Prefer to Nottingham a Rutland's charms?

Start not!—By Heaven, I tell you naught but truth,

What I can prove, past doubt; that he received

The lady Rutland's hand, in sacred wedlock,

The very night before his setting out

For Ireland.

Not. Oh! may quick destruction seize them!

May furies blast, and hell destroy their peace!

May all their nights——

Bur. I pray, have patience, madam!

Restrain a while your rage; curses are vain.

But there's a surer method to destroy him;

And, if you'll join with me, 'tis done—he falls.

Not. Ha! say'st thou, Burleigh! Speak, my genius, speak!

Be quick as vengeance' self to tell me how!

Bur. You must have heard, the commons have impeached him,

And we have proofs sufficient for his ruin.

But then the queen—you know how fair he stands

In her esteem; and Rutland, too, his wife,

Hath full possession of the royal ear.

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