Mary Stuart: A Tragedy Part 3

MARY (after a pause).

Sir, nothing can surprise me which a court Inspired by Burleigh's hate and Hatton's zeal, Howe'er unjust, may venture to p.r.o.nounce: But I have yet to learn how far the queen Will dare in execution of the sentence.

PAULET.

The sovereigns of England have no fear But for their conscience and their parliament.

What justice hath decreed her fearless hand Will execute before the a.s.sembled world.

SCENE III.

The same. MORTIMER enters, and without paying attention to the QUEEN, addresses PAULET.

MORTIMER.

Uncle, you're sought for.

[He retires in the same manner. The QUEEN remarks it, and turns towards PAULET, who is about to follow him.

MARY.

Sir, one favor more If you have aught to say to me--from you I can bear much--I reverence your gray hairs; But cannot bear that young man's insolence; Spare me in future his unmannered rudeness.

PAULET.

I prize him most for that which makes you hate him He is not, truly, one of those poor fools Who melt before a woman's treacherous tears.

He has seen much--has been to Rheims and Paris, And brings us back his true old English heart.

Lady, your cunning arts are lost on him.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

MARY, KENNEDY.

KENNEDY.

And dare the ruffian venture to your face Such language! Oh, 'tis hard--'tis past endurance.

MARY (lost in reflection).

In the fair moments of our former splendor We lent to flatterers a too willing ear;-- It is but just, good Hannah, we should now Be forced to hear the bitter voice of censure.

KENNEDY.

So downcast, so depressed, my dearest lady!

You, who before so gay, so full of hope, Were used to comfort me in my distress; More gracious were the task to check your mirth Than chide your heavy sadness.

MARY.

Well I know him-- It is the bleeding Darnley's royal shade, Rising in anger from his darksome grave And never will he make his peace with me Until the measures of my woes be full.

KENNEDY.

What thoughts are these--

MARY.

Thou may'st forget it, Hannah; But I've a faithful memory--'tis this day Another wretched anniversary Of that regretted, that unhappy deed-- Which I must celebrate with fast and penance.

KENNEDY.

Dismiss at length in peace this evil spirit.

The penitence of many a heavy year, Of many a suffering, has atoned the deed; The church, which holds the key of absolution, Pardons the crime, and heaven itself's appeased.

MARY.

This long-atoned crime arises fresh And bleeding from its lightly-covered grave; My husband's restless spirit seeks revenge; No sacred bell can exorcise, no host In priestly hands dismiss it to his tomb.

KENNEDY.

You did not murder him; 'twas done by others.

MARY.

But it was known to me; I suffered it, And lured him with my smiles to death's embrace.

KENNEDY.

Your youth extenuates your guilt. You were Of tender years.

MARY.

So tender, yet I drew This heavy guilt upon my youthful head.

KENNEDY.

You were provoked by direst injuries, And by the rude presumption of the man, Whom out of darkness, like the hand of heaven, Your love drew forth, and raised above all others.

Whom through your bridal chamber you conducted Up to your throne, and with your lovely self, And your hereditary crown, distinguished [Your work was his existence, and your grace Bedewed him like the gentle rains of heaven.]

Could he forget that his so splendid lot Was the creation of your generous love?

Yet did he, worthless as he was, forget it.

With base suspicions, and with brutal manners, He wearied your affections, and became An object to you of deserved disgust: The illusion, which till now had overcast Your judgment, vanished; angrily you fled His foul embrace, and gave him up to scorn.

And did he seek again to win your love?

Your favor? Did he e'er implore your pardon?

Or fall in deep repentance at your feet?

No; the base wretch defied you; he, who was Your bounty's creature, wished to play your king, [And strove, through fear, to force your inclination.]

Before your eyes he had your favorite singer, Poor Rizzio, murdered; you did but avenge With blood the b.l.o.o.d.y deed----

MARY.

And bloodily, I fear, too soon 'twill be avenged on me: You seek to comfort me, and you condemn me.

KENNEDY.

You were, when you consented to this deed, No more yourself; belonged not to yourself; The madness of a frantic love possessed you, And bound you to a terrible seducer, The wretched Bothwell. That despotic man Ruled you with shameful, overbearing will, And with his philters and his h.e.l.lish arts Inflamed your pa.s.sions.

MARY.

All the arts he used Were man's superior strength and woman's weakness.

KENNEDY.

No, no, I say. The most pernicious spirits Of h.e.l.l he must have summoned to his aid, To cast this mist before your waking senses.

Your ear no more was open to the voice Of friendly warning, and your eyes were shut To decency; soft female bashfulness Deserted you; those cheeks, which were before The seat of virtuous, blushing modesty, Glowed with the flames of unrestrained desire.

You cast away the veil of secrecy, And the flagitious daring of the man O'ercame your natural coyness: you exposed Your shame, unblushingly, to public gaze: You let the murderer, whom the people followed With curses, through the streets of Edinburgh, Before you bear the royal sword of Scotland In triumph. You begirt your parliament With armed bands; and by this shameless farce, There, in the very temple of great justice, You forced the judges of the land to clear The murderer of his guilt. You went still further-- O G.o.d!

MARY.

Conclude--nay, pause not--say for this I gave my hand in marriage at the altar.