"Hang it to grace some slavering idiot's neck, "For none but fools will praise the tinsel toy." But thou art come, perhaps, to vaunt thy greatness, And set thy purple pomp to view before me; To let me know that Guilford is a king, That he can speak the word, and give me freedom. Oh, short-liv'd pageant! had'st thou all the pow'r Which thy vain soul wou'd grasp at, I wou'd die, Rot in a dungeon, ere receive a grace, 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; And if thy rage will suffer thee to hear The counsel of a man once call'd thy friend, Fly from this fatal place, and seek thy safety. Pem. How now! what shew! what mockery is this? "Is it in sport you use me thus? What means "This swift fantastic changing of the scene?” Guil. Oh, take thy sword; and let thy valiant hand Be ready arm'd to guard thy noble life: The time, the danger, and the wild impatience, Forbid me all to enter into speech with thee, Pem. No, it needs not, traitor! For all thy poor, thy little arts are known. So little, to accuse my heart of fear? Hast thou forgotten Musselborough's field? And dy'd my maiden sword in Scottish blood? Pem. Give me my sword. [Taking his sword. Perhaps indeed, I wrong thee. Thou hast thought; And, conscious of the injury thou hast done me, Lead then, and let me follow to the field. Guil. Yes, Pembroke, thou shalt satisfy thy vengeance, And write thy bloody purpose on my bosom. I beg thee ask no more, but haste from hence. Pem. What mystic meaning lurks beneath thy words? What fear is this, which thou wou'dst 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. Pem. "By Heav'n! I wo'not stir a step." Curse on this shuffling, dark, ambiguous phrase! If thou wou'dst have me think thou mean'st me fairly, horror! Somewhat that darkness shou'd have hid for ever, berland, Directed to his minions, Gates and Palmer. What's this? [Reads. "Remember, with your closest care, to observe those whom I nam'd to you at parting; especially keep your 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 re solution was taken, if you should find him inclined to our enemies. The forms of justice are tedious, and delays are dangerous. If he falters, lose not the sight of him till your daggers have reached his heart."// My heart! Oh, murd'rous villain ! Guil. Since he parted, Thy ways have all been watch'd, thy steps been mark'd; That harbour in the city, thy conferring Guil. Waste not the time. Away! Pem. Here let me fix, And gaze with everlasting wonder on thee. That is not found in thee? Thy virtues flash, They break at once on my astonish'd soul; "As if the curtains of the dark were drawn, "To let in day at midnight. "Guil. Think me true; "And tho' ill fortune cross'd upon our friendship "Pem. Curse on our fortune !-Think I know thee. honest." Guil. For ever I cou'd hear thee-but thy life, Oh, Pembroke! linger not Pem. And can I leave thee, Ere I have clasp'd thee in my eager arms, Guil. What is there that my soul can more desire, The danger comes You die, my Pembroke. Pem. 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: My honour is at stake. Guil. I know 'tis given. But go-the stronger thy engagements there, I W P A |