In one poor minute gone; at once they withered, And left their place all desolate behind them, L. J. Gray. Such is this foolish world, and such the certainty Of all the boasted blessings it bestows: Then, Guilford, let us have no more to do with it; Think only how to leave it as we ought; But trust no more, and be deceived no more. I bend my head with joy, and think it happiness My heart rejoices in thee more even now, Gar. The day wears fast; Lord Guilford, have Will you lay hold on life? Guil, What are the terms? Gar. Death, or the mass, attend you. Lead to the scaffold. Gar. Bear him to his fate. Guil. Oh, let me fold thee once more in my arms, Thou dearest treasure of my heart, and print L. J. Gray. Oh, wherefore dost thou soothe me with thy softness? Why dost thou wind thyself about my heart, Guil. My sight hangs on thee-Oh, support me, Heaven, In this last pang-and let us meet in bliss! [Guilford is led off by the guard, L. J. Gray. Can nature bear this stroke? Wom. Alas, she faints! [Supporting, L. J. Gray. Wilt thou fail now- -The killing stroke is past, And all the bitterness of death is o'er. Gar. Here let the dreadful hand of vengeance stay; Have pity on your youth, and blooming beauty; L. J. Gray. Cease, thou raven, But lingers on the wing, and waits for me. [The scene draws, and discovers a scaf- And see my journey's end. [Weeping. L. J. Gray. Forbear, my gentle maids, Nor wound my peace with fruitless lamentations; The good and gracious hand of Providence Shall raise you better friends than I have been. 1 Wom. Oh, never, never! L. J. Gray. Help to disarray, The pledges of a dying mistress' love, Gar. Will you yet Repent, be wise, and save your precious life? L. J. Gray. Oh, Winchester! has learning | To latest times the blessing to convey, taught thee that, To barter truth for life? Gar. Mistaken folly! You toil and travail for your own perdition, And die for damned errors. And guard that faith for which I die to-day! [Lady Jane goes up to the scaffold. The scene closes. Enter PEMBROKE. Pem. Horror on horror! Blasted be the hand That struck my Guilford! Oh, his bleeding trunk fare-Shall live in these distracted eyes for ever! Curse on thy fatal arts, thy cruel counsels! L. J. Gray. Who judge rightly, And who persists in error, will be known, Then, when we meet again. Once more, well! [To her women. Goodness be ever with you. When I'm dead, Entreat they do no rude, dishonest wrong To my cold, headless corpse; but see it shrouded, And decent laid in earth. Gar. Wilt thou then die? Thy blood be on thy head. L. J. Gray. My blood be where it falls; let the earth hide it; And may it never rise, or call for vengeance. ven, Hear and defend at length thy suffering people; To save thy altars from the rage of Rome : [To Gardiner, The queen is deaf, and pitiless as thou art. Gar. The just reward of heresy and treason Is fallen upon them both, for their vain obstinacy; Untimely death, with infamy on earth, And everlasting punishment hereafter. Pem. And canst thou tell? Who gave thee to explore The secret purposes of Heaven, or taught thee Howe'er you hard, imperious censures doom, cease, Rest with the saints, and dwell in endless peace. [Exeunt. Scene, The City of Damascus, in Syria, and the Saracen Cump before it. And, in the last Act, a Valley adjacent. SCENE I.-The City. ACT I. Enter EUMENES, followed by a crowd of people. Yes, I do pity them, Heaven knows I do, Enter IIERBIS. Herb. News! we are betrayed, deserted; The works are but half-manned; the Saracens Perceive it, and pour on such crowds, they blunt Eum. I have sent a fresh recruit; And though I braved it to the trembling crowd, I have caught the infection, and I dread the event. Would I had treated-but 'tis now too lateCome, Herbis. [Exeunt. [A noise is heard without, of officers giving orders. 1st. Offi. Help there! more help! all to the eastern gate! 2d Offi. Look where they cling aloft, like clustered bees! Here, archers, ply your bows. 1st Offi. Down with the ladders! What, will you let them mount ? Eum. True; they pretend the gates of Paradise Pho. Then would I send their souls to Paradise, 2d Offi. Aloft there! give the signal, you that Mean time, in spite of their late bold attack, The city still is ours; their force repelled, Eum. No-let us first Believe the occasion fair, by this advantage, To purchase their retreat on easy terms: Herb. So the tide turns; Phocyas has driven That failing, we the better stand acquitted it back. The gate once more is ours. Enter EUMENES, PHOCYAS, ARTAMON, &C. Eum. Brave Phocyas, thanks! Mine and the people's thanks. [People shout and cry, A Phocyas, &c. Yet, that we may not lose this breathing space, Hang out the flag of truce. You, Artanon, Haste with a trumpet to the Arabian chiefs, And let them know, that, hostages exchanged, I would meet them now upon the eastern plain. [Exit Artamon. Pho. What means Eumenes? peace What terms can you expect from bands of robbers! For barren sands, and native poverty, Eum. What can we do? Our people in despair, our soldiers harrassed Herb. Besides, you know what frenzy fires their minds Of their new faith, and drives them on to danger. To our own citizens. However, brave Phocyas, And in our absence form what force thou canst; SCENE II-A Plain before the City. A Prospect of Tents at a distance. Enter CALED, ABUDAH, and DAran. Dar. To treat, my chiefs ! what, are we merchants then, That only come to traffic with those Syrians, Cal. Why, so am I-and but to save the lives At your request, has stilled his angry voice, Eum. We come to know, Why on your heads you call our pointed arrows, Cal. Is that a question now? you had our sum mons, When first we marched against you, to surrender. You see we are returned; our hearts, our cause, Herb. But why those swords were drawn, And what's the cause, inform us. Eum. Speak your wrongs, If wrongs you have received, and by what means They may be now repaired. Abu. Then, christians, hear! And heaven inspire you to embrace its truth! command Immutable. By us great Mahomet, Art. [Aside.] So-then, it seems There is no harm meant; we are only to be beaten Into a new religion-If that's all, I find I am already half a convert. Eum. Now, in the name of Heaven, what faith is this, That stalks gigantic forth thus armed with terrors, Herb. Bold, frontless men! that impudently dare To blend religion with the worst of crimes! Eum. Where are your priests? What doctors of your law Have you e'er sent to instruct us in its precepts? And well might claim our thanks. Cal. Friendship like this With scorn had been received: your numerous vices, Your clashing sects, your mutual rage and strife, And reigns in mimic state, 'midst idol shows, Who mildly taught you-Therefore Mahomet Eum. O solemn truths! though from an im- That we're unworthy of our holy faith, Our prophet has bestowed them on the faithful, And heaven itself has ratified the grant. Eum. Oh! now indeed you boast a noble title! What could your prophet grant? a hireling slave! Not even the mules and camels, which he drove, Were his to give; and yet the bold impostor Has cantoned out the kingdoms of the earth, In frantic fits of visionary power, To soothe his pride, and bribe his fellow madmen! Cal. Was it for this you sent to ask a parley, But swear to live with us in firm alliance, And tribute is the slavish badge of conquest. Two, Caled, shall be thine; two thine, Abudah. |