Serv. It shall Sir Exit Serv. Glou. Were it alone to sight for Kingdoms a well made thick Skull'd Hero might Excell me but to keep the Engine of the mind At work by a deep thought to do the Business and turn the fools Swords upon each other There I exceed the brawny Fellows and show my Master piece Exit SCENE the Castle Enter Thyrrold Isabella and a Priest Thyr. Nay Madam struggle not what was before Perverseness now will become a Sin you know you Are my wedded Wife Isa Horrid prophaner of Heav'ns Laws and ruiner Of me did I not fly from thy detested hands And call the Saints to witness I wou'd never joyn Thee speak Holy Father tho' ancle deep thou art Not plunged all o'er in Sin was that a Marriage When my Screams rent the Sacred Chappel and When my spirit quite exhausted I lay in Dreadfull swounings on the cold pavement Pri. You will not hear me out I say 't was by Compulsion yet 't was your stubbornness Occasion'd it and since 't is for the good of both I pronounce it valid Isa Say not so Holy Father you shou'd Protect injur'd innocence Oh do not leave Me stay I conjure you stay Pri. Madam I cannot pray loose your hold business Of Importance calls me hence Thyr. Slip thro' the Files and bid 'em guard the Passage well Look up my fair Bride Exit Priest Be nice and coy no more for spight of all your Coldness ye now are mine Isa 'T is false if there be Guardian Angels if the Just powers take note of holy vows already Made they will assist my helpless cries and keep Me from the curse of being thine yet hear me Thyrrold since Villany has born the mask of Love Thus far I forgive thee quit me now and leave The reward of such a kindness to one who Owns a generous Soul Thyr. Have my Rival thank me is' t not so were your Beauty no greater than your Politicks it had never Come to this What be a Traytor to that Queen Who from my youth had foster'd me draw the Noble Tudor's blood upon my head and then give Back the price for which I stak'd my Soul Isa Tudor dead Oh I must prepare to suffer My Queens