Of distant groans; perhaps the king—perhaps
My Warwick bleeds. O! agonizing thought!
Great God of armies, whose all-guiding hand
Directs the fate of nations, Oh! look down
On thy own image, let not cruel discord
Divide their kindred souls! In pity hear,
Pour thy benignant spirit o'er their hearts,
And once more knit them in the bonds of peace!

Enter SUFFOLK.

Suf. The pray'r of innocence is always heard. Lady E. G. Ha! Suffolk! whither hastes thou? art thou come-

Suf. I come to heal thy sorrows, lovely fair one; To tell thee, Edward, and thy much lov'd Warwick, Once more are friends.

Lady E. G. Indeed! O, welcome news!

My joy's too great for utt'rance: tell me, Suffolk, How was it? speak, is Warwick safe? O, Heav'n!

Suf. A moment's patience, and I'll tell thee all. Margret, thou know'st, had rais'd a pow'rful force, That doubled Edward's troops; elate with pride, And almost sure of victory, she urg'd

The tardy spearmen; on they rush'd, as if
Secure of conquest: the unhappy king
Stood nobly firm, and seem'd to brave his fate;
When Warwick, like a guardian god, appear'd:
His noble mien, and all commanding look,
Struck deep attention; every eye was bent
Upon him, and an awful silence reign'd
O'er either host: he rais'd his voice on high,
And, Stop, he cry'd, your sacrilegious hands,
Nor touch my friend: who pierces Edward's breast,
Must pass through mine; I rais'd him to the throne,
And will support him there; to you I gave,
From you, my fellow soldiers, I expect him:
Howe'er the cruel wrongs have wounded me,

He never injur'd you, and I-forgive him.

He spake, and instant through the gazing crowd
A murmur ran; down dropp'd their nerveless arms,
As if enchanted by some magic power,

And, with one voice, they cry'd, Long live King Edward!

Lady E. G. How pow'rful is the tongue of eloquence,

When in the cause of virtue!-Well, what follow'd?
Suf. Encourag'd by the shouting soldiers, Edward
On like a modest virgin wishing came,

Yet fearful. Warwick, with a bridegroom's speed,
To meet him flew; into each other's arms
They ran with speechless joy: the tender scene
Affected ev'ry heart, and the rough soldier,
Unus'd to melting sympathy, forgot

His ruthless nature, and dissolv'd in tears.

Lady E. G. Sweet reconcilement! then, Elizabeth, Thou didst not plead in vain. But, say, how brook'd The haughty queen this unexpected change?

Suf. Abash'd, confounded, for a while she strove To stem the torrent, but in vain; then fled Precipitate.

Lady E. G. But where, Oh, where's my Warwick? Suf. With a few chosen squadrons he pursues The disappointed Margret.

Lady E. G. Oh, my fears!

I know not why, but at that hateful name

I tremble ever, my foreboding heart
Presages something dreadful.

Suf. Do not vex

Thy tender mind with visionary dangers.

Lady E. G. Oh! would to Heaven that he were

shelter'd here,

And safe within these arms!

Suf. Be not alarm'd ;

He is the care of Heaven; all good men love,
All bad ones fear him.

Lady E. G. Such superior merit

Must have a thousand foes, the constant mark
Of envy's poison'd darts.

Suf. There Suffolk feels

The keen reproach; with blushes I confess
There was a time, when, urg'd by fond ambition,
I look'd on Warwick with a jealous eye:
But this last noble deed hath won my heart,
And I am now a convert to his virtues ;

But see, the king approaches.

Enter KING EDWARD.

King E. Health, and peace,

And happiness, to fair Elizabeth!

[Exit SUFFOLK.

Thou art no stranger to the joyful news;
The lustre of those speaking eyes declares it.
Lady E. G. Suffolk, e'en now, hath bless'd me with
the tidings.

King E. O! 'tis amazement all: Elizabeth, When last we met, thou wert the suppliant; now, 'Tis I must ask forgiveness-I, who injur'd

The dearest, best of men; O! thou hast sav'd

Edward from shame, and England from destruction. Lady E. G. Did I not say, my Warwick would be just?

King E. Thou didst; and on those beauteous lips, fair truth,

And soft persuasion dwell: long time he stood
Inflexible, and, deaf to friendship's voice,
Listen'd to naught but all-subduing love.
In after times, thy name shall be enroll'd
Amongst the great deliv'rers of their country.
Lady E. G. I have no title to the lavish praise
Thy gen'rous heart bestows; I only said
What duty prompted, and what love inspir'd;
Indulgent Heav'n has crown'd it with success.

King E. Thou hast done all: I am indebted to thee

For more, much more, than I can e'er

repay.

Long time, with shame I own, hath Warwick soar'd
Above me; but I will not be outdone
For ever by this proud aspiring rival :
Poor as I am, there yet is one way left
To pay the debt of gratitude I owe him;
One great reward for such exalted virtues-
Thyself, Elizabeth.

Lady E. G. What means my lord,
My royal master?

King E. Yes; when next we meet
I will bestow it on him, will resign

All my fond claim to happiness and thee:
Though thy dear image ne'er can be effac'd

From Edward's breast; though still I dote upon thee;
Though I could hang for ever on thy beauties;
Yet will I yield them to their rightful lord ;
Warwick has earn'd, Warwick alone deserves them.
Lady E. G. 'Would he were here, to thank thee for
thy goodness!

Know, gen'rous prince, Elizabeth has long
Admir'd thy virtues, and could love admit
Of a divided heart, the noble Edward
Would share it with his friend.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Mess. My royal liege,

The rebels are dispers'd; queen Margaret's son
Was slain in the pursuit—and she-

King E. I hope

Secur'd

Mess. Is taken prisoner, and will soon
Be here.

King E. But where's Lord Warwick?
Mess. Behold, the queen approaches.

Enter MARGARET, Prisoner.

Marg. Once more I am your prisoner.

King E. 'Twill be prudent
Henceforth to keep you so.
Marg. You dare not!

Thou think'st, perhaps, that I shall sue to thee
For mercy: no; in Margaret of Anjou,
Thou seest the wife, and daughter of a king.
A spirit not to be subdu'd; though fall'n,
Triumphant still; and, though a pris'ner, free.
For know, I bear a mind above the reach
Of fortune, or of Edward. I have lost
All I could wish to live for, in my child;
And gain'd, what I most wish'd to gain-revenge!
Or life or death are now indiff'rent to me.

King E. For thy unbounded goodness, Power supreme,

Accept our praise!

Marg. Insulting piety! the common trick
Of hypocrites and slaves! when ye shall know
What Margret knows, ye may not be so thankful.
Methinks, 'tis pity Warwick is not here,

To join in your devotion.

Lady E. G. Would to Heav'n

He were!

Marg. That monster, that perfidious slave,
Who broke his faith to Margaret, and to thee;
Thy coward soul, unable to defend

The treasure thou hadst stolen, could meanly stoop
To court the traitor, whom thou dar'st not punish.
Not so the injur'd Margret-she repell'd
The wrongs she felt, and the deceiver met

The fate he merited.

King E. What fate?-E'en now,

Crown'd with immortal wreaths, the hero comes
To bless his friends, and punish guilt like thine.
Marg. Proud and deluded wretches! I look down
With pity on you: captive as I am,

"Tis mine to judge and punish; be it yours