r hands!--Here on this spot I'll fix--
Here lose all sense. Still let me stretch these arms,
Inexorable queen!--He yet may live.
Oh, give him to my poor, afflicted heart!
One pitying look, to save me from distraction.

_Qu. Eliz._ I'll hear no more. I'm tortured--take her hence.

_Rut._ Nay, force me not away.--Inhuman wretches!
Oh, mercy, mercy!--Then to thee, good Heaven,
(My queen, my cruel queen, denies to hear me!)
To thee, for mercy bend.
Melt down her bosom's frozen sense, to feel
Some portion of my deadly grief, my fell
Distraction.--Turn, oh, turn, and see a wife,
A tortured wife----

_Qu. Eliz._ Why am I not obey'd?

_Rut._ Nay, do not thus
Abandon me to fell despair. Just Heaven,
That sees my sorrows, will avenge the wrong,
This cruel wrong--this barbarous tyranny. [_Forced off._

_Qu. Eliz._ Wedded to Rutland! Most unhappy pair!
And, oh, ill-fated queen! Never till now
Did sorrow settle in my heart its throne.
Recall my pledge of safety from his hands,
And give him up to death!--But life or death
To me is equal now.
Unhappy state, where peace shall never come!
One fatal moment has confirm'd my doom--
Turn'd all my comfort to intestine strife,
And fill'd with mortal pangs my future life! [_Exit._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

_A Room in the Tower._

_Enter RALEIGH and LIEUTENANT of the TOWER._

_Ral._ Their peers, with much indulgence, heard their plea,
And gave them ample scope for their defence;
But naught avail'd--their crimes were too notorious.
They bore their sentence with becoming spirit;
And here's the royal mandate for their deaths.--
The Lady Nottingham! What brings her hither?

_Enter LADY NOTTINGHAM._

_Not._ Lieutenant, lead me to the Earl of Essex,
I bring a message to him from the queen.

_Lieut._ He's with his friend, the brave Southampton, madam,
Preparing now for his expected fate.
But I'll acquaint his lordship with your pleasure. [_Exit._

_Ral._ What means this message? Does the queen relent?

_Not._ I fear she does;
Go you to court, for Cecil there expects you.
I've promised to acquaint him with what passes
'Twixt me and Essex, ere I see the queen.

_Ral._ Madam, I go. [_Exit._

_Not._ Now, vengeance, steel my heart!
Offended woman, whilst her pride remains,
To malice only, and revenge, will bow;
And every virtue at that altar sacrifice.
But se