ENGLAND PRESERVED; A TRAGEDY. IN FIVE ACTS. AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. BY GEORGE WATSON, Esq. ENGLAND PRESERVED. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE 1. Gloucester. A Hall. Flourish. Enter the LORD PROTECTOR and CHESTER. Prot. Thus far, 'tis well. Gloucester hath op'd her gates Most opportunely for the prince. We here Awful and deep, foreboder of a storm Ches. Let the storm burst; we'll brave it's fullest rage, My Lord Protector-still I cry to arms! Nursed in the lap of war, and trained from youth To scourge the infidels, contemn the French, Old Chester's blood revolts against these Franks, Thou might'st as well command the lonely pine, To stop the blast, and roll it back to heaven, Too long to riot and rebellion loosed, Hath lost for ever all her ancient pride. Prot. And yet to England's pride shall Pembroke trust. If that should fail me, welcome then despair; I still must trust thee when thou'rt least thyself. Ches. But should'st thou, in those treacherous bosoms, plant Remorse Prot. Why then our happy isle is saved, Then, as the rocky bulwark of our isle, Should we, one people, owning but one cause, Ches. By heaven's own light! I venerate thy zeal. I'll take the hazard of such goodly plans. [Distant shouts. Prot. Ha!-Busy are the times, each moment claims Exertion. To my sacred charge, the prince- alarm. Exit. Prot. (Alone.) What more than mortal powers my station claims! Shaken by age, I totter with its weight; I still must serve her, till death close the scene. And not misfortune, cause of discontent. now Re-enter CHESTER. Ches. Arms are abroad. Descending to the plain, A force is-spied along the neighbouring heights, With many a banner streaming to the wind, Whose bearings cannot yet be justly traced. Prot. The strength of France is now at Dover Castle, |