"In this drama we see Elizabeth and Essex, a royal favorite and popular general, in love. He is barely thirty and Elizabeth is an aging woman; their love is an extraordinary paradox. Elizabeth delights in Essex the courtier and lover, but is jealous of Essex the military leader and hero. Her constant effort is to keep him quietly at Court under her control. Essex, the last of a proud family, loves the queen but longs for action, glory, and power. He longs to over throw Elizabeth's crafty, cautious statesmanship with his own heroic endeavors. Cecil and Raleigh plot to send Essex to Ireland, juggle him out of favor, and insultingly summon him home. He arrives with an army and the situation is resolved with extraordinary poignancy and power."--Publisher's description

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

[Is silent for a moment.] I cannot say it. You yourself must ask me, Mr Rowan.RICHARD.[With some vehemence.] Then that I expressed in those chapters and letters, and in my character and life as well, something in your soul which you could not-pride or scorn?BEATRICE.Could not?RICHARD.[Leans towards her.] Could not because you dared not. Is that why?BEATRICE.[Bends her head.] Yes.RICHARD.On account of others or for want of courage-which?BEATRICE.[Softly.] Courage.RICHARD.[Slowly.] And so you have followed me with pride and scorn also in your heart?BEATRICE.And loneliness.[She leans her head on her hand, averting her face. RICHARD rises and walks slowly to the window on the left. He looks out for some moments and then returns towards her, crosses to the lounge and sits down near her.]RICHARD.Do you love him still?BEATRICE.I do not even know.RICHARD.It was that that made me so reserved with you-then-even though I felt your interest in me, even though I felt that I too was something in your life.BEATRICE.You were.RICHARD.Yet that separated me from you. I was a third person, I felt. Your names were always spoken together, Robert and Beatrice, as long as I can remember. It seemed to me, to everyone...9BEATRICE.We are first cousins. It is not strange that we were often together.RICHARD.He told me of your secret engagement with him. He had no secrets from me; I suppose you know that.BEATRICE.[Uneasily.] What happened-between us-is so long ago. I was a child.RICHARD.[Smiles maliciously.] A child? Are you sure? It was in the garden of his mother's house. No? [He points towards the garden.] Over there. You plighted your troth, as they say, with a kiss. And you gave him your garter. Is it allowed to mention that?BEATRICE.[With some reserve.] If you think it worthy of mention.RICHARD.I think you have not forgotten it. [Clasping his hands quietly.] I do not understand it. I thought, too, that after I had gone... Did my going make you suffer?BEATRICE.I always knew you would go some day. I did not suffer; only I was changed.