 | Edward and Eleonora |  |
SCENE IV.
Theald, Gloster; to them Prince Edward wounded in the Arm, and dragging in the Assassin.Edward.
Detested Wretch! And does the Prince of Jaffa
Send base Assassins to transact his Treaties?
There—take thy Answer, Ruffian!
[Stabs him with the Dagger he had wrested from him.
Blow too hasty!
I should have sav'd thee for a fitter Death.
Assassin.
I would have triumph'd, Christian, in thy worst.
For know, thou vile Destroyer of the Faithful!
That tho' my erring Dagger miss'd thy Heart,
Yet has it fir'd thy Veins with mortal Poison,
Whose very touch is Death—Allah be prais'd!
O glorious Fate! Prophet, receive my Soul!
[Dies.
Edward,
after a short Pause.
Why stare you pale Amazement on each other?
Are we not Men, to whom the various Chance
Of Life is known?
Gloster.
Ha! Poison! did he say?
9
O fatal Wound to England!
Theald.
Quick, my Lord,
Retire, and have it drest, without delay;
Ere the fell Poison can diffuse its Rage,
And deeply taint your Blood.
Edward.
The Princess comes!
O save me from her Tenderness!
| Edward and Eleonora | |