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Show PROGRAMMES OF BALLETS. 455 his personal vanity flatters him that conquest is sure. In short, he at last makes the youthful widow an offer of his crown; upon this Elizabeth is reduced to a situation of peculiar distress. S C E N E II.--Edward gives a signal, when Suffolk appears, and the latter is immediately commanded to make preparations for the nuptial ceremony; while a kind of consent is drawn from Elizabeth. The latter, unable longer to resist the power of her feelings, appears on the point swooning, when an officer, entering hastily, announces the arrival of Dudley; the King is struck motionless by this news ; but Elizabeth gradually revives, and becomes animated by hope. Edward instantly countermands his orders, and prepares for an interview with Warwick ; he takes leave of the object of his affection, promising a speedy union. H e retires, gazing on her to the last with an air of disappointed affection. The mistress of Warwick now laments her unhappy fate, but places all her hope in the protection of the hero she adores. SCENE III.-The Port of London with the Quay. The Thames is covered with vessels, whose streamers are floating in the air. The Earl appears upon one of the most splendid of these ; while strains of military music celebrate the arrival of the English warrior. The people hasten in crowds to welcome him; warlike chiefs, his companions, surround the hero, but he alone is the object of universal attention and applause. The King, attended by his court and followed by part of his army, arrives, and advances even to the water side, to receive the Earl, to w h o m this reception is a kind of triumph, and he appears fully to enjoy his glorious 29* |