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Show PROGRAMMES OF BALLETS. 463 at liberty to love a woman who is wife to no man. Dudley informs him that there is an oath of fidelity between him and Elizabeth, and that no power shall tear her from him ; adding, that it would be better for Edward to take his life than commit this act of injustice against him. Edward, feeling himself insulted, threatens to punish Dudley for his outrageous conduct, and commands him to obey; the Earl appears somewhat surprised at the bold and haughty tone assumed by the King, yet he trembles with internal anger, and makes a certain gesture, which seems to indicate contempt on the royal power. Edward, unable to support this last insult, calls for his guards, and commands them to take the Earl into custody, threatening an exemplary punishment for the outrages he has committed. The Earl, beholding himself thus ignominiously treated, becomes furious ; with one terrible look he keeps off the guards who are about to disarm him ; he then advances towards Edward, and reproaches him with increased energy for thus rewarding all his services, and, throwing down his sword at Edward's feet, conjures him rather to sacrifice him upon the spot. As the guards are about to drag off Warwick-• S C E N E IV.-Elizabeth appears, and beholds the last action of Warwick's; she seems overpowered by grief and astonishment. She kneels at the feet of Edward, and entreats him to sacrifice her alone, since her love for Warwick is the cause of the present misfortune. Edward is deeply wounded at this avowal of Elizabeth ; jealousy takes possession of his breast, and he is deaf to her prayers. Warwick desires her to forbear entreating a monarch whose barbarous mind is incapable of any thing noble. Edward commands Dudley to be instantly imprisoned. The Earl departs in custody, yet though a |