Leicester

(1794) - William Dunlap

Verse tragedy set in England, in which Leicester, an English nobleman, is deceived by his bride Matilda with Henry Cecil, whom she has represented as her brother. When Leicester, who has been away from home, returns unexpectedly, Matilda urges Cecil to kill him. At first, Cecil's nobler instincts reject the idea, but his passion for Matilda prevails and he agrees. Believing he is killing Leicester as he lies asleep in bed, Cecil mistakenly slays his own brother, for the latter, having befriended Leicester, had been sleeping in Leicester's room. Undaunted, Matilda then devises a plan to poison her husband, but forewarned, Leicester thwarts the plan, whereupon Matilda commits suicide. Cecil then challenges Leicester to a duel and impales himself on Leicester's sword.