Marg. That, which alone, In sorrow's bitt'rest hour, can minister Lady C. Unhappy princess! that deceiver, hope, Marg. Edward and Warwick, those detested names, If we could break this adamantine chain, Lady C. The Lady Gray, you mean, the beauteous Whose husband fell in arms for Lancaster. Marg. The same.-Warwick long has lov'd- Marg. But if I have art, Or she ambition, that shall never be. I shall provide her with a fitter husband, Lady C. Ha! the king! impossible! Warwick, ev'n now, commission'd by the state, Marg. Solemn trifles! Mere cobweb ties-Love's a despotic tyrant! Of beauty, and Elizabeth has charms This peerless fair one? Marg. Yes-by my contrivance, When last he hunted in the forest, some, To Grafton; there-even as my soul had wish'd, His unsuspecting heart- He gaz'd, and wonder'd; for a while, his pride Lady C. What, if she refuse The golden bribe? Marg. No matter; all I wish Is but to make them foes.-Warwick He will not brook a rival in his love, Though seated on the throne; besides, thou know'st Lady C. Believe me, madam, Edward still reveres Are link'd together in the strictest bonds Marg. That but serves my cause: Lady C. Now the full prospect opens to my What pow'r shall e'er extinguish it? Alas! Enjoy it: O! 'twill be a noble contest view : Of pride 'gainst pride, oppression 'gainst oppression; Rise but the storm, and let the waves beat high, The wreck may be our own : And see, the king approaches; This way he passes from the council-Mark His downcast eye; he is a stricken deer; He cannot 'scape; We'll meet and speak to him. Lady C. What mean you, madam ? Marg. To ask him-what, I know, he will refuse; That gives me fair pretext to break with him, And join the man I hate, vindictive Warwick; But soft-he comes Enter KING EDWARD and an OFFICER. King E. Is Suffolk yet return'd? Offi. No, my good liege. [To the OFFICER. King E. Go, wait and bring him to me, Marg. Perhaps it is beneath [Exit. A conqu❜ror to look down upon his slave; King E. Whate'er it is, Within the limits of fair courtesy, Which honour can bestow, I'll not refuse thee. Marg. There was a time, when Margaret of Anjou Would not have deign'd to ask of Edward aught; Nor was there aught that Edward dar'd refuse her; But that is past-great Warwick's arm prevail'd, And I am now your pris'ner. King E. Since the hour When fortune smil'd propitious on the cause Marg. Give me back The liberty lost-restore my son, And I may then, perhaps, be reconcil'd To an usurper; may withhold my vengeance, And let thee sit, unpunish'd, on-my throne. King E. You talk too proudly, madam; but to show you I cannot fear, you have your liberty. Letters this morning I receiv'd from France, I grant it-from this moment you are free; What's liberty to me without my child? But fate will place us soon above thy reach; The storm is gath'ring on thee, and will burst King E. I am not to be talk'd into submission, Nor dread the menace of a clam'rous woman. Marg. Thou may'st have cause to dread a woman's pow'r. The time may come-mark my prophetic word— Hear this, and tremble-give me back my son- The charter of affliction, to complain.- Depends! for thou alone canst make me bless'd, What news; my Suffolk ? Shall I be happy ?-O! I'm on the rack King E. Good Suffolk, lay aside The forms of dull respect; be brief, and tell meSpeak, hast thou seen her?-Will she be my queen ? Quick! tell me ev'ry circumstance-each word, 1 |