Tragedies

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TRAGEDIES,

BY

WILLIAM SOTHEBY, ESQ.

Act I. Scene I

dntichamber of Rizzio's Apartment at Holy-rood, TJie Stage crowded with Courtiers and Suitors.

Two of Rizzio's Gentlemen Ushers.

1 Gent. Look how they press : their clamorous

noise confounds me.

All suitors ?

2 Gent. Yes — You are but new in office — J Tis ever thus : hither, at dawn of day.

All hasten, ere our Lord, high-honour'd Rizzio, Goes forth to greet his sovereign —

1 Suit, [Presenting a 'petition to the Gent. U.~\

Sir — 1 pray —

2 Suit My suit is—

3 Suit, And — sir — mine —

4 Suit, Hear, I beseech you —

2 Gent, Peace, sirs,, such clamour would awake the dead — Think you by thus outvoicing all the rest To gain respect ? You do forget yourself, Nor pay due honour to Lord Rizzio's state. This is no place for brawling—

1 Suit To your kindness Let me commend my suit: if you but whisper The name of Ronald to lord Rizzio's ears. Claim me for life your debtor —

2 Gent, Silence — silence !

Lord Rizzio comes —

[Folding doors flung open. On Rizzio's advance, all in silence low before him. After a pause, a Suitor speaks aside to the 2 Gent. Usher.]

1 Suit. Forget me not—

2 Gent. My lord, This much-deserving man —

Riz. [interrupting him.] I ask'd not of him— If justice urge his suit, 'tis freely granted, If not, who pleads his cause, bears my displeasure.

Courtiers. Freely command us.

Riz. [Aside,"] Worthless all— I know them — Deem they me proud r" 'tis their servility, And they must reap its bitter fruit — contempt. — I thank your zeal, and, I beseech you, sirs, Bear me not blame that I reject your service : My gracious sovereign's bounty far o'erpays His servant's utmost efforts.

Suitors, [presenting petition.'] Deign to cast On these our humble suits an eye of favour.

Biz. [to a servant.] Receive, and in my chamber duly place them.

They shall not be neglected — Our gracious sovereign will each wrong redress : Each merit recompense. — [Ruthven enters.

Earl Ruthven here ! 'Tis an unlock' d for honour —

Ruth. Bid these hence :

We must have secret conference.

Riz. My friends,

Retire ! [All but Rizzio and Ruthven depart.} — My

lord, I scarce can doubt the cause Which brings you at this hour to Rizzio's roof; Nor would I lightly hazard your displeasure : But, if your word — I mean not to offend— Breathe aught disloyal, aught that slightly touches The honour, peace, nay pleasure of my sovereign, Spare me the utterance —

Ruth. If to reconcile

Her father's son, the brother of her blood To his high-honour'd sovereign, if to bring The sigh of deep repentance to her ear, If to lay prostrate at her throne, the chieftain Whose power has strength to shake it, deem you this Disloyal or ungrateful, I will spare you Th J unwelcome utterance —

Riz. I entreat you, speak —

Ruth. I will not idly dwell upon the past ; Fierce feuds, and civil wars that long have fill'd

The realm with woe. — -Enough, that now Earl

Murray, Mov'd by just sense of his acknowledg'd error —

Riz. [interrupting .] His guilt — rebellion —

Ruth, To his sovereign's mercy

Submits, if Rizzio, by strong motives sway'd, Will plead in his behalf — -The hour's most urgent: This day, the council meet, the states, to-morrow : The ban and proclamation are gone forth ; Earl Murray must in person now appear, Answering the accusation, or await A traitor's doom. Your counsel, sir, all know it, Much moves the sovereign — Name your terms,

command them, Wealth, office, honours — Here we are alone- Take this rare gem, [offering a ring.] sure pledge of

Murray's friendship, And mine, and Morton's favour.

