Elizabeth The Queen: A Play In Three Acts

Front matter

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COLLEGE AVENUE

‘By MaxwELL ANDERSON

Act One

SCENE I SCENE: e4 entrance hall before a council chamber in the palace at Whitehall. The entrance to the council room is closed and four Guarps with halberds stand at either side.’ eA small door at the left of the entrance is also shut. It is early morning. The guards stand immobile.

FIRST GUARD

The sun’s out again, and it’s guineas to pounds the earl comes back this morning.

SECOND GUARD ll be glad of it, for one. You get nothing but black looks about the court when he’s away.

FIRST GUARD You'll get little else now he’s back, my bully. They quarrelled too far for mending, this time.

‘THIRD GUARD

Tut! They quarrel no more than the cock with the hen. The earl’s been sick. 3

4 ELIZABETH THEJOUEEN

FIRST GUARD Sick of the queen’s displeasure. It’s a disease a favorite can die of, and many have.

FOURTH GUARD He’s no sicker of her displeasure than she of his, if a man may judge. Once the earl’s gone there’s no dancing, no plays, no feasting . . . nothing to do nights but sleep. The very scullery-maids grow cold, and go to bed alone; like the queen.

FIRST GUARD

There are some even a scullery-maid would seldom kiss, save in moments of great excitement. Poor Wat looks forward to feast nights.

FOURTH GUARD I’ve had my luck.

FIRST GUARD

You’ve had what was coming to you. Mucklemouth

Jean, of the back kitchen.

FOURTH GUARD You'd have been glad of her yourself if you could have had her.

FIRST GUARD

Consider, man. She may not have been true. When she wouldn’t play with you, mayhap she was playing with somebody else. And if the queen could live without her Earl of Essex, it may have been because Sir Walter had a new suit of silver armor.

THIRD GUARD

And there’s a handsome man.

FOURTH GUARD

God defend me from speaking lightly of the queen !

FIRST GUARD

Eh? God defend you? Let no man accuse me of speaking lightly of the queen, nor of any other woman

. unless she be a light woman, in which case, God defend me, I will speak lightly of her if I choose.

THIRD GUARD

What say you of the queen ?

FIRST GUARD Of the queen ? I say she is well-known to be the virgin queen, I say no more.

SECOND GUARD

But do you think she is a virgin ?

FIRST GUARD

She has doubtless been a virgin, bully, for all women have been virgins, but the question is: First, when . . and, second, where ?

SECOND GUARD

Where ?

FIRST GUARD

Where, bully, where ?

THIRD GUARD Would you not say, in the proper place ? FIRST GUARD

No. I would not say in the proper place. Because it is hard to say if there is a proper place wherein to be a virgin . . . unless it be in church, and, God defend me, I do not go to church.

SECOND GUARD You do not go to church ?

FIRST GUARD No, for my sins, I do not go to church . . . or, if you like, I do not go to church for my sins.

SECOND GUARD Does it follow that the church is a proper place for virgins ?

FIRST GUARD It does. Did I not tell you I do not go there for my sins ?

FOURTH GUARD

They say the queen’s getting to be an old woman but I swear she looks younger than my wife, whom I married a young thing, six years come Easter.

THIRD GUARD

It would age a girl fast, just the look of you.

FIRST GUARD As for the queen, powder and paint accounts for some of it. To say nothing of the earl. A young lover will do much for a lady’s face.

FOURTH GUARD Now God defend me. . .

FIRST GUARD Aye, aye . . . God defend poor Wat. [-4 NoBLEMAN enters in silver armor. It is SiR WALTER RALEIGH, xo other. ] RALEIGH Has the queen come forth yet ?

FIRST GUARD No, Sir Walter.

RALEIGH The Earl of Essex . . . is he here ?

FIRST GUARD No, my lord.

RALEIGH

When he comes send me word. I shall be in the north corridor. [He turns.]

FIRST GUARD Good, my lord. [PENELOPE Gray comes in from the right, passing through. | RALEIGH [<Mfeeting her] Greetings, lady, from my heart.

Good-morrow, lord, from my soul.

I take my oath in your face that you are rushing to the window to witness the arrival of my lord of Essex.

And in your teeth I swear Iam on no such errand . but only to see the sun-rise.

The sun has been up this hour, my dear.

The more reason to hurry, gracious knight.

RALEIGH Do you think to pull the bag over my head so easily, Penelope? Ona day when the earl returns every petticoat in the palace is hung with an eye to pleasing him. Yours not the least.

