He pays this visit to approve his love,
His fair design and honesty of heart
To Charles-Solicitous to bring you good,
Behold two bills, in tenor much the same
With those before presented; I presume,
The eye in danger more distinctly sees,
Freed from security's thick film: these sign'd,
Rigour may break her sword, and concord join us.
King. Can the low peasant mount his thoughts with

kings?

The servile judge of all men by themselves.
But know, mistaken man, the noble mind
Rises above distress; and terms, perhaps,
Which in the day of power I might accept,
Must be refus'd in this: but these can never.
There is no good that equals the exchange
Of peaceful thoughts and an untainted mind.
Crom. Where were those thoughts in Charles's for.
mer days,

When to despotic sway you stretch'd your view,
And would have pull'd up laws? when to that end
You so caress'd your fav'rite Buckingham,

The tool of your designs? What were your thoughts
When, from the fair impeachment of the public,
You shelter'd up that monster minister,

And hid him in the bosom of your fondness?

Juxon. Insolent Cromwell! know to whom thou speak'st;

Think what a distance Heaven has set between you; And be your words as humble as your state.

Crom. Distance! good bishop! but I cry you mercy; "For thus the clergy will still argue on, "Deny from pique, assert from prejudice; "Show us the lesson, seldom the example, "And preach up laws which they will ne'er obey." But thou art trash below the note of Cromwell: To thee I speak, protector of black Buckingham I "What must that monarch be, who lets one man "Ingross the offices of place and power, "Who, with the purloin'd money of the state, "Buys popularity, and whose careless eye "Sees our fair trade destroy'd by corsair force, And pirate violence; who merchandises trusts, "And highest posts-and whose unbounded power "Does on his worthless kindred lavish titles ?”

King. Were I the person that thy malice speaks, I should deserve this treatment. Thy base charge Strikes at my honesty as king and man,

And forces me to answer. Well I know
That for my actions here, to Heaven alone
I stand accountable: yet stooping thus,
(Low as to thee) I thus avow my justice;
Have I not still maintain'd the subjects' rights,
Preserv'd religion pure; nay, struggled for it,
E'en to this hour, the witness of thy insolence
What would your faction have? If monarchy,
Must not govern by the acts of state ?
I am a monarch else without a council.
Would you reduce the state to anarchy?
You are a council then without a power.

Crom. You feel our power (as slightly as you term

it).

King. Such as a robber's, by surprise and force: Where is your right from Heaven?

Crom. Power!

The right of nature and the free-born man.

King. Leave me.

Crom. You speak as if you still were king.
King. If not, what am I then? ̧

Crom Charles Stuart, nothing more.

King. Well may the servile herd insult and threaten, When they behold the lion in the toils.

Crom. You may complain as much as suits your will, You've still that comfort left-So fare you well.

[Exit.

Juxon. Thus is good fortune treated by the base:
O, did she know how much they shame her favours,
She would confer them only on the great!

Be cheerful, sir; he is not worth a thought.
King. O Juxon think what majesty must feel,
Who bears an insult from a subject tongue !
But let him hence-I am compos'd again,
And for the worst prepar'd.

All-gracious Heaven!

You gave me power, and you may take it back;
You gave me life, and may reclaim the gift;
That as you please-But spare this luckless land,
And save it from misfortune's rugged hand!
My every wish is for its joys' increase,

And my

last prayer shall be my people's peace.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV. SCENE 1.

Enter King CHARLES, the QUEEN, and Lady FAIRFAX.

Queen.

Is it like love thus to persuade me hence ?

Is it like love, alas! in me to go?

Can she be faithful to her luckless lord,
Who will be absent in affiction's hour?

Is it not then the lenient hand of love
Proves its best office? Then the virtuous wife
Shines in the full meridian of her truth,

And claims her part of sorrow: O, my lord,

Have I been so unthrifty of thy joy,

That you deny me to partake your woe?

King. No, my best queen-you wrong my heart's design.

'Tis not my wish advises-but my fear,

My fears for thee, the tenderest part of Charles: When thou art safe beyond their barbarous power, I cannot feel misfortune.

Queen. But I shall,

More than to share e'en death with thee:

My sorrows will be doubled if I go :

The pangs of separation must be great,
And my conceit of what my Charles may feel
Exceed reality.O let me stay-

I was prepar'd to suffer all things with you,

But not the shock of parting.

Lady Fair. Welcome, tears!

Who that have virtue can behold this scene,

And not be actors in it?

King. Now 'tis past.

I would have sooner spoke, but powerful nature
First claim'd my tears, ere she would lend me words:
It must not be, my love; thy prayer to stay
(The growing proof of thy eternal love)
Argues against thee to my tender heart,

And forces thee away: this worthy lady

Has found the means, and made the generous offer,
Her care prepares your flight: the present hour,
That forces me before their black tribunal,
Will hold all eyes regardless of your steps,
And make security thy guide:-

-farewell!

Till we shall meet again, thy dear idea

Shall in my waking fancy still revive,
And fill up every dream.

Queen My dearest lord,

Can you so easily pronounce

-farewell,

When that farewell may be perhaps—for ever?
O can you leave me thus ?.

Methinks our parting should affect the world,
And nature sympathise with griefs like ours-
O let me stay, at least, till this black day
Be past, that I may know the worst!

To be in doubt is worse than to be certain;
My apprehension will increase my woe,

And bring the blackest scenes of death before me.