Riz. No, my lord ;

I will not touch that pledge — yet, would to heav'n That Rizzio's words had power to reunite The realm in bonds of peace ! But, how persuade The queen to look on Murray ? Tho' her soul Incline to mercy, yet, too freshly bleeds The wound inflicted by a brother's hand — Deep weighs upon her heart that day, when Murray, Her father's son, her once-lov'd brother, rais'd His arm in battle, from her realm to drive His sovereign, and with murderous hand unthrone The youth her soul adores.

Ruth. Rizzio, reflect,

Tho' keen your glance,, and vers'd in courtly ways. It cannot read the heart. Those worshippers. Light flutterers in life's sunshine, on whose lip Insidious flattery speaks in borrow'd smiles, Will in your need forsake you. — Sir, Earl Murray Has powerful friends, while you, in this rude realm, By jealousy and hate encompass'd, dwell A solitary stranger ?

Riz. Courts Earl Ruthven

A solitary, stranger ?

Ruth. Hear, rash man !

Take Ruth yen's proffer'd hand, or dread his vengeance.

Rizzio, the choice is thine—

Riz. No — honour, duty,

Faith, gratitude, forbid — The Earl's return Would but revive a flame that must be quench'd In royal blood. +

Ruth. Art thou resolv'd ?

Riz. I am.

Ruth. Ill-fated man ! be Murray now restor'd, Or, I forewarn thee, slave, when next we meet, Beware of Ruthven. [Ruthven goes.

Riz. Ha !

Messenger enters.

Mes. My lord — the man —

His name I know not — He, who oft, in secret, By night here meets you, seeks admittance.

Riz. Go !

Conduct him hither— -[Mess, returns with Lindsay, Hence — [to the Mess.

We are alone — [to Lindsay.

Speak freely, faithful Lindsay —

Lincl. Look on this, [a paper. ~\

My lord, ere yet you seek the royal presence. Strictly peruse this statement : it concerns More than yourself: a kingdom's weal's at hazard.

Biz. [perusing the statement^ Earl Murray, and Elizabeth conjoind ! [Reads on.~\ Morton and Randolph leagu'd ! — Perfidious traitors !

Lind. Soon shall their guilt be manifest.

Riz. Good Lindsay !

Thro' all their wiles pursue them, and expose To the clear light of day the dark recesses Of Morton's guileful mind— Trace out this plot, And claim of me large recompense —

Lind. My lord ;

My friends, tho' few, are firm and eagie-ey'd. There are, 'neath Morton's roof, men gained by

gold, Who move at my disposal.— -If I err not You shall obtain, ere night, ere close of council, Sure proofs of their conspiracy. [Lindsay goes.

Riz. Farewell —

How ? how escape their vengeance ? — I must

perish — My spirit is o'erpower'd : guile after guile, Treason on treason — Here, designing Randolph, Fit instrument of dark Elizabeth,

In compact with insidious Morton, labours

My sov'reign's vow'd destruction : daring Murray

There meditates fierce inroad on her kingdom.

Without, impending horrors, and within

realm !

Farewell ! Where'er I pass, hate, envy, malice Pursue my step, and every blameless deed Brand with unjust detraction.— I'll depart — But how bid thee farewell ; thou, o'er whose sceptre In vain sweet Mercy bends, attempering justice : Thou, who o'er this dark realm in vain pour'st

forth The bright illumination of thy soul, A sun that gleams on frozen solitudes, Lighting up tracts of horror : gracious mistress ! How leave thee to their wiles? Yet — Rizzio's

murder Beneath thy palace roof would fill thy soul With horror and deep anguish — Be thou spar'd That aggravated woe ! I'll quit the realm — Yet, ere I go for ever, tho' each word Will pierce her heart, yet must I bear, perforce, The king's contemptuous answer — much-wrong'd

sov'reign !

How will the scene which ends thy suff'rings close ?

[Exit.

Scene changes to BothwelVs House.

BOTHWELL.

