 | The Earl of Westmorland |  |
SCENE I.
Osbert enters.Osbert.
What art thou, Time?
Thy many ages past, were once to come;
And now, are—nothing!—What thou art at present,
We cannot, if we would, retain—The morrow!
Ah, who would wait the coming of the morrow,
But that Hope bears him to some promised bliss,
That yesterday ne'er knew!—The morrow comes;
And, like its predecessors, merely serves
To count our cares—Where's he, who would recall
The happiest term of time once past, or wish
To plant it in the days of life to come?
But what is life to come, where hope comes not?—
Rowena, injured sanctity! in thee
The world is bankrupt; and for aught that's now
Contained beneath yon star-set canopy,
I reck not—For the rest—the dread hereafter!—
A life of guilt were haply best atoned,
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Of justice, and of honour!—Who attends?
Enter Officer.
Take this seal, soldier—go, and bow thee down
Before our noble captive; give him freedom,
Arms, and safe conduct to Saint Cyprian's Grove—
Say, we have business for a sword like his,
And wait him there.
[Exeunt severally.
| The Earl of Westmorland | |