Classic Poem

[SCENE XX.]

Here's thunder and lightning when the Queen comes in .

Enter Queen E LINOR and J OAN .

Q. Elinor . Why, Joan,
Is this the welcome that the clouds affords?
How dare these disturb our thoughts, knowing
That I am Edward's wife and England's Queen,
Here thus on Charing-Green to threaten me?
Joan . Ah, mother, blaspheme not so!
Your blaspheming and other wicked deeds
Hath caused our God to terrify your thoughts.
And call to mind your sinful fact committed
Against the Mayoress here of lovely London,
And better Mayoress London never bred,
So full of ruth and pity to the poor:
Her have you made away,
That London cries for vengeance on your head.
Q. Elinor . I rid her not; I made her not away:
By heaven I swear, traitors
They are to Edward and to England's Queen
That say I made away the Mayoress.
Joan . Take heed sweet lady-mother, swear not so:
A field of prize-corn will not stop their mouths
That say you have made away that virtuous woman.
Q. Elinor . Gape, earth, and swallow me, and let my soul
Sink down to hell, if I were autor of
That woman's tragedy! O, Joan, help, Joan,
Thy mother sinks!
Joan . O, mother, my help is nothing! — O, she is sunk,
And here the earth is new-closed up again!
Ah, Charing-Green, for ever change thy hue,
And never may the grass grow green again,
But wither and return to stones, because
That beauteous Elinor sunk on thee! Well, I
Will send unto the king my father's grace,
And satisfy him of this strange mishap.