Unhappily, an attachment was formed between the handsome Charles Blount and the Lady Penelope, the sister of Essex. She was, however, under the guardianship of what was then called the Court of Wards. She was, therefore, forced to marry Lord Rich. The result was melancholy; and she became henceforth the mistress of the brave, but unhappy, Blount, now Lord Mountjoy, and their connection was well known. On the death of Rich, the guilty pair were married by Laud, then Bishop of London. King James, on that occasion, said to Mountjoy, “You have married a fair woman with a foul heart.” Perhaps he was too severe in his judgment, yet the gallant Mountjoy felt the opprobrium. His worldly prospects were marred by the union; so long as the attachment with Lady Penelope had been merely understood, the world had received her, and honoured him; but, when they were married, the guilty pair were slighted and contemned. “However bitter the cup of duty may be, duty commands us to drink it even to the dregs.”[235] The sentiment is just, and Mountjoy felt it so. His error was redeemed by suffering. He died, it is said, of a broken heart, having long pined away under neglect and mortification.[236] Footnote 235: Hartley Coleridge. Footnote 236: Ibid--Note. To the Lady Penelope, the survivor of this sad romance, Ford addressed his “Fame’s Memorial.” Mountjoy’s great valour in Ireland--of which he was the true conqueror--had won him undying renown. His domestic life touched the young poet’s feelings; and upon it he wrote his tragedy of the “Broken Heart.” _Penthea’s_ lamentation for her “enforced marriage” recalls, in that exquisite play, poor Lady Penelope’s story:-- "_Penthea._--How, Orgilus, by promise I was thine The heavens do witness! . . . . . How I do love thee Yet, Orgilus, and yet, must best appear In tendering thy freedom. . . . . . Live, live happy-- Happy in thy next choice. And oh! when thou art married, think on me With mercy, not contempt! I hope thy wife, Hearing my story, will not scorn my fall. Now let us part."