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Even for them have I prepared honours:

For ere the moon shall twice have fill'd her orb,

Death shall provide for them a crown immortal!

Enter Servant.

SERVANT.

Two officers, my lord! await your leisure.

VORTIGERN.

Well, shew them to our presence.

Enter Murderers.

Have ye concluded,

Is your answer ready?

MURDERER.

We have consider'd all,

And on your promis'd bounty undertake

A speedy execution.

VORTIGERN.

You are agreed?

BOTH.

Yes, my good lord.

VORTIGERN.

Listen then awhile!

This night Constantius gives a feast at which

He wills I should be present, mark me well,

For I will give the signal, and retire.

Then tarry not, but do it on the instant.

MURDERER.

Fear not, my noble lord, we are resolv'd.

[Exeunt.

VORTIGERN.

Now then good King prepare thee for the worst.

For ere the thick and noisome air of night

Shall with damned Hecate's baneful spells be fill'd,

Thou must from hence to the cold bed of death,

To whom alike peasant and king are slaves.

Come then black night, and hood the world in darkness,

Seal close the hearts of those I have suborn'd,

That pity may not turn them from their purpose.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

A Chamber in CONSTANTIUS' Palace.

Enter CONSTANTIUS with a Groom.

CONSTANTIUS.

Here place the light, now hasten to the hall,

And unto Vortigern present this ring,

Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance,

Tell him I fain would see him in the the morning--

Farewel, good Page! I now would be alone.

[Exit Page.

O sleep, thou nourisher of man and babe!

Soother of every sorrow, that can'st bury

The care-distracted mind in sweet oblivion,

To thee, O gentle pow'r! I pawn my soul!

Here then, on my bended knee, great God,

Let me implore thy grace, and look for mercy;

"Though thou hast plac'd me sovereign over men,

"And on my brow hath fix'd a diadem;

"Yet am I subject still to human frailty,

"And naught can boast more than my meanest vassal."

How wisely hast thou fram'd thy work of nature,

Even the smallest reptile hath its instinct,

Aye, is as nicely form'd as man, himself.

Both too must die, both rot and come to dust.

Yet man hath one great property besides,

A never fading, an immortal soul!

Upon that thought I rest my happiness.

[Lies on the couch.

Enter two Murderers.

FIRST MURDERER.

"Oh! if one spot did fully his pure soul

"In heaven hath he wip'd it clean away,

"With this his sweet unfeigned oraison.

SECOND MURDERER.

"'Tis true--

"The King to us hath ever been most kind,

"We've serv'd and gained honours under him;

"'Twould have disgrac'd the name of Murderer

"Had we to cold death sent him unprepar'd.

"For e'en the rigid law itself allows

"To most crimes most daring, most atrocious,

"A time to pray, a time to ask for mercy.

FIRST MURDERER.

"Why how now?

Hast thou forgot thine errand,

"Wast sent here to prate thus,

"Or to fulfil thy promise?

"I'll do't, nor this thy dagger will I sheath

"'Till reaking with his blood.

SECOND MURDERER.

"Yet one moment I pray thee, comrade!

FIRST MURDERER.

"I tell thee I will not.

"For as I am a man and soldier,

"So will I scorn to break my promis'd vow.

SECOND MURDERER.

"Thou shalt not yet,

"For statue like, here will I fix myself

"Till thou dost hear me out.

"Oh! is't not most manlike, that we stain

"Our hands with blood that ne'er did us offend?

"Is't not most serpent like, to sting sweet sleep,

"Which even from the giant takes all strength,

"And makes man taste of that which is to come?

"Let us, I pray thee friend, turn from the deed!

"I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do't--

FIRST MURDERER.

"Coward, take hence that poor unmanly carcase,

"Or this my steel shall work a double end.

SECOND MURDERER.

"Lay on then! for I will defend the King,"

"And may the Gods aid this my good design."

[They fight, second Murderer dies behind the Scenes.

The King awakes.

CONSTANTIUS.

"Vassal, I say! what means this bloody deed?

"This bold intrusion in our royal presence?

"Can majesty command no more respect,

"But, that our very sleep must