Enter Gentleman.
Gent. Madam, the queen
Is in her closet, and desires to see you.
[Exit.
Bur. She wants, no doubt, to be advised by you.
Improve this fair occasion, urge it home.
Not. I know her foible. Essex long has had
An interest in her heart, which nothing can
O'erturn, except his own ungovern'd spirit:
It is, indeed, the instrument by which
We work, and cannot fail, if rightly used.
Bur. Madam, the queen expects you instantly.
I must withdraw, and wait the earl's arrival.
[Exeunt severally.
SCENE II
The Queen's Closet.
Queen Elizabeth discovered.
Qu. Eliz. Ill-fated, wretched man! perverse and obstinate!
He counterworks my grace, and courts destruction.
He gives his deadly foes the dagger to
Destroy him, and defeats my friendly purpose,
Which would, by seeming to abandon, save him.
Nor will he keep the mask of prudence on
A moment's space.—What! must I bear this scorn!
No: let me all the monarch re-assume;
Exert my power, and be myself again.
Oh, ill-performing, disobedient, heart!
Why shrink'st thou, fearful, from thy own resolve?