University of Virginia Library

SCENE the last.

ELIZABETH, WARWICK, EDWARD.
ELIZABETH.
O! give me way,
For I must see him—O! my Warwick!

WARWICK.
O!
This is too much, the bitterness of death
Is to be sever'd thus from those we love.

EDWARD.
Why wou'd you bring her here!

(to the attendants.)
WARWICK.
Elizabeth,
Be comforted.

ELIZABETH.
O no, it is my doom
Never to taste of joy or comfort more:
No; from this hateful world will I retire,
And mourn my Warwick's fate, imploring heav'n
That I may soon wear out my little store
Of hopeless days, and join thee in the tomb.

WARWICK.
That must not be: I've done my friend a wrong,
And only thou can'st make atonement for it.
Thy hand, Elizabeth, if e'er thou lov'st,
Observe me now—thine, Edward—for my sake
Cherish this beauteous mourner, take her from me,
As the last present of a dying friend.

EDWARD.
If ought cou'd make the precious gift more dear,
It wou'd be Warwick, that it came from thee.
O! I will guard her with a parent's care,
From every ill, watch over and protect her;
And when the memory of thee shall awake,
As oft it will, her poignant griefs, repel
The rising sigh, wipe off the flowing tear,
And strive to charm her to forgetfulness.

WARWICK.
Wilt thou indeed? then I shall die in peace.

ELIZABETH.
Yet thou may'st live.

WARWICK.
Impossible:—I feel
The hand of death press cold upon my heart,
And all will soon be o'er:—I've liv'd to save
My falling country, to repent my crimes,
Redeem my honour, and restore my king.

EDWARD.
Alas! my friend, the memory of thee
Will poison every bliss.

WARWICK.
All-healing time
That closes ev'ry wound, shall pour it's balm
O'er thine.—mean-while, remember Warwick's fate.—
I gave my word to Margaret, and broke it;
Heav'n is not to be mock'd, it soon o'ertakes us,
And in our crime we meet our punishment.
O Edward, if thou hop'st that length of days,
And fair prosperity shall crown thy wishes,
Beware of passion, and resentment—make
Thy people's good and happiness thy own,
Discourage faction, banish flatt'rers, keep
Thy faith inviolate, and reign in peace.
I can no more—my love! have mercy heav'n!

(dies.)
EDWARD.
He's gone!—

ELIZABETH.
And with him all my hopes of bliss.

EDWARD.
Let ev'ry honour to a soldier due,
Attend the hero to his tomb—mean-while,
Deep in the living tablet of my heart,
Will I engrave thy words—illustrious shade!
Living thou wert my counsellor and friend,
And dead I will remember, and obey thee.

ELIZABETH.
Warwick farewel, I shall not long survive thee.

EDWARD.
I hope thou wilt—Elizabeth, remember
His dying charge, think on thy promise giv'n.
Thou shall remain with me, with me lament
Our common benefactor; we will sit
And talk together of my Warwick's virtues,
For I will try to emulate them all,
And learn, by copying him, to merit thee.
His great example shall inspire my breast
With patriot zeal, shall teach me to subdue
The pow'r of faction, vanquish party rage,
And make me, what alone I wish to be,
The happy king of an united people.