Queen.
O, Buckingham,
Thou comest, in Time, to save me from Distraction!

Buckin.
I come, the Witness of a Parliament,
Enrag'd!—

Queen.
Have they attainted him?—Is he, then,
Gone to Confinement?—That I see him not!—
Resolve me, as to Suffolk!—Oh, I know it!—
But,—if I live, They shall not have their Will!—
The King shall not be aw'd!—He shall release him.—
Fly, Buckingham:—Tell him, the Queen determines
To set him free!

Buckin.
How, alas! shall I inform you,
That on the first Alarm (ere, yet, his Exile
Was decreed)—

Queen.
His Exile?—But, he shall not go!—
Though, Twenty Times, they voted him, to Exile;
As often would I frustrate their Resolves!—

Buckin.
Madam;—dismay'd, He fled!

Queen.
How!—Fled?—Is he, then, gone?—

Perfidious Man!—Have I confided in him;
Heap'd Honours on him; studied his Promotion:—
And, would he not, a Moment, stay his Flight,
To bid Adieu!—

Buckin.
Did you but know the Whole;—
You would compassionate, not blame, the Duke!—

Queen.
I should detest him, more!—There is no Faith
In Man!—Excuse him not.—Not stay, to thank me?—
Not, once, advise with me?—Did the Wretch fear,
I would betray him?—Or, does he imagine,
I have no Power?—No Sense of Gratitude?—
No Resentment?—But; I will bring him back!—
Yes!—I will call the Traitour, home!—Reproach him,
To his Face!—Disgrace him!—Meditate his Ruin!—
Joyn with his Foes!—And, give him up, to Death!—
Of This,—assure him, when you write.
  And now, my Lord, return, to assist our Friends:
And, by your firm Adherence to our Interests,
Merit the Favour, forfeited by Suffolk.

Buckin.
I could acquit him, to your Majesty;—
But that, I fear, Alas—

Queen.
Acquit him, then!

Buckin.
O, hear with Patience, what you, soon, must hear!
  Dreading, the People's Rage; he strove to escape:—
But,—far, he row'd not, down the Thames; when, some
Of the distracted Multitude (vowing Revenge,
On Gloucester's Murderers) attack'd his Barge!—

Queen.
And, how has he escap'd?

Buckin.
And murder'd him!—

Queen.
Support me!—

Buckin.
Oh, call up all your Resolution!—shew
Your Fortitude!—And be not overcome!—
Or, We are lost;—Your Self is lost:—Quite ruin'd!—
Your Enemies will catch at this Advantage,
To estrange you from the King;—to take your Life!

Queen.
My Life!—It is imbitter'd!—Let them take it!—
I am, allready, lost!—Estranged from Happiness!—
Regardless of my Self; what Concern have I
For others?—Perish, who will!—Alass,
I rave!—The Sport offrantick Passion!—
Yet,—Buckingham; misconstrue not my Weakness:
It is, all Gratitude!—
To Suffolk, do I owe my Greatness!—
To Suffolk, I unbosom'd every Care!—
My Crown, without him, is a glittering Burden!
  O, Dear-bought, late, Experience!—Gloucester, dead,
Is more my Foe, more powerfull, than living!

Buckin.
Suppress your Grief:—See, York and Salisbury.—Try
If, on Them you can prevail: While I
Dispose the King—

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