Both. Deem they, dull fools, that Bothwell

tamely labours To work their petty ends ? A crown I grasp at, And her who wears it : no light acquisition, Nor by light deeds achiev'd — day after day Matures my high-rais'd hopes — Can Scotland's

queen, Whose peerless charms and rare accomplishments From the wide world claim homage, still submit To cold neglect, and the capricious humours Of a vain stripling ? who now likes, now loaths, Shifting his fancies with each transient moment. Where now his haunt ? not with his beauteous

consort In royal palaces : yon lonely roof Conceals this phantom king : his guards, the

grooms That wait on his low sports ; the hawk and hound, And the field's idle labours. — Crafty Morton ! I know thee well, that thou canst sound the heart And draw its secrets forth : — thou dost suspect My daring aim : thine too has not escaped me — My power must aid them : Both well's pow'r must

compass Earl Murray's pardon, yea, and their advancement. Shall I then meanly limit the reward

That waits such service ? — They shall crown my

hope To its overflowing height.

Page enters.

Page. My lord —

Both. Well, boy !

Page. The masque but waits your word — I hear the prelude, Shrill pipe and tabret temper'd to the ring Of harp and cymbal, and melodious swell Of the sweet-voic'd recorders —

Both. Go, my boy,

Away — and like wing'd Zephyr quaintly rob'd, Lead the gay masque, and on the Queen's approach These rhymes present: [gives him a letter:] and say,

" the crowned Moor Who yesterday, at tournay, in her presence, Unhors'd the giant Frenchman, and proclaimed Proud Scotland's Queen the peerless flow'r of beauty, Making the challeng'd field confess her charms, Now, as a slave, sues at her feet to lay The envied prize." Away.

Page. [Running off ~\ This will delight her. [Exit.

Both. Were it but this, it were an easy task — But not by sports and revels, net by show And mimicry of combat, tilt and tournay, Must Scotland's Queen be won : by ruthless war, By deeds more fell than battle, deeds of murder, That prize must be achiev'd, if true the beldam

Who watch'd my fated birth, and o'er my cradle Mutter'd strange horrors.

Hepburn enters.

Hepburn ! — Wherefore here ?

Why thus uncalled ?

Hep. The cause, my Lord, I trow, Will more than justify my bold intrusion. The gray-hair'd man, the shepherd, that fam'd seer, Whom you in vain so oft have sought to question, Is once again return'd.

Both. Mean you hoar Donald ?

Is it indeed gray Donald ?

Hep. 'Tis that shepherd, He whom we call the Prophet of the Isles. His beard is whiter than the new-fall'n snow. He is once more return'd : all flock around him ! And some bow down before him : yet there are Who cannot bear his aspect, when he fixes His broad eye on them.

Both. Why not here ? — You knew How anxiously I sought him.

Hep. Good, my Lord, I did entreat him earnestly ; I said, A Lord of pow'r — I did not name Earl Bothwell, W'ould lavishly reward him. He replied not, But shook his silver locks, and seem'd to smile Half pitying, half in scorn.

Both. Bid Hay close watch His path — Prepare my Moorish robes ; and, Hepburn,

Let all my train be summoned to attend me

In Eastern pomp — Away [he goes.'] — That seer,

hoar Donald, All know it well — the kingdom far and near Yet rings of it — did speak of Beaton's death, Yea, and the manner of the cardinal's murder, Ere he who shed his blood had plann'd the deed. He comes in happiest hour : he shall unfold Th'uncertain issue of these dark events,

Morton enters unperceived.

Shall speak of Bothwell's crown, of Bothwell's

wedlock With his soul's sovereign.

Mor. {overhearing hint."} Ha ! 'tis as I thought. I'll break the charm — Health to the brave Earl Bothwell.

Both. Earl Morton ! Pardon my uncourteous seeming: — - Forgive — I heard you not —

Mor. No, you were list'ning

To your own words : words that the heart disclose — Beware—

Both. My lord, how mean you ?

Mor. Nay— but this,

That Bothwell's inmost thoughts are known to all.

Both. Are they so common that the public tongue May freely descant on ?

