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Show 452 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. of this illustrious Queen, the valour, policy, and conduct of Dudley rapidly advanced the interest of the Yorkists. They at length dethroned the reigning prince; and Henry, his Queen, and their son became the prisoners of Edward, who now ascended the throne. (Immediately after this epoch, the action of the following piece begins.) No sooner had Edward, with the aid of Warwick, effected his purpose, than the Earl departed for France, to conclude a treaty with the French King, Louis XI, and to obtain the hand of his sister* for Edward, who had consented to the match. This marriage was designed to establish firmly the English throne, and to procure a lasting and advantageous peace. During the absence of Dudley, Edwardbecame enamoured of the Lady Elizabeth, who was beloved by the Earl, and so warm was the King's passion that he promised to espouse her immediately. Thus love incited him to commit an act of ingratitude against his greatest benefactor. Upon the point of the celebration of this marriage, the Earl arrived, bearing declarations of peace, with a promise from the French King of bestowing his sister on Edward. The latter having otherwise engaged himself, rejected the proposal, and Dudley felt the injury deeply. He perceived himself scorned by the King and despised by the people, both of France and England. H e instantly searched for the cause of this sudden change in the King's conduct, and chance, aided by friends, instructed him in the whole proceeding. Upon this information the fury of the Earl became boundless, and he determined on means of the most terrible revenge. Edward, however, caused him to be arrested and thrown into prison; but the strength of his party, and the influence he had over the people, together with the advantage now taken by Margaret to recover the throne, effected the deliverance of Dudley, and exposed the false prince. Every circumstance seemed now to tend to the ruin of Edward; but the generous and exalted soul of Warwick, unwilling to take advantage of the weakness and ill-success of Edward's cause, induced him to rescue his prince from the hands of his enemies, and to confound their designs, thus adding another trait of generosity to immortalize his name. By his valour the Lancasterian party again sinks, and the former state of affairs is restored ; while the people quietly submit to the heroic chief they admire. Edward is abashed by this act of magnanimity ; he confesses * Bona of Savoy, sister of the Queen of Louis XI. |