PENELOPE I deny him thrice.

I relinquish you, lady. Run, run to the window! He will be here and you will miss him !

PENELOPE Is there a lady would run from Sir Walter in his silver suiting ? Since the sun is up . . . I have no errand. RALEIGH

Is there no limit to a woman’s deception, wench ? Would you go so far as to appear pleased if I kissed you ?

And no deception. [He kisses her.] I call the Gods to witness . . . did I not blush prettily ?

And meant it not at all. Tell me, did the queen send you to look out the casement for news of her Essex, or did you come at the prompting of your heart ?

PENELOPE Shall I tell you the truth ?

RALEIGH Verily.

PENELOPE

The truth is I cannot answer.

RALEIGH Both, then ?

PENELOPE Both or one or neither.

RALEIGH Fie on the baggage.

Is it not a virtue to be close-mouthed in the queen’s service ?

RALEIGH If you kept the rest of your person as close as your mouth what a paragon of virtue you would be !

Indeed, my lord, I am.

Indeed, my lady ? Have there not been certain deeds on dark nights ?

IO ELIZABETH THE QUEEN PENELOPE

Sh! Under the rose.

RALEIGH

Meaning under covers. . .

Fie on my lord, to make me out a strumpet !

It is my manner of wooing, fair maid! I woo by suggestion of images. . .

PENELOPE Like small boys on the closet wall. . .

RALEIGH Like a soldier. . .

PENELOPE Aye, a veteran . . . of encounters. . . RALEIGH

I will have you yet, my love; I will take lessons from this earl. . .

PENELOPE Take this lesson from me, my lord: You must learn to desire what you would have. Much wanting makes many a maid a wanton. You want me not... nor I you. You wear your silver for a queen. [ed Captain enters from the left.]

CAPTAIN

Good-morrow, Sir Walter. Is the queen still under canopy ?

ELIZABETH THE QUEEN he

RALEIGH I know not.

CAPTAIN

The earl is here and would see her.

RALEIGH Bid him hurry if he wishes to find her abed as usual.

She is dressed and stirring, captain, and awaits my lord.

RALEIGH And many another fair maid awaits him likewise, captain. Take him that message from me. Run, girl, run. Tell the queen. [The Cartan goes out left.]

[Going] You make yourself so easily disliked. [She goes right. CrciL enters, passing her.]

He is here ?

RALEIGH

So. The heavenly boy, clad in the regalia of the sun, even now extracts his gallant foot from his golden stirrup and makes shift to descend from his heaving charger. Acclamation lifts in every voice, tears well to every eye . . . with the exception of mine, perhaps, and yours, Lhope. ..-

CECIL I am at a pass to welcome him, myself. This Elizabeth i ELIZABETH THE QUEEN of ours can be difficult on her good days . . . and there have been no good ones lately. [Two Men-at-Arms enter with silver armor in their arms. | RALEIGH And what is all this, sirrah ?

FIRST MAN Armor, my lord.

RALEIGH For whom ?

FIRST MAN We know not.

RALEIGH Now by the ten thousand holy names! Am I mistaken, Robert, or is this armor much like my own ? CECIL

Very like, I should say. Is it sterling ?

And the self-same pattern. Has the earl gone lunatic ?

CECIL He means to outshine you, perhaps. RALEIGH Has it come to this? Do I set the style for Essex ? That would be a mad trick, to dress himself like me ! [Bacon appears in the doorway at right.] What do you know of this, Sir Francis ? BACON Greeks, my lord, bearing gifts.

To hell with your Greeks! The devil damn him! This is some blackguardry ! [Iwo more MEN-at-ARMs enter, carrying armor. ] There’s more of it! Good God, it comes in bales ! I say, who’s to wear this, sirrah ? Who is it for ? [Essex enters from corridor between the two files of soldiers, pushing them aside as he does so, and crosses to right of RALEIGH, speaking as he enters.]

Their name is legion, Sir Walter. Happily met !

Felicitations on your effulgence, sir !

You’re more splendid than I had imagined ! News came of your silver

Even in my retreat! I was ill, and I swear it cured me !

You should have heard the compliments I’ve heard

Passed on you! Sir Walter’s in silver! The world’s outdone

They said — the moon out-mooned. He gleams down every corridor

And every head’s turned after him. The queen

Herself has admired it —the design — the workmanship !

There’s nothing like it this side of Heaven’s streets.

And I said to myself — the great man — this is what we have needed —

More silver everywhere — oceans of silver !

