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.

_Bur._ Madam, I wish some other rumours false;
Reports, I fear, of great concern to you.

_Qu. Eliz._ What rumours? what reports? your frown would much
Denote: your preface seems important.--Speak.

_Bur._ Some new commotions are of late sprung up
In Ireland, where the west is all in arms,
And moves with hasty march to join Tyrone,
And all his northern clans. A dreadful power!
Nay, more; we have advices from the borders,
Of sudden risings, near the banks of Tweed;
'Tis thought to favour an attempt from Scotland.
Meanwhile, Tyrone embarks six thousand men
To land at Milford, and to march where Essex
Shall join them with his friends.

_Qu. Eliz._ (_Apart._) In league with James!
And plotting with Tyrone! It cannot be.
His very pride disdains such perfidy.
But is not Essex here without my leave!
Against my strict command! that, that's rebellion.
The rest, if true, or false, it matters not.
What's to be done?--admit him to my presence?
No, no--my dignity, my pride forbid it.
Ungrateful man, approach me not; rise, rise,
Resentment, and support my soul! Disdain,
Do thou assist me--Yes, it shall be so.

_Bur._ I see she muses deep;
Tyrone's invasion wakes her fear and anger,
And all her soul is one continued storm.

_Qu. Eliz._ For once my pride shall stoop; and I will see
This rash, audacious, this once favour'd man;
But treat him as his daring crimes deserve.

_Enter SOUTHAMPTON._

_South._ [_Kneeling