_South._ In life's first spring, Our green affections grew apace and prosper'd; The genial summer swell'd our joyful hearts, To meet and mix each growing fruitful wish. We're now embark'd upon that stormy flood, Where all the wise and brave are gone before us, E'er since the birth of time, to meet eternity. And what is death, did we consider right? Shall we, who sought him in the paths of terror, And faced him in the dreadful walks of war, Shall we astonish'd shrink, like frighted infants, And start at scaffolds, and their gloomy trappings? _Essex._ Yet, still I trust long years remain of friendship. Let smiling hope drive doubt and fear away, And death be banish'd far; where creeping age, Disease, and care, invite him to their dwelling. I feel assurance rise within my breast, That all will yet be well. _South._ Count not on hope-- We never can take leave, my friend, of life, On nobler terms. Life! what is life? A shadow! Its date is but the immediate breath we draw; Nor have we surety for a second gale; Ten thousand accidents in ambush lie For the embody'd dream. A frail and fickle tenement it is, Which, like the brittle glass that measures time, Is often broke, ere half its sands are run. _Essex._ Such cold philosophy the heart disdains, And friendship shudders at the moral tale. My friend, the fearful precipice is past, And danger dare not meet us more. Fly swift, Ye better angels, waft the welcome tidings Of pardon to my friend--of life and joy! _Enter LIEUTENANT._ _Lieut._ I grieve to be the messenger of woe, But must, my lords, entreat you to prepare For instant death. Here is the royal mandate, That orders your immediate execution. _Essex._ Immediate execution! what, so sudden?-- No message from the queen, or Nottingham! _Lieut._ None, sir. _Essex._ Deluded hopes! Oh, worse than death! Perfidious queen! to make a mock of life! My friend--my friend destroy'd! Why could not mine-- My life atone for both--my blood appease? Can you, my friend, forgive me? _South._ Yes, oh yes, My bosom's better half, I can.--With thee, I'll gladly seek the coast unknown, and leave The lessening mark of irksome life behind. With thee, my friend, 'tis joy to die!--'tis glory! For who would wait the tardy stroke of time? Or cling like reptiles to the verge of being, When we can bravely leap from life at once, And spring, triumphant, in a friend's embrace? _Enter RALEIGH._ _Ral._ To you, my Lord Southampton, from the queen, A pardon comes; your life her mercy spares. _Essex._ For ever blest be that indulgent power Which saves my friend! This weight ta'en off, my soul Shall upward spring, and mingle with the bless'd. _South._ All-ruling Heavens! can this--can this be just? Support me! hold, ye straining heart-strings, hold, And keep my sinking frame from dissolution! Oh, 'tis too much for mortal strength to bear, Or thought to suffer!--No, I'll die with thee! They shall not part us, Essex!