The Earl of Ess.e.x.
by Henry Jones.
REMARKS.
This tragedy was dedicated to the Earl of Chesterfield, who was the author"s patron, and who, it is supposed, a.s.sisted him in the composition of the work.
There are two tragedies under the t.i.tle of "The Earl of Ess.e.x;" but the following, by Henry Jones, brought upon the stage in 1753, was most favourably received, and became very attractive.
The dramatist, who founds his plot and incidents on history, generally adds, from his invention, those scenes, which best describe the power of love. Here it has been otherwise, at least in the character of the queen; whom every distinguished historian has portrayed as more enamoured of her favourite Ess.e.x, than even this play will exhibit.
The character of Ess.e.x is sustained with greater accuracy:--the fiery quality of his temper; his alternate pride and humility, daring and servility, in presence of his royal mistress; with all his boisterous vows of loyalty to her; and tender oaths of love to another.
The few characters which compose this drama, all claim an interest with the reader, were it but from their mere names. The great Sir Walter Raleigh is of the least importance among the dramatic group; and yet his appearance causes an a.s.sociation of ideas, that makes every line he utters valuable, for the sake of his reputation, and his impending misfortunes.
The admirers of Shakspeare will likewise feel a double concern in the fate of the Lord Southampton, whilst they recollect, that this zealous friend of Ess.e.x was the n.o.ble protector and benefactor of England"s most ill.u.s.trious bard.
The name of Burleigh sounds high as that of Elizabeth, for their glory was equal--but the name alone attaches to the present character; for the great Cecil, by the wisdom of whose measures England was, at the period of this play, in its highest prosperity, died about two years previous to the death of Ess.e.x; and this, his son, became the unhappy earl"s bitterest foe.
Not even a female character is here introduced from fiction.--Rutland and Nottingham are both well known in history; and though the cruel incident of the ring is not attested by any historian, it is minutely related by them all.
But whether her majesty gave the unfortunate hero of this tragedy a ring or not, it is most certain that she gave him a blow; and of all the proofs of love which she bestowed upon him, this surely cannot be numbered amongst the least.
It is extraordinary, that the present play, having introduced this singular occurrence, should omit the particular sentence which Ess.e.x uttered on the memorable occasion.--History says, that he laid his hand on his sword, and told Elizabeth, "he would not have taken such treatment from her father, Henry the Eighth."--But, as a man of true gallantry, the Earl should not have felt himself offended at a woman"s anger; which experience must have told him, was the certain mark of concealed tenderness. His reply had been most excellent had it been delivered with smiles instead of frowns; but to have recourse to his sword, was acting like a novice in the art of love; and resenting an affront, when he should have acknowledged a favour.
As that love which is expressed by indirect means, has often the greatest hold upon the attention and sympathy of the spectator; so, many an auditor and reader will feel more interest in the restrained affection of Elizabeth for her paramour, than in the unbridled fondness of Rutland for her husband.--The scene, where the queen bestows the ring, as a pledge of her kindest regard for his safety, is peculiarly affecting, because the strength of her pa.s.sion is there discoverable, under a demeanour properly dignified; and all violent propensity, either to esteem or resentment, is strictly governed by the consideration of her own exalted rank.
In depicting the affliction, which the queen endured upon the execution of Ess.e.x, and more especially at the news that he had implored her mercy in vain, the dramatist has fallen infinitely below the historian. Hume relates, that when Nottingham, having in her last illness requested to see the queen, revealed her fatal secret, and entreated her majesty"s forgiveness, the queen shook the dying countess in her bed, and exclaimed--"G.o.d may forgive you, but I never will." The most dismal melancholy, as it is alleged, succeeded this rage.--But, from whatever cause, it is certain that an almost unheard-of despondency concluded the reign of this great princess, whose mind was masculine; and who, throughout her long career of government, never evinced one feminine weakness, which was not the effect of love, or of that vanity, which hoped to inspire the pa.s.sion.