Mor. The very stones

That pave our city ring of gallant Bothwell —

Ask them whose trumpet summons to the tournay, Enquire who gives the festival,, who leads The gay carousal, whose fleet maskers flash Like sun-beams up and down the dazzled streets ? One answer cries, ff Lord Bothwell."-—

Both. Truce, my lord^

No more of this — 'Twas not for this, I know, To waste the idle hour, and loosely prattle Of revelry and feast, and gay carousal, You brake upon my privacy.

Mor, 'Tis true.

You know the wish that day and night here weighs.

Both. Yes — to recal Earl Murray.

Mor. And in this

I seek, my lord, your powerful aid. In fame, In wealth, in arms, what chieftain equals Bothwell ? Whose voice more sways our sovereign queen ?

Both. - Whose ? Rizzio's.

Mor. At the approach of Bothwell's foot, that worm Shall rVrink beneath the earth.

Both. But first 'twill sting me.

Mor. If by unmanly terror you invite it.

Both. Unmanly terror ! are those terms well weigh 'd ?

Is it Lord Morton's wish to rouse my anger ?

Mor. Yes, to its utmost swell : till it o'erflows. And like a flood resistless sweeps away All that obstructs its fury.

Both. Cease this trifling.

What would you with Lord Bothwell ?

OF DARNLEY. IT

Mor. That Lord Bothwell,

As friend to friend, would bare his heart to Morton; Do but confide in me, and I will steer you To jour soul's haven.

Both. Plainly speak.

Mor. The king

Affects you much.

Both. The king, my Lord, 'tis true,

For that I love the chase, and with him commune In well-bred phrases of the hunter's craft, Of goss-hawk and of grey-hound, and can wind Smoothly the bugle horn, and know the coverts Where harts are harbour'd, and the roe-buck bedded, Frequents my company. What then !

Mor. My Lord,

Look on these bonds. I every word have weigh'd With cool and cautious foresight. This confirms Ambitious Darnley's high-rais'd hopes, and binds us To fix and guard the matrimonial crown On his boy-brow : this we must sign. The other By Darnley sign'd, assures the exile's pardu i } And to Earl Murray, all his former honours, And princely pow'r. The rest, of course, ensues, Our favour and advancement. Move, thou canst, The king to sign it.

Both. Well we know, that crowu

Is Darnley's fix'd desire : but how persuade him To fetter his free hand, and here be branded Our titled slave ?

Mor. One artful word — 'tis done,

A look would fire him. Teach his eye to glance

On Rizzio's favour — and — if hints avail not, Dwell on his fair queen's minion. To procure That minion's murder — if I rightly reckon— The king would sign the bond.

Both. His hand shall sign it.

To Murray and his friends I am inclined : You shall not doubt my zeal. With this good sword. At hazard of my life,, I would make smooth His way to all his pow'r, so, in return, Earl Murray and his friends would — >

Mor. [interrupting!] Favour BothwelL

I am his pledge, I answer for Earl Murray. What are thy views ?

Both. When Darnley enter'd Scotland.,

What was his wish ?

Mar. To wed the queen.

Both. No doubt.

And is it not, I pray, most right and fitting, That he who weds the queen, e'en at his pleasure Should rule the kingdom, if his rule restore The Earl and his adherents, and advance To pow'r and honours those who hold your faith : And — further— by the royal seal assure To you, my good Lord Morton, and your followers. The abbies rich possessions. Is not this Fit rule and government ? and such a ruler The idol of your worship ?

Mor. Such a ruler

Would prove a nation's blessing.

Both. Further — say,

Should death untimely sweep this Darnley off,

OF DARNLEY. HI

Would you not kindly urge my suit to sooth The beauteous mourner's woe,, and her fair hand Ease of the sceptre's weight ?

Mor. The crown and sov 'reign,

If Ruthven's, Morton's, Murray's pow'r avail, Shall grace Earl Bothwell.

Both. Hand to hand., my lord,

We understand each other. Now — farewell — I now in eastern pomp — such this day's sports — Seek whom my soul adores. [Bothwell goes.]

Mor. 'Tis death thou seek'st-—

Bothwell — beware. Beneath thy flow'ry path, On watch, with gasping throat, and eye of lire, A gilded serpent lies. There shalt thou perish, Proud man ! and on thy ruin Murray tow'r.

