And set thy purple pomp to view before me; That he can speak the word and give me freedom. The least, the meanest courtesy from thee. Guil. Oh, Pembroke! But I have not time to talk, For danger presses, danger unforeseen, And secret as the shaft that flies by night,* Is aiming at thy life. Captain, a word! [To the officer. I take your pris'ner to my proper charge; Draw off your guard, and leave his sword with me. [The Officer delivers the sword to Lord Guilford, and goes out with his Guard. [Lord Guilford offering the sword to Pembroke. Receive this gift, ev'n from a rival's hand; The counsel of a man once call'd thy friend, Pemb. How now! what shew! what mockery is this? The time, the danger, and thy wild impatience, Pemb. No, it needs not, traitor! For all thy poor, thy little arts are known. "Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day." Psalm xc1. 5. Guil. Ungrateful and unjust! Hast thou then known So little, to accuse my heart of fear? Hast thou forgotten Musselborough's field?* And dy'd my maiden sword in Scottish blood! Pemb. Give me my sword. [me [Taking his sword. Perhaps, indeed, I wrong thee. Thou hast thought; And conscious of the injury thou hast done me, Guil. Still vengeance! Thou must write thy bloody Upon my bosom!-But I've answer'd thee: [purpose And will again. Time wears. By our past friendship, In honour's name, by ev'ry sacred tie, I beg thee ask no more, but haste from hence. Pemb. What mystic meaning lurks beneath thy words? What fear is this which thou would'st awe my soul with? Is there a danger Pembroke dares not meet? Guil Oh, spare my tongue a tale of guilt and horror, Trust me this once: believe me when I tell thee, Thy safety and thy life is all I seek. Away, away! Pemb. I wo'not stir a step.' Begone this shuffling, dark, ambiguous phrase. If thou would'st have me think thou mean'st me fairly, Guil. Thou dost distress me, Pembroke. But, I trust, The occasion will acquit me in revealing What else most sacred were, a father's deed; * Commonly called the battle of Pinkey, fought Sept. 10, 1547. See Hume, Vol. 1v. ch. xxxiv, and Burnet, Vol. 11. p. 34. But, as Ld. G. D. was under 17 years of age when he married Lady J. G. in May 1553, he could not have been then 11 years old, and consequently it is very unlikely that he fought side by side with the Earl of Pembroke. Read there the fatal purpose of thy foe, [Giving a paper. A thought which wounds my soul with shame and horror! Somewhat that darkness should have hid for ever, But that thy life, Say, hast thou seen that character? Pemb. I know it well; the hand of proud NorthumDirected to his minions, Gates and Palmer. [berland, What's this? Reads. "Remember, with your closest care, to observe those "whom I named to you at parting; especially keep your 66 eye upon the Earl of Pembroke; as his power and "interest are most considerable, so his opposition will "be most fatal to us. Remember the resolution was "taken, if you should find him inclined to our enemies. "The forms of justice are tedious, and delays are dan66 gerous. If he falters, lose not the sight of him till 66 your daggers have reached his heart." My heart! Oh, murd'rous villain! Guil. Since we parted, Thy ways have all been watch'd, thy steps been mark'd; Thy secret treaties with the malecontents That harbour in the city, thy conferring With Gard'ner here in the Tower; all is known: Pemb. 'Tis so▬▬' But begone! -'tis truth-I see his honest heartGuil. I have a friend of well-tried faith and courage Who, with a fit disguise, and arms conceal'd, Attends without to guide thee hence in safety. Pemb. What is Northumberland? and what art thou? Guil. Waste not the time. Away! Pemb. Here let me fix, And gaze with an unwearied wonder on thee. Guil. Think me true; And tho' some cross events have hurt our friendship Pemb. Bury th' events! thee honest.' -And think!-I know Guil. For ever I could hear thee-but thy life, Oh, Pembroke! linger not Pemb. And can I leave thee, Ere I have clasp'd thee in my eager arms, It wander'd forth, but found no resting-place, Guil. What is there that my soul can more desire, Pemb. Let me stay and die; For, if I go, I go to work thy ruin. Thou know'st not what a foe thou send'st me forth, And pledg'd my faith to Mary and her cause: Guil. I know 'tis given. But go-the stronger thy engagements there, Love, rage, despair and yet I will be master- [Exeunt Guilford and Pembroke. Enter Lady JANE GRAY, reading. L. J. Gray. 'Tis false! The thinking soul is some what more Than symmetry of atoms well-dispos'd, The harmony of matter. The hope of all hereafter, that new life, Guil. What read'st thou there, my queen? Guil. Shall thy soul Still scorn the world, still fly the joys that court Were objects worthy to employ her faculties?' 'L. J. Gray. 'Bate but thy truth, what is there here Deserving my regard? Is it not time To bid our souls look out, explore hereafter, • When all around our gathering foes come on, L. J. Gray. The faithless counsellors [below Are fled from hence to join the princess Mary. |