And wond'ring how thy soul could choose a partner Guil. How could my tongue Take pleasure, and be lavish in thy praise! Pem. Oh! gen'rous youth! What can a heart, stubborn and fierce, like mine, I would be grateful. -Yet I would, Oh, hapless Pembroke! Would I had never seen her, never cast Mine eyes on Suffolk's daughter! Guil. So would I; Since it was mine to see and love her first. Pem. Oh! Why should she, a good to all around her Like light, a common blessing to the world, Rise like a blasting fatal to our friendship, Guil. Heaven forbid! But tell me, Pembroke, is it not in virtue Pemb. Name it not, My fiery spirits kindle at the thought, Guil. And, yet, I think, I shou'd not murmur, were thy lot to prosper, Pemb. Ha! could'st thou bear it? And, yet, perhaps, thou might'st: Thy gentle tempez While mine, disdaining reason and her laws, Then pity me, and let my weakness stand.- Gates. The lords of council [Exit Sir J. G. This only, and no more then. Whatsoever Our friendship and our honour. And, since love His own heart and the world may all condemn him. [Exit Pembroke Guil. How cross the ways of life lie! While we think We travel on direct in one high road, And have our journey's end oppos'd in view, -death: Love, friendship, hatred, in their turns mislead us, In the 4to.it is Enter a Messenger. Enter Lady JANE GRAY with attendants. Hail, princely maid! who with auspicious beauty. L. J. Gray. Yes, Guilford, well dost thou compare my presence To the faint comfort of the waning moon: Guil. He lives as yet, But ev'ry moment cuts away a hope, ? L. J. Gray. May choirs of angels, waiting to receive Tune their melodious harps to some high strain, [him, And waft him upwards with a song of triumph :' Oh, Guilford! what remams for wretched England, When he, our guard and growing hope, forsakes us Guil. I own my heart bleeds inward at the thought, " And rising horrors crowd the opening scene.' And yet, forgive me, thou, my native country, Thou land of liberty, thou nurse of heroes, Forgive me, if, in spite of all thy dangers, New springs of pleasure flow within my bosom, When thus 'tis giv'n me to behold with wonder The excelling hand which moulds the human visage, Giving each day new patterns of its skill, And yet at once surpassing them.' L. J. Gray. Vain flattery! Harsh and ill-sounding ever to my ear; But, on a day like this, the raven's note Strikes on my sense more sweetly.' But, no more, 'I charge thee touch th' ungrateful theme no more;' Lead me to pay my duty to the king, To wet his pale cold hand with these last tears, Guil. Were I like dying Edward, sure a touch L. J. Gray. Still wilt thou frame thy speech to this vain purpose, When the wan King of Terrors stalks before us,' When universal ruin gathers round, And no escape is left us? Are we not Like wretches in a storm, whom ev'ry moment Around us see the pale despairing crew, Wring their sad hands, and give their labour o'er ;' One solemn thought of death does all employ, [Exeunt. ACT II. The SCENE continues. Enter the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, and the North. Yet then be cheer'd, my heart, amidst thy mourning, Tho' gloom hang heavy o'er us, tho' pale fear Tho' never day of grief was known like this, Suff. I know not what my secret soul presages, But, you, my noble brother, would prevail, North. Doubt not any thing; Nor hold the hour ill-suited. That good Heav'n, Suff. In that I trust. Good angels be our guard, Enter the Duchess of SUFFOLK† and Lord GUILFORD Guil. How shall I speak the fulness of my heart? What shall I say, to bless you for this goodness? Oh! gracious princess! But my life is yours, And all the business of my years to come, Is, to attend with humblest duty on you, And pay my vow'd obedience at your feet. Duch. Suff. Yes, noble youth, I share in all thy joys, In all the joys which this sad day can give. The dear delight I have to call thee son, From this and the subsequent parts of the act it appears that Rowe makes the marriage of Lord Guilford Dudley with Lady Jane Gray and the death of Edward VI. to have happened on the same day; but in reality the former took place towards the end of May, and the latter July 6, 1553, See the Editor's Preface, p. 328, 329, 347. + See the Editor's Preface, p. 323. |