SCENE IV.--A CHAMBER IN CONSTANTIUS’ PALACE.
_Enter_ CONSTANTIUS _with a Groom_.
_Con._ Place here the light. Now hasten to the hall, And unto Vortigern present this ring, Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance. Tell him, I fain would see him in the morning. So, fair thee well; we now would be alone.
[_Exit Page._
O sleep, sweet nourisher of man and babe: Soother of every sorrow, that canst bury The care distracted mind in sweet oblivion,-- To thee, O gentle pow’r! I plight my soul! Here, then, on my bended knee, great God, Let me implore thy grace, and look for mercy! “Though thou hast plac’d me sovereign over men, “And on my temples bound the diadem; “Yet am I subject still to human frailty, “And nought can boast more than my meanest vassal.” How wisely fram’d is Nature’s glorious work: The smallest reptile doth its instinct boast; Ay, is as nicely form’d as man himself. Both doom’d to die, to rot, and come to dust. Yet man hath one great property besides,-- A never fading, an immortal soul! Upon that thought rest I my happiness.
[_Lies on the couch._
_Enter two Murderers._
_1st Mur._ “Oh! if one spot did sully his pure soul, “In heaven hath he wip’d it clean away, “With this his sweet, unfeigned oraison.
_2nd Mur._ “’Tis true. “The King to us hath ever been most kind: “’Twould have disgrac’d the name of murderer “Had we to death despatch’d him unprepar’d.
_1st Mur._ “Why, how now? “Hast thou forgot thine errand? “Wast sent here to prate thus, “Or to fulfil thy promise? “I’ll do’t; nor this my dagger will I sheath “Till reeking with his blood.
_2nd Mur._ “Yet, one moment, I pray thee, comrade.
_1st Mur._ “I tell thee, I will not: “For, as I am a man and soldier, “So will I scorn to break my promis’d vow.
_2nd Mur._ “Thou shall not yet; “For, statue like, here will I fix myself, “Till thou dost hear me out. “Oh! is’t not most manlike, that we stain “Our hands with blood that ne’er did us offend? “Is’t not most serpent-like, to sting sweet sleep, “Which even from the giant takes all strength, “And makes man taste of that which is to come? “Let us, I pray thee, friend, turn from the deed! “I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do’t.
_1st Mur._ “Coward! take hence that poor, unmanly frame, “Or this my steel shall work a double end.
_2nd Mur._ “Lay on, then! for I will defend the King, “And may the gods aid this my good design.”
[_They fight; 2nd Murderer dies behind the Scenes._
_The King awakes._
_Con._ “Vassal, I say! what means this bloody deed? “This bold intrusion on our royal presence? “Can majesty command no more respect; “But, that our very sleep must be disturb’d “With murder, rude and most licentious?
_Mur._ “Why, plainly then, I do not fear thy presence; “And to be brief with thee, thine hour is come!
_King._ “Traitor and villain, what wouldst thou?
_Mur._ “Nay then, an thou dost speak so rudely, “Take thy reward.
[_Stabs him._
_King._ “Oh! I die, sweet heaven receive my soul! “Forgive, oh! pardon this his crime! “I come! Bliss! bliss! is my reward for ever.
[_Dies._
_Mur._ “Farewell, good King! and thou my comrade too!” Hence on time’s wing will I to Vortigern, And this my two-edg’d work to him unfold.
[_Exit._