Tannakin (Scene 12) Poem by John Fenton Mcleish

Tannakin (Scene 12)



scene 12
*
H.W
*
Henry wriothesley, earl of southhampton has been made a ward of elizabeth.As with edward, he is sent to live at burghley house.He is eight years old.
Edward has recovered from his wounds, except for his gammy arm.He has returned to his old haunts, touring london's inn's with fenton and the gang.
*
It is early morning.Anne is at the duck pond in the mansion grounds.She holds her baby daughter bridget in her arms.Henry is feeding the ducks by her side.She hears the sound of horses hooves rumbling from afar.She turns to see edward ride up to the mansion entrance.She takes henry's hand and hurries towards edward.Edwards gang remain mounted at the entrance.Only fenton dismounts.Edward hurries up the hall to burghley's treasury.The door is locked so he nods to fenton.Fenton kicks the door open.Edward enters the vault.Anne arrives, 'edward, what are you doing? 'She's visibly shaken.She knows edward is up to something.Edward doesn't respond.He motions to the chests full of gold.The servants respond.
'to the river, make haste'.When anne hears him say river she knows he's leaving for france.
'edward, your going to france aren't you? '.Edward walks past her and back down the hall to the entrance.Anne is still carrying bridget.
'I have been wronged anne', edward shouts.He stops, turns to face anne.'if i shall be deprived of my lands here, then i shall seek new lands elsewhere'.He turns around and continues walking out the door.Anne quickly follows after him.
'please edward', she begs, but edward pays no heed.She stops at the entrance and gives the children to the maid, then continues onto the drive after edward.Edward mounts his horse.Anne runs over to him, puts her arms around his leg and begs him not to go.He looks down at her with contempt.He kicks the horse and it bolts.He gallops away down the drive with his gang following.
Anne runs after him, calling to him, 'edward, please don't go'.He continues riding out of the gates and into the distance.Anne runs after him, begging him not to go.She stops.She is exhausted.She watches edward disappear over the horizon.He is gone.She lowers her head, drops her arms by her side and begins to sob.After several moments, she turns around and walks slowly back to the house.
*
*
*
// this poem may contain copying errors

READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success