The Earl of Warwick :: :: University of Virginia Library

My lord of Suffolk's leave—there was a time
When Warwick wanted not his aid to gain
Admission here.

EDWARD.
There was a time perhaps,
When Warwick more desired and more—deserv'd it.

WARWICK.
Never; I've been a foolish faithful slave;
All my best years, the morning of my life,
Hath been devoted to your service: what
Are now the fruits? disgrace and infamy;
My spotless name which never yet the breath
Of calumny had tainted, made the mock
For foreign fools to carp at: but 'tis fit
Who trust in princes, shou'd be thus rewarded.

EDWARD.
I thought, my lord, I had full well repay'd
Your services with honours, wealth, and pow'r
Unlimited: thy all-directing hand
Guided in secret ev'ry latent wheel
Of government, and mov'd the whole machine:
Warwick was all in all, and pow'rless Edward
Stood like a cypher in the great account.

WARWICK.
Who gave that cypher worth, and seated thee
On England's throne? thy undistinguish'd name
Had rotted in the dust from whence it sprang,
And moulder'd in oblivion, had not Warwick
Dug from its sordid mine the useless ore,
And stamp'd it with a diadem. Thou know'st,
This wretched country, doom'd, perhaps, like Rome,
To fall by its own self-destroying hand,
Tost for so many years in the rough sea

Of civil discord, but for me had perish'd.
In that distressful hour I seiz'd the helm,
Bade the rough waves subside in peace, and steer'd
Your shatter'd vessel safe into the harbour.
You may despise, perhaps, that useless aid
Which you no longer want; but know, proud youth,
He who forgets a friend, deserves a foe.

EDWARD.
Know too, reproach for benefits receiv'd
Pays ev'ry debt, and cancels obligation.

WARWICK.
Why, that indeed is frugal honesty,
A thristy saving knowledge, when the debt
Grows burthensome, and cannot be discharg'd.
A spunge will wipe out all, and cost you nothing.

EDWARD.
When you have counted o'er the numerous train
Of mighty gifts your bounty lavish'd on me,
You may remember next the inj'ries
Which I have done you; let me know 'em all,
And I will make you ample satisfaction.

WARWICK.
Thou can'st not; thou hast robb'd me of a jewel
It is not in thy pow'r to restore:
I was the first, shall future annals say,
That broke the sacred bond of public trust
And mutual confidence; ambassadors,
In after times, mere instruments, perhaps,
Of venal statesmen, shall recal my name
To witness, that they want not an example,
And plead my guilt, to sanctify their own.
Amidst the herd of mercenary slaves

That haunt your court, cou'd none be found but Warwick,
To be the shameless herald of a lye?

EDWARD.
And woud'st thou turn the vile repoach on me?
If I have broke my faith, and stain'd the name
Of England, thank thy own pernicious counsels
That urg'd me to it, and extorted from me
A cold consent to what my heart abhor'd.

WARWICK.
I've been abus'd, insulted, and betray'd;
My injur'd honour cries aloud for vengeance,
Her wounds will never close!

EDWARD.
These gusts of passion,
Will but inflame them; if I have been right
Inform'd, my lord, besides these dang'rous scars
Of bleeding honour, you have other wounds
As deep, tho' not so fatal: such perhaps
As none but fair Elizabeth can cure.

WARWICK.
Elizabeth!

EDWARD.
Nay, start not, I have cause
To wonder most: I little thought indeed
When Warwick told me I might learn to love,
He was himself so able to instruct me:
But I've discovered all.—

WARWICK.
And so have I;
Too well I know thy breach of friendship there,
Thy fruitless base endeavours to supplant me,

EDWARD.
I scorn it, sir,—Elizabeth hath charms,
And I have equal right with you t'admire them:
Nor see I ought so godlike in the form,
So all-commanding in the name of Warwick,
That he alone shou'd revel in the charms
Of beauty, and monopolize perfection.
I knew not of your love.

WARWICK.
By heav'n, 'tis false!
You knew it all, and meanly took occasion,
Whilst I was busy'd in the noble office,
Your grace thought fit to honour me withal.
To tamper with a weak unguarded woman,
To bribe her passions high, and basely steal
A treasure which your kingdom cou'd not purchase.

EDWARD.
How know you that? but be it as it may,
I had a right, nor will I tamely yield
My claim to happiness, the privilege,
To choose the partner of my throne and bed:
It is a branch of my prerogative.

WARWICK.
Prerogative!—what's that? the boast of tyrants:
A borrow'd jewel, glitt'ring in the crown
With specious lustre, lent but to betray,
You had it, sir, and hold it—from the people.

EDWARD.
And therefore do I prize it; I wou'd guard
Their liberties, and they shall strengthen mine:
But when proud faction and her rebel crew
Insult their sov'reign, trample on his laws,
And bid defiance to his pow'r, the people

In justice to themselves, will then defend
His cause, and vindicate the rights they gave.

WARWICK.
Go to your darling people then; for soon,
If I mistake not, 'twill be needful; try
Their boasted zeal, and see if one of them
Will dare to lift his arm up in your cause,
If I forbid them.

EDWARD.
Is it so, my lord,
Then mark my words: I've been your slave too long,
And you have rul'd me with a rod of iron,
But henceforth know, proud peer, I am thy master,
And will be so: the king, who delegates
His pow'r to other's hands, but ill deserves
The crown he wears.

WARWICK.
Look well then to your own;
It sits but loosely on your head, for know,
The man who injur'd Warwick never pass'd
Unpunish'd yet.

EDWARD.
Nor he who threaten'd Edward—
You may repent it, Sir,—my guards there—seize
This traitor, and convey him to the tow'r,
There let him learn obedience.
(Guards enter, seize Warwick, and endeavour to disarm him.

WARWICK.
Slaves, stand off:
If I must yield my sword, I'll give it him
Whom it so long has serv'd; there's not a part
In this old faithful steel, that is not stain'd

With English blood in grateful Edward's cause.
Give me my chains, they are the bands of friendship,
Of a king's friendship, for his sake a while
I'll wear them.

EDWARD.
Hence: away with him—

WARWICK.
'Tis well:
Exert your pow'r, it may not last you long;
For know, tho' Edward may forget his friend,
That England will not.—now, sir, I attend you.

[Exit Warwick.
EDWARD.
Presumptuous rebel—ha! who's here?