END OF ACT THE FIRST.

ACT II. SCENE I. The Queen's Apartment

Groups of Musicians, Singers, Dancers, BothwelV* Page habited like Zephyr.

Page. This is the order. At the queen's first entrance,, In silence lay jour garlands at her feet, Then — rise at waving of my wand. And— you—

[Addressing the different groups, With lute, and cymbal, and the soft-breath'd reed. Salute her : you — attemper'd to the music, Match your clear notes : and, you, my sprightly

play- mates, In cadence to the song and music, mix Your fleet steps in the many-figur'd dance, Where Zephyr sports with Flora.

[The Queen and Countess o/Argyle enter in state, with a courtly retinue. At her entrance the masque of Zephyr and Flora begins. The Queen on her throne at first looks on the dance, but soon sinks back in seeming woe.]

C. of Ar. A rare masque !

My gracious sov'reign ! deign to view their revels.

See, like gay-coloured clouds that float around The sun's bright car, their light limbs glance

before us, One gracious look vouchsafe them.

Page. [To the maskers ] Here pay homage.

[Kneels to the Queen. They all kneel. Arise — blend, blend anew the foot and voice !

C. of Ar. [To the Queen] Such revels once had pow'r to fill your fancy With sprigbtliest images.

Queen. [After a long pause ] Why are ye fled, Ye days so fair, so fleet, that o'er me gleam'd Like an enchanted dream ? Why fled away And never know return ?

C. of Ar. Cease, cease the dance —

The queen is troubled.

Queen. Bear with me, my sister.

Tho' on my ear their song breath 'd melody, Sweet as the night's lone warbler's, tho' the dance Of fabled fairies on the moon-light dews, Scarce quaintlier than their circles, yet these sports But breathe of pleasures past, and on the heart Press like an added misery. With such revels, Such winning fantasies, Love woo'd my smile In the green bow'rs of France. [To the maskers, ,]

Thanks, gentle friends !

Let not th' untimely woe that dims my day, Eclipse your cloudless sun-shine Say, fair page, Or, must I rather name you the wing'd herald That welcomes in the spring ? Say, gentle Zephyr, Whose is this brave device ?

Page. [Page kneeling presents Bothwett's rhymes.]

Here — royal lady.

These rhymes may haply tell. The crowned Moor, Who yesterday at tournay, in your presence, Unhors'd the giant Frenchman, and proclaim'd Proud Scotland's queen, the peerless flow'r of beauty, Making the challeng'd field confess her charms, Now, prostrate at her foot-stool, sues to lay The envied prize.

Queen. Such suit was ne'er denied.

[Page goes out.

[Bothwell, as a Moorish king, enters with a stately retinue, kneels, and lays the tournay prize at the Queen's feet, .]

Queen. Rise, gallant Moor! and, if a lady's plume May grace a warrior's helm, and if you deem The conqueror repaid, whom Scotland's queen Her champion names, champion of Scotland's queen, Earl Bothwell, rise I

Both. My wealth, my power, my friends,

My life^ my soul, command them. May I bid These from your presence ?

Queen. Wherefore ?

Both. I would fain

Alone address you. 'Tis no idle speech That claims my soy 'reign's ear.

Queen. Another time.

Both. Danger and death surround you.

Queen. I can front them.

Both. Bothwell shall guard bis sovereign. Royal lady, The traveller who haunts untrodden wilds Where fierce beasts prowl, at evejy step, by day Casts round his path fear's searching glance, at night Circles his couch with fire. Full fain would Bothwell Be to thy day a sun, whose beam before you Lights all the way : and, ever- more by night Watch as th' undying flame, that o'er the altar From profanation and rude touch unblest, Guards the adored image.

Rizzio enters.

Queen. Rizzio—

Have you then seen the king ?

Riz. I bear his words.

The public must not hear them,

Both. [Aside.] How she greets him !

See — interchange they not familiar smiles ? Insidious sycophant !

