"Rise, glory, rise in all thy charms, To conquer Love will ask them all." [Exit. SCENE II. The Scene changes to that part of the Bower where Sir Trusty lies upon the ground, with the bowl and dagger on the table. ENTER QUEEN. Every star, and every pow'r, Look down on this important hour: Lend your protection and defence. Every guard of innocence! Help me my Henry to assuage, Mysterious love, uncertain treasure, Kill'd with fears, Endless torments dwell about thee: But oh the sight my soul alarms: [Retires to the end of the stage. SCENE III. KING AND QUEEN. KING. Some dreadful birth of fate is near: Crush'd by the thunder of the Gaul? Fain would my tongue his griefs appease, And give his tortur'd bosom ease. KING. But see! the cause of all my fears, Inform'd my soul Eleonora was too near. [Aside. QUEEN. Why do I here my lord receive? KING. Is this the welcome that you give. QUEEN. Thus should divided lovers' meet? BOTH. "And is it thus, ah! thus we greet!" QUEEN. What, in these guilty shades, could you, Floods of sorrow will I shed To mourn the lovely shade! My Rosamond, alas! is dead, And where, O where convey'd! "So bright a bloom, so soft an air, Did ever nymph disclose! The lily was not half so fair, Nor half so sweet the rose. QUEEN. How is his heart with anguish torn! [Aside. KING. The living! speak, oh speak again! QUEEN. Were your lov'd Rosamond alive, KING. Oh no; by visions from above Forbear, my lord, to grieve, And know your Rosamond does live. Oh how pleasing 'tis to please! KING. O quickly relate This riddle of fate! Does Rosamond live? QUEEN. The bowl, with drowsy juices fill'd, KING. How am I blest, if this be true! QUEEN. Atoning for herself and you. KING. I ask no more! secure the fair In life and bliss: I ask not where: May the whole world believe her dead, Its broken passion to renew, QUEEN. How does my heart, for such a prize, But see your slave, while yet I speak, [Aside. |