From injur❜d France, contempt, with deep resent ment For broken faith, and enmity eternal. King E. Eternal be it then; for, as I prize I will not wed her.- -Gracious Heaven! what am I? To make their king the only slave among them? Warw. The worst of slaves is he, whom passion rules, Uncheck'd by reason, and the pow'rful voice Of friendship, which, I fear, is heard no more Of flatt'rers, that sooth his darling vices, Of Warwick's friendly hand, and give him back Suf. My lord, we thank you for the kind suggestion, Howe'er ill founded; and when next we meet, Pemb. My lord of Suffolk, speak But for yourself; Warwick has too much cause Whate'er you courtiers think, the best support Buck. It becomes But ill the Earl of Pembroke King E. Good my lords, Let us have no dissensions here; we met Of moment; for the present, urge no further [The Council breaks up, and disperses. King E. [Coming up to WARWICK.] Lord Warwick, keep In narrower bounds, that proud impetuous temper;may be fatal-there are private reasons; It When time befits, we shall impart them to you; Warw. So 'Tis well-'tis very well-I have deserv'd it; Ha! who's here? The captive queen! if she has aught to ask [Exit. Of me, she comes in luckless hour, for I Am pow'rless now. Enter MARGARET OF ANJOU. Warw. Will Margaret of Anjou, Marg. Whose name was-Edward; Warw. Amazement! naught escapes thy piercing eye, And penetrating judgment: 'tis too true; I am a poor, disgrac'd, dishonour'd slave, Not worth thy seeking; leave me; for the tide Marg. The feast, perhaps, you have provided, suits not With Edward's nicer palate; he disdains, Warw. Sure, thou deal'st With some all-knowing spirit, who imparts Each secret purpose to thee, else, how knew'st thou That Edward had refus'd to wed the princess? Marg. O, it requires no supernatural aid I could have told you this long since; for know, And, but for your return, as unexpected, Warw. Determin'd, say'st thou? Gracious Heaven! 'tis well I am return'd. Marg. Indeed, my lord, you came Warw. Margret, I thank thee-yes, it must be so; Marg. Wherefore? Is it so strange, a mind, unfraught with wisdom, Should follow pleasure, through the crooked paths Marg. Hold, hold, my lord, Be not too rash; who fights in darkness, oft Marg. But as fame reports, Of peerless beauty, and transcendent charms, D Warw. Of me? What virtues? Whose? Marg. Elizabeth's. Warw. Amazement? no, it must not, cannot be ! Elizabeth! he could not, dare not do it! Confusion! I shall soon discover all ! [Aside. Marg. Dissimulation sits but ill, my lord, On minds like yours. I am a poor weak woman, And so, it seems, you think me; but suppose That same all-knowing spirit which you rais'd, Who condescends so kindly to instruct me, Should whisper-Warwick knows the pow'r of love, As well as Edward, that Elizabeth Was his first wish, the idol of his soul; What say you?-Might I venture to believe it? Warw. Margret, you might; for, 'tis in vain to bide A thought from thee; it might have told you too, On earth as Warwick: give me but the proof Marg. Lord Suffolk was last night despatch'd to Grafton, To offer her a share in Edward's throne. Warw. Which she refus'd, did she not, Margret? say She did. Marg. I know not that, my lord, but crowns Are dazzling meteors in a woman's eye: Such strong temptations, few of us, I fear, Have virtue to resist. Warw. Elizabeth Has ev'ry virtue. I'll not doubt her faith. Marg. Edward is young, and handsome. Waru. Curses on him! Think'st thou, he knew my fond attachment there? Marg. O, passing well, my lord; and when 'twas urg'd |