University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

WARWICK, leaning on two soldiers.
WARWICK.
Where is he? lead me, lead me to my king.

EDWARD.
My Warwick! my preserver!—she shall bleed
For this in ev'ry vein.

WARWICK.
Think not of her,
She has no pow'r to hurt thee; and with guilt
Like hers, 'tis punishment enough to live:
This is no time for vengeance; death comes on
With hasty strides, 'tis but a little while,
A few short moments, and we part for ever.
My friend—

EDWARD.
I am not worthy of the name,
For I disgrac'd, dishonour'd, murther'd thee;
Edward's unkindness was the cause of all:
Can'st thou forgive me?

WARWICK.
O! may Warwick's crimes
Ne'er meet forgiveness from offended heav'n,
If from my soul, I do not pardon, love,
And honour thee!

EDWARD.
Away, let me support him;
'Tis the last office I shall e'er perform
For thee, my Warwick—wilt thou lean upon me
And seal my pardon with one kind embrace?

WARWICK.
We never hated.

EDWARD.
But my love was blind.

WARWICK.
And blinder my resentment.

EDWARD.
I forgot
Thy services.

WARWICK.
And I remember'd not
Thou wert my king—my sweet Elizabeth,
Where is she? Edward, do not keep her from me,
We are no rivals now.

EDWARD.
Shock'd at the news
Of thy untimely fate, she sunk beneath it,
And fainted in these arms; I seiz'd th'occasion,
And bade her weeping maidens bear her hence:
This would have been a dreadful sight indeed.

ELIZABETH.
without.
I can, I will, support it.

WARWICK.
Ha! that voice—
Sure 'tis Elizabeth's!