Queen. Go, faithful Rizzio,

Say to that gallant knight, a fitter time May claim his audience.

Riz. My Lord Bothwell—

Both. [Interrupting him.] Cease

I mark'd each word : you need not echo it ; 'Twill not receive new graces from your utterance. Your champion, [to the Queen.'] at the council,

gracious lady, Will so sustain your throne, that Scotland's queen

Will not, methinks, there chase him from her presence. Stranger ! [7b Rizzio ^\ beware : the natives of this

realm Are a proud race, Our nobles brook not tamely The rule and nod of minions.

[Bothwell and Maskers depart.

Queen. Go, my friends !

Leave me with Rizzio. Gentle Countess, stay : To thee my soul its inmost thoughts entrusts. Speak— [lb Rizzio, ,] nought conceal.

Riz. 'Twill stab you to the heart.

Queen. Perpetual woe has chill'd it. I had once A heart that keenly felt. Oh Darnley, Darnley ! Look on me, I entreat you, as a flow'r On whose fast-fading leaves, ere fully blown, The snow-storm has descended, and sore shatter'd In its first fragrance— On its stalk it withers Reckless of show'r and sunshine — Such I am. Thy sovereign bids thee speak. — Why pause?

Biz. The king

Is link'd with traitors — and-—

Queen, [interrupting him.] Bad men deceive him; Not yet this heart is stone— Why quit me, Darnley ? Why leave the shelter of these guardian arms ? And will he not comply with my request? Not that lone roof abandon ? It disgraces Alike his state and mine —

Biz. The king no more

Returns to Holy-rood —

Queen. What then am 1 ?

Some loathsome object ? - But — He loves you not — Ho! Siward—

Siward enters.

With this man, this skillful horseman, Alone of all the train who tend my person Will he at times deign conference. Go, Siward : With reverence — with entreaty — with submission — And, is it come to this ? — Bad men betray him — Oh ! he is new to life, in the first bloom Of guileless youth, quiek-passion'd, slightly mov'd, And in the world's dark mazes all unskilled — ■ I will not leave him to their wiles a prey — My prayers, my tears may move him — I must see

him.

Once, once his Mary's voice had pow'r to sway him : Again these arms shall shelter him, again My Henry on this bosom shall repose. Say-

Siw. Whom must I address, my royal mistress ? Queen. Did I not name your sov'reign ? Go, good

Siward, Address the king :

Entreat him to return : say, that all honour, Proud retinue, and pomp, and royal state Shall gratulate his coming — [Siwai^d goes.^ This,

at least Will sooth his pride — His pride ! — and what am I ? To be rejected, scorn'd ! — Ungrateful youth, Hast thou forgotten all ? Thy words, thy vows Yet vibrate on my heart: each graceful feature

Still warmly glowing there. — Rizzio, you urg'd not With fondness my request, but coldly bore A tutor'd speech—

His. No— fervently I urg'd it—

Zeal lent my lip its eloquence— In truth I could not choose but say, how leave those charms, Charms, which uncrowned, unscepter'd, well might

move The masters of the world to wage fierce contest. I could not choose but say, who hails his sovereign, The proudest chieftain who draws nigh the throne Feels honour'd in his homage — Then I dwelt On Arran, Scotland's heir, whose eagle eye Gaz'd on the sun, till reason all-o'erpowVd Melted beneath the blaze— While yet I spake, The king, who first all graciously, methought, Had bow'd his ear, while from his eye-lid stole A tear of fond regret, on sudden fir'd By scornful rage, exclaimed, " Slave, tell thy mistress " The king prefers yon solitary roof ec To Holy-rood's polluted court, the haunt " Of low-born minions —

Queen. Ha !

Riz. [Aside.) I'll quit the realm :

Rizzio shall never give her soul displeasure — I liv*d but in her sun-shine. — Gracious mistress, Whose kindness ne'er thy servant's pray'r denied, Now giant my last request — [kneels.")

Queen. Why kneel ? Arise —

You, you alone of all who court my favour

I still have found most loyal. — What thy suit ? What wish you — wealth, or pow'r, or added

honour ?