At this era, in the short s.p.a.ce of two years, the hand of death s.n.a.t.c.hed from the court of Great Britain, all these its most remarkable personages--Ess.e.x, Nottingham, and the queen. It is probable, that the decease of the first, hastened that of the second, as well as of the last, character; for the countess"s remorse for political stratagem is reported to have been dreadfully severe.
The earl died in his thirty-fourth, and the queen in her seventieth year.--In a subject, her majesty"s unseasonable love might have formed a comic, instead of a tragic, drama.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
EARL OF ESs.e.x _Mr Holman._ SOUTHAMPTON _Mr Betterton._ BURLEIGH _Mr Murray._ RALEIGH _Mr Claremont._ LIEUTENANT _Mr Thompson._
QUEEN ELIZABETH _Mrs Pope._ LADY RUTLAND _Mrs Esten._ LADY NOTTINGHAM _Mrs Litchfield._
_SCENE,--London._
THE EARL OF ESs.e.x.
ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE I.
_An Antichamber in the Palace._
_Enter BURLEIGH and RALEIGH._
_Bur._ The bill, at length, has pa.s.s"d opposing numbers, Whilst crowds, seditious, clamour"d round the senate, And headlong faction urged its force within.
_Ral._ It has, my lord!--The wish"d-for day is come, When this proud idol of the people"s hearts Shall now no more be worshipp"d.--Ess.e.x falls.
My lord, the minute"s near, that shall unravel The mystic schemes of this aspiring man.
Now fortune, with officious hand, invites us To her, and opens wide the gates of greatness, The way to power. My heart exults; I see, I see, my lord, our utmost wish accomplish"d!
I see great Cecil shine without a rival, And England bless him, as her guardian saint.
Such potent instruments I have prepared, As shall, with speed, o"erturn this hated man, And dash him down, by proof invincible.
_Bur._ His day of glory now is set in night; And all my anxious hopes, at last, are crown"d.
Those proofs against him, Raleigh--
_Ral._ All arrived.
_Bur._ Arrived! how? when?
_Ral._ This very hour, my lord: Nay more, a person comes, of high distinction, To prove some secret treaties made by Ess.e.x, With Scotland"s monarch, and the proud Tyrone.
_Bur._ How say"st? to prove them?
_Ral._ Ay, my lord, and back"d With circ.u.mstances of a stronger nature.
It now appears, his secretary, Cuff, With Blunt and Lee, were deep concern"d in this Destructive scheme contrived to raise this lord, And ruin Cecil. Oh, it is a subtile, A deep-laid mischief, by the earl contrived In hour malignant, to o"erturn the state, And, horror to conceive! dethrone the queen!
_Bur._ These gladsome tidings fly beyond my hopes!
The queen will listen now, will now believe, And trust the counsel of her faithful Burleigh.
Dispose them well, till kind occasion calls Their office forth; lest prying craft meanwhile May tamper with their thoughts and change their minds: Let them, like batteries conceal"d, appear At once, both to surprise and to destroy.
_Ral._ His headstrong friend, the bold Southampton, too, Now finds his rash endeavours all defeated, And storms at thee, and the impeaching commons.
_Bur._ Let him rave on, and rage. The lion, in The toils entangled, wastes his strength, and roars In vain; his efforts but amuse me now.--
_Enter GENTLEMAN._
_Gent._ My lord, the Lady Nottingham desires, With much impatience, to attend your lordship.
_Bur._ What may the purport of her business be?
Her tender wishes are to Ess.e.x tied In love"s soft fetters, and endearing bands.-- Conduct her in. [_Exit GENTLEMAN._ And you, my Raleigh, watch Southampton"s steps; With care observe each movement of his friends; That no advantage on that side be lost.-- [_Exit RALEIGH._ Southampton"s Ess.e.x" second self; His daring heart, and bold, ungovern"d tongue, Are both enlisted in the rash designs Of this proud lord, nor knows a will but his: A limb so fix"d, must with the body fall.