O. Man. Kneel down, and ask its mercy. Tyke. I dare not, father! I dare not! Oh, if I durst but just thank it for thy life! O. Man. Angels will sing for joy. Tyke. What!-may I, think you? May I-may I? [By degrees he tremblingly falls on his knees, and clasps his hands with energetic devotion. Scene closes. SCENE FROM THE EARL OF WARWICK. DR. FRANCKLIN. [Dr. Thomas Francklin was born in 1721. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, of which university he subsequently became Greek professor. He translated Lucian, Sophocles, and other classic authors, and wrote "The Earl of Warwick," and other tragedies. He obtained successively the livings of Ware, Thundridge, and Brasted, and was made King's Chaplain. Died 1784.] KING EDWARD. CHARACTERS: THE EARL OF WARWICK. THE EARL OF SUFFOLK Enter KING EDWARD and the EARL OF SUFFOLK. K. Edw. I fear we've gone too far: th' indignant Warwick Ill brook'd our steady purpose; mark'd you, Suffolk, With what an eye of scorn he turn'd him from us, And low'r'd defiance: that prophetic woman! Half of her curse already is fulfill'd, And I have lost my friend. Suf. Some friends, perhaps, Are better lost: you'll pardon me, my liege; But, were it fitting, I could tell a tale Would soon convince you Warwick is as weak.- Thy noble heart too much: I dare not, sir: K. Edw. Then, by thee Let it be told me, Suffolk! thy kind hand Will best administer the bitter draught: Go on, my Suffolk; speak, I charge thee, speak. Suf. That rival whom thou wish'st me to discover K. Edw. Ay, what of him? quick, tell me hast thou found The happy traitor ? give me but to know, That I may wreak my speedy vengeance on him. K. Edw. Ha! it cannot be: I would not think it for a thousand worlds. Now, Suffolk, do I fear thou speak'st from envy Of truth, from one whose honour and whose word K. Edw. From her! nay, then, I fear it must be so. Was master of, I urg'd your ardent passion; K. Edw. Oh! nev er Suffolk, may I live to see This cumbrous garb of majesty : shake off that clings So close around me, meet him man to man, Keep Warwick from my sight. Enter the EARL OF WARWICK. War. Behold him here; No welcome guest, it seems, unless I ask My Lord of Suffolk's leave: there was a time [Exit SUFFOLK K. Edw. There was a time, perhaps, When Warwick more desir'd and more deserv'd it. Guided in secret ev'ry latent wheel Of government, and mov'd the whole machine: War. Who gave that cipher worth, and seated thee Bade the rough waves subside in peace, and steer'd Which you no longer want; but know, proud youth, K. Edw. Know, too, reproach for benefits receiv'd, War. Why, that, indeed, is frugal honesty, A thrifty saving knowledge, when the debt Grows burthensome, and cannot be discharg'd, A sponge will wipe out all, and cost you nothing. K. Edw. When you have counted o'er the numerous trair Of mighty gifts your bounty lavish'd on me, You may remember next the injuries Which I have done you, let me know them all, And I will make you ample satisfaction. War. Thou canst not; thou hast robb'd me of a jewel It is not in thy power to restore: I was the first, shall future annals say, That broke the sacred bond of public trust In after times, mere instruments, perhaps, Of venal statesmen, shall recall my name That haunt your court, could none be found but Warwick K. Edw. And wouldst thou turn the vile reproach on me? If I have broke my faith, and stain'd the name Of England, thank thy own pernicious counsels That urg'd me to it, and extorted from me A cold consent to what my heart abhorr❜d. War. I've been abus'd, insulted, and betray'd; My injur'd honour cries aloud for vengeance; Her wounds will never close! K. Edw. These gusts of passion Will but inflame them; if I have been right War. Elizabeth! K. Edw. Nay, start not, I have cause War. And so have I; Too well I know thy breach of friendship there ; K. Edw. I scorn it, sir; Elizabeth hath charn.~, So all-commanding in the name of Warwick, War. By heav'n! 'tis false; You knew it all, and meanly took occasion, A treasure which your kingdom could not purchase. I had a right, nor will I tamely yield My claim to happiness, the privilege To choose the partner of my throne and bed: It is a branch of my prerogative. War. Prerogative! what's that? the boast of tyrants: A borrow'd jewel, glitt'ring in the crown With specious lustre, lent but to betray; K. Edw. And therefore do I prize it; I would guard K. Edw. Is it so, my lord? Then mark my words: I've been your slave too long, But henceforth know, proud peer, I am thy master, And will be so: the king who delegates His pow'r to others' hands but ill deserves War. Look well, then, to your own; It sits but loosely on your head; for know, K. Edw. Nor he who threaten'd Edward: Enter GUARDS. War. Slaves, stand off; If I must yield my sword, I'll give it him With English blood in grateful Edward's cause. I'll wear them. Exert your pow'r, it may not last you long; For know, though Edward may forget his friend, [Exit the KING, R. [Exeunt WARWICK and GUARDS, L. NORVAL AND GLENALVON. THE REV. JOHN HOME. [John Home was born in Roxburghshire in 1724. He was educated for the Church, but in the rebellion of 1745, entered the Royal army, and was taken |