Sir Walter has set the style, the world will follow.

So I sent for the silver-smiths, and by their sweat

Here’s for you, lads, tailored to every man’s measure —

Shall Raleigh wear silver alone ? Why, no,

The whole court shall go argent !

14 ELIZABETH THE OQUREN

Take care, my lord.

I bear insults badly.

ESSEX And where are you insulted ?

For the queen’s service you buy you a silver armor. In the queen’s service I buy you a dozen more. A gift, my friends, each man to own his own, As you own yours. What insult ?

RALEIGH Have your laugh, Let the queen and court laugh with you! Since you are envious You may have my suit. I had not thought even Essex Bore so petty a mind.

ESSEX I misunderstood you Perhaps, Sir Walter. I had supposed you donned Silver for our queen, but I was mistaken .. . Keep these all for yourself. The men shall have others...

Some duller color.

I have borne much from you Out of regard for the queen, my lord of Essex.

And I from you.

By God...

You have forgotten, Sir Walter, A certain appointment .. .

And you will bear more, by Heaven! ...

CECIL He is going to the queen, Remember. And we have an errand.

You presume to protect me, Master Secretary ?

I protect you both, and our mistress. There can be no quarrelling here.

That’s very true. Let us go. [Cecit and RaLziIcH go out right.]

BACON And this armor ? What becomes of it ?

ESSEX I have given it.

Would you have me take it back ?

There has seldom been A man so little wise, so headstrong, but he Could sometimes see how necessary it is

To keep friends and not make enemies at court. But you . . . God knows.

ESSEX Let him make friends with me.

He may need friends himself. [To the Guarps | These are your armors.

Keep them, wear them, sell them, whatever you like .. . Or your captain directs you.

FIRST GUARD We thank you. [They retire to examine the armor. |

BACON You are going to the queen ?

ESSEX Yes. God help us both!

BACON Then hear mea moment. . .

ESSEX Speak, schoolmaster, I knew it was coming. You’ve been quiet too long.

BACON Listen to me this once, and listen this once To purpose, my lord, or it may hardly be worth My while ever to give you advice again Or for you to take it. You have enough on your hands

Without quarrelling with Raleigh. You have quarrelled with the queen

Against my judgment. . .

ESSEX God and the devil! Can a man Quarrel on order or avoid a quarrel at will ?

Why certainly, if he knows his way.

ESSEX Not I.

BACON You quarrelled with her, because she wished to keep peace And you wanted war. . .

ESSEX We are at war with Spain !

But such a silly, frightened, womanish war As only a woman would fight. . .

BACON She is a woman and fights a womanish war; But ask yourself one question and answer it Honestly, dear Essex, and perhaps you will see then Why I speak sharply. You are my friend and patron. Where you gain I gain . . . where you lose I lose . And I see you riding straight to a fall today .. . And I’d rather your neck weren’t broken.

ESSEX Ask myself What question ?

Ask yourself what you want: To retain the favor of the queen, remain

Her favorite, keep all that goes with this, Or set yourself against her and trust your fortune To popular favor ?

ESSEX Ill not answer that.

BACON Then ... I have done.

ESSEX

Forgive me, dear friend, forgive me.

I have been ill, and this silly jackanapes

Of a Raleigh angers me with his silver mountings

Till I forget who’s my friend. You know my answer

In regard to the queen. I must keep her favor.

Only it makes me mad to see all this...

This utter mismanagement, when a man’s hand and brain

Are needed and cannot be used.

BACON Let me answer for you; You are not forthright with yourself. The queen Fights wars with tergiversation and ambiguities . . . You wish to complete your record as general, Crush Spain, subdue Ireland, make a name like Czxsar’s, Climb to the pinnacle of fame. Take care. You are too popular already. You have Won at Cadiz, caught the people’s hearts, Caught their voices till the streets ring your name Whenever you pass. You are loved better than The queen. That is your danger. She will not suffer

FRIZABETH THE QUEEN 19

A subject to eclipse her; she cannot suffer it. Make no mistake. She will not.

ESSEX And I must wait, Bite my nails in a corner, let her lose to Spain, Keep myself back for policy ?

BACON Even so.

ESSEX I come of better blood than Elizabeth. My name was among the earls around King John Under the oak. What the nobles have taught a king A noble may teach a queen.

BACON You talk- treason and death.

The old order is dead, and you and your house will die With it if you cannot learn.

ESSEX So said King John Under the oak, or wherever he was standing, And lictle he got by it, as you may recall. What the devil’s a king but a man, or a queen but a woman ?

