Qu. Eliz. No more! see that my orders be obey'd.
[Exit Burleigh.
Essex a traitor!—it can never be—
His grateful and his honest soul disdains it.—
Can he prove false? so high advanced, so honour'd,
So near my favour—and—I fear, so near
My heart!—Impossible.—This Burleigh hates him,
And, as his rival, therefore would destroy him;
But he shall find his narrow schemes defeated.
In vain their fraudful efforts shall combine
To shake my settled soul, my firm design;
Resolved to lift bright virtue's palm on high,
Support her grandeur, and her foes defy.
[Exit.
ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
An Antichamber in the Palace.
Enter Burleigh.
Bur. Essex arrived! Confusion to my hopes!
His presence will destroy me with the queen.
I much suspect he had some private notice,
Perhaps, a punctual order, to return.
He lurks too near her heart.—What's to be done?
Now is the important crisis—
Keep up thy usual strength, my better genius!
Direct my steps to crush my mortal foe.
Enter Queen Elizabeth and Raleigh.
Qu. Eliz. It cannot be! Return'd without my leave!
Against my strict command!—Impossible!
Ral. Madam, the earl is now at court, and begs
An audience of your majesty.
Qu. Eliz. Amazing!
What! break his trust! desert his high command,
Forsake his post, and disobey his queen!
'Tis false—invented all.—You wish it so.