University of Virginia Library

SCENA VI.

Queen, Sir Will. Stanly, Mrs. Stanly.
Queen.
Did you not mark, how his contracted brow
Did curle like Waves, which to a Tempest grow?

Sir W. Stan.
Madam, this gath'ring Storm (if not withstood)
Will end in a Prodigious Rain of Blood.

Queen.
Too well I know the Ills, these Signs presage;
This Storm on me, and mine will shortly rage.
How often, cruel man! must I be slain
In every Child, and yet not end my Pain?
Ere thou didst tear away each tender shoot,
Would thou hadst laid thy Hatchet to the Root!

Sir Will. Stanly.
Madam, he wants the Bowels of a Man,
Who sees your Grief, and does not all he can,
In your Redress: When you my Sword command,
'Twixt him, and yours I will a Bulwark stand.

Queen.
Sir, were your offer more, then complement,
I should such kindness to its worth resent:
But by his favours you are prepossest,
And wear the Tyrant's Chains, though not opprest.

Sir Will. Stan.
Those seeming favours, which he does impart,
Are no true marks of kindness, but of Art:
When he propitious to my Vows appears,
He does but sacrifice to his own Fears.

Queen.
Alas! I am not worth a new design
Of farther ruine: You need not combine
By subtle ways to draw me to my woe;
I am past falling now, I lye so low.

Sir Will. Stanly.
Let all in Heaven and Earth, who sacred be,
The great, and good, be Witnesses for me,
That I to you, and yours will loyal prove.

Queen.
Such ardent Zeal, and such a sudden Love
From him, who seem'd a Foe, must well be scan'd,
Ere they by Force of Words my Faith command.

Mrs. Stanly.
I know my brother's Int'rest, and his Heart:
His Passion wears no false disguise of Art.

Queen.
If his deep Vows, and those confirm'd by you,
Should move my willing heart to think them true;
What means has he from threatning Storms to free
The small remainder of my Familie?

Sir William Stanly.
None can be sav'd unless they first believe:
Madam the great deceiver I'le deceive.
You cannot see the depths of my design,
But you shall hear it when I spring the Mine.

Queen.
These mighty Promises advanc'd by you
Ask time for thanks, and for acceptance too.
[Exit Queen.