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النشر الإلكتروني

And when he fails, oh, may he leave a son,
With equal virtues to adorn his throne ;
To latest times the blessing to convey,

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 Shall live in these distracted eyes for ever!

Curse on thy fatal arts, thy cruel counsels! [To Gard. The queen is deaf, and pitiless as thou art.

Gar. The just reward of heresy and treason Is fallen upon 'em 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 To set a bound to mercy unconfin'd?

But know, thou proud, perversely-judging Winchester!

Howe'er you hard, imperious censures doom,
And portion out our lot in worlds to come,
Those, who, with honest hearts, pursue the right,
And follow faithfully truth's sacred light,
Tho' suff'ring here, shall from their sorrows cease,
Rest with the saints, and dwell in endless peace.

[Exeunt.

EPILOGUE.

THE palms of virtue heroes oft have worn;
Those wreaths to-night a female brow adorn.
The destin'd saint, unfortunately brave,
Sunk with those altars which she strove to save.
Greatly she dar'd to prop the juster side,

As greatly with her adverse fate comply'd,

Did all that Heav'n could ask, resign'd, and dy'd;
Dy'd for the land for which she wish'd to live,

And gain'd that liberty she could not give.
Oh, happy people of this fav'rite isle,

On whom so many better angels smile!

For you, kind Heav'n new blessings still supplies,
Bids other saints, and other guardians rise :
For you the fairest of her sex is come,
Adopts our Britain, and forgets her home:
For truth and you the heroine declines
Austria's proud eagles, and the Indian mines.
What sense of such a bounty can be shown !
But Heav'n must make the vast reward its own,
And stars shall join to make her future crown.
Your gratitude with ease may be express'd;
Strive but to be, what she would make you, bless'd.
Let not vile faction vex the vulgar ear

With fond surmise, and false affected fear:

Confirm but to yourselves the given good;
'Tis all she asks, for all she has bestow'd.
Such was our great example shewn to-day,
And with such thanks our author's pains repay.
If from these scenes, to guard your faith you learn;
If for our laws you shew a just concern ;
If you are taught to dread a popish reign;
Our beauteous patriot has not dy'd in vain.

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