Demand it —

Biz. No — obscurity and peace —

I pray your patience — He, who now entreats you, Had birth 'mid rocks and mountains, on whose brow Th'eternal snows have rest, in a green vale Whereshepherds tend their flocks,inthe brief season When summer looks on Alpine solitudes. Lady, the birth-place of the mountaineer Is twin'd around the heart — We may, at times, In the pursuit of wealth and pow'r, forget it, But 'tis within the heart : and if, perchance, We hear the horn that calld the herd to pasture, Or catch a rude note of the green corn-pipe That breathes our native melodies, each day Hour after hour, consum'd by fond regret We waste away, no more revisiting The spot where first our naked footstep sported — Do not deny me : let me there return, And close the remnant of life's troublous day In privacy and peace —

Queen. None left on earth

In whom my soul may blamelessly confide? Arm'd guards my state surround, beneath my sight Where'er I gaze obsequious courtiers kneel, And wide and general as the air, the breath Of flatterers hails my presence ; yet— in these I trust not. On thy faith I firmly rested : Wilt thou desert thy sovereign ? —

Riss. Never, never ;

Here let me rather die. —

Queen. What mean you, Rizzio?

JRiz. This-— There are men, beneath your palace roof, Whose daggers will leap forth at sight of Rizzio — How shall I 'scape their malice ?

Queen. First their daggers,

Shall drink their sovereign's biood —

Siward enters.

Ha ! Si ward ! speak.

Siw. If, seeming harsh, let not your servant's words Offend you — I but speak the king's command. Say — ic that my hx'd resolve to her is known, " My will, in this, unchang'd, unchangeable — ee But — that if Scotland's queen this day, at council^ ec Obey my word, and at the assembled states ec Fix on my brow the crown : I will return : ef Else — never."

Queen. Fix upon his brow the crown ! —

Would that I might : and that the glowing image Which fir'd my fancy, were no vain illusion! Angel ! that guard'st this empire, hear my pray'r ! Make the exalted youth, by me ador'd, The idol of a nation : gift his soul W ith pow'r to sway a realm : that I may take The crown from off my brow to grace his temples, And greatly glory in my self-abasement

Heightening his exaltation ! — Scotland's crown Is no vain toy to deck the brow of beauty. Tis heav'n's high charge : a proud inheritance From far-fam'd ancestors., king after king, A countless generation. I will guard it. Yea, and transmit its honours to my offspring With undirninish'd lustre. Siward, bear My answer back : say, <c that we meet in council."

[Siward goes,

Darnley ! thou might'st have wound thyself by

kindness

Into my yielding bosom. Scorn — contemn me —

Darnley ! thou meet'stat council Scotland's Queen.

[Exeunt.

Scene changes to a Suburb of the City.

Donald.

Don. I'm o'er-wearied.

Old age doth lack repose, and other aid To prop its weakness than this shepherd's crook. My limbs have lost their suppleness, and truly 'Tis the last time that Donald will be found A wanderer from the birth-place of his fathers. My old friends here are gone, the young ones vex And harass me with questions : and some whisper I have a demon, and can raise the dead. Poor silly idlers ! here they throng.

Common People enter,

1 Man. Say, prophet, Oh you know all.

2 Man. Tell us

Bothwell enters disguised, and drives them out.

Both. Away — begone.

Don. Why have you driven them hence ?

Both. Because my soul

Seeks commune far beyond their silly natures. I have long sought you.

Don. Wherefore ?

Both. I would fain

Hold serious conference with you. You foretold Proud Beaton's death : and, ere the army's flight, Our loss at Solway, when the lords refus'd To serve with Sinclair : and — you truly added — ■ That our brave king, whose front had fae'd a lion, James, would not long that day of shame survive. Time-honour'd prophet —

Don. I am none. You see

A simple shepherd.

Both. You are rarely gifted

With that prophetic quality, which brings The shadowy world, and those that tenant it, As on a living theatre to act Their part before you. Hence, you see me here No common suitor : and, I now entreat you