BACON King John is dead; this is Elizabeth, Queen in her own right, daughter of a haughty line. There is one man in all her kingdom she fears And that man’s yourself, and she has good reason to fear you.

You’re a man not easily governed, a natural rebel,

Moreover, a general, popular and acclaimed,

And, last, she loves you, which makes you the more to be feared,

Whether you love her or not.

ESSEX I do love her! Ido!

My lord, a man as young as you —

ESSEX If she were my mother’s kitchen hag, Toothless and wooden-legged, she’d make all others Colorless.

BACON You play dangerously there, my lord.

ESSEX I’ve never yet loved or hated

For policy nor a purpose. I tell you she’s a witch — And has a witch’s brain. I love her, I fear her, I hate her, I adore her —

BACON That side of it you must know For yourself.

ESSEX I will walk softly — here is my hand. Distress yourself no more — I can carry myself.

Only count not too much on the loves of queens.

ESSEX I'll remember. [Ceci, and RaALeEiIcH reappear in the doorway at the right. RALEIGH is wearing ordinary armor and carries his silver suit. Essex looks at him, biting his lip.] Sir Walter, take care of your health !

My health, sir ?

ESSEX

[Going out. ] Wearing no silver, in this chilly weather.

RALEIGH [Tossing his silver armor into the pile| Put that with the others.

. FIRST GUARD

Are we to wear them, sir ?

No. Melt them down and sell the silver. And thus see for yourself how soon a fool is parted from his money. Take station in the outer hall and carry this trash with you.

FIRST GUARD Yes, sir. [The guards go out right. ]

[To Bacon] And you, sir, you are his friend. . .

BACON And yours, Sir Walter. . .

22 ELIZABE I THE QUEEN

It’s the first I’ve heard of it, but if you’re mine too, so much the better. Carry this news to him: his suits go to the melting-pot.

BACON Willingly, my lord, if I see him. You have done quite properly.

RALEIGH

I do not ask your commendation !

No, but you have it. [He bows low and goes out to left.]

There’s the viper under our flower, this Francis. He should be on the winning side.

He will be yet .

Like all wise men. For myself, I no longer Stomach Lord Essex. Every word he speaks Makes me feel queasy.

Then why put up with him ?

CECIL The queen, my friend, the queen. What she wants she will have, And she must have her earl.

Which does she love more, Her earl or her kingdom ?

CECIL Yes, which ? I have wondered.

Then you’re less sapient

Than [ve always thought you, Cecil. She loves her kingdom

More than all men, and always will. If he could

Be made to look like a rebel, which he’s close to be- Velie, ae

And she could be made to believe it, which is harder,

You'd be first man in the council.

And you would be?...

RALEIGH Wherever I turn he’s stood Square inmy way! My life long here at court He’s snatched honor and favor from before my eyes . . . Till his voice and walk and aspect make me writhe . . . There’s a fatality in it !

CECIL If he could be sent from England . . . we might have a chance To come between them.

RALEIGH Would she let him go?

CECIL No .. . but if he could be teased And stung about his generalship till he was Too angry to reflect. . . Suppose you were proposed As general for the next Spanish raid ?

RALEIGH He would see it, And so would she.

CECIL Then if you were named For the expedition to Ireland ?

RALEIGH No, I thank you.

He’d let me go, and I’d be sunk in a bog This next three hundred years. I’ve seen enough Good men try to conquer Ireland.

CECIL Then how would this be ?

We name three men for Ireland of his own supporters; He will oppose them, not wishing his party weakened Atthe court. Then we ask what he suggests And hint at his name for leader. . .

RALEIGH Good so far.

CECIL He will be angry and hint at your name; you will offer To go if he will.

RALEIGH No. Not to Ireland.

ELIZABETH THE QUEEN a5

CECIL Yes !

Do you think he’d let you go with him and share The military glory ? It will go hard, Having once brought up his name, if we do not manage To ship him alone to Dublin.

We can try it, then, Always remembering that no matter what Is said . . . no matter whatI say or you...

I do not go. You must get me out of that, By Christ, for I know Ireland.

CECIL I will. Be easy.

RALEIGH When is the council ?

CECIL At nine.

RALEIGH

You'll make these suggestions ?

CECIL If you'll play up to them.

RALEIGH Count on me. I must look after These silver soldiers.

CECIL At nine then.

RALEIGH Count on me. [They go out in opposite directions. ] CURTAIN