The rival queens

II

I. The Coronation

II. The Rival Queens

III. Armada Days

IV. The Death of Essex

V. The Passing of the Queen

The

Rival Queens

By

N. S. Shaler

Two Copies Received

Copyright Entry

(HA.

CLASS 0_ XXo. No.

‘J / <T U

L

COPYRIGHT I9O3 BY N. S. SHALER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PUBLISHED NOVEMBER I903

Prologue

EHOLD

This vast procession of a noble life Where troops the host the Almighty doth command To march beneath one banner: there ’s the front Of valiant arms that breaks the straight way on ; And there the priests of wisdom looking far; Along with them the graces garlanded.

The jesters with their antics, rustic churls Usurping place by betters, mayhap knaves Who hide them in the pageant. All as one They march on to the end. The common see After their mind, — soldier, or sage, or fool, Scoundrel or hero ; while the wise behold And marvel at God’s doing when He wills To send His semblance in a mortal life Unto this needy world.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Duke of Norfolk.

Earl of Leicester.

Earl of Sussex.

Lord Himes.

Lord Paget.

Sir William Cecil.

Sir William Petrie.

Sir Walter Ralegh.

Sir Philip Sidney.

Sir Francis Walsingham.

Arthur Petrie.

Clod.

Davison.

Old John, Servant of the Queen.

Gentleman.

Four Gentlemen, Companions of Lord Paget. Officer.

Chamberlain.

Usher.

Messenger.

Surgeon.

Keeper of Carlisle Castle.

Warder of Carlisle Castle.

Dramatis Personae

Captain of Guard.

Steward.

Porter.

Duke of Anjou.

French Ambassador.

Spanish Ambassador.

Queen Elizabeth.

Mary, Queen of Scots.

Katherine Ashley.

Ladies in Waitings Courtiers , Attendants , CitizenSy Guards .

THE

Rival Queens

Act First

Shore of Solway Firth ; near by , a boat . Mary of Scotland, Lord Himes, Attendants. Mary.

S there no way but this? Yon sea is wild.

Himes. Faith, madam, wilder chance awaits us here :

Those faithful to you lie on yonder field ;

We soon shall find like end unless we fly.

Mary. What ’s then to hope within my cousin’s realm ?

Himes. At least the moment’s safety, and the chance

Of faith that is dead here. This troubled sea,

For all its hunger, knows what mercy is ;

It hath fair havens ; and its waters part True folk from false.

Mary. How will they greet us there ?

If we would hence we should count with the foes

To whom we flee, as with those left behind :

You know them well.

Himes. I know that they are men.

And you a woman who may bid men do Your will, whatever else should make with them; That you are here proves that. Your crown is lost.

But not the sceptre that doth rule men’s hearts. You ’ll enter there as shipwrecked, claiming help ; Much cometh after.

Mary. Dare they follow us ?

Himes. Nay, that they will not venture : they ’ll be spent

In our undoing. You’ll have chance to win The better if they chase us, for the blows That beat them back will ring our welcome in. Mary. The hosts of Dacres and Northumberland

Are true to us by faith and friendship’s ties ;

Beside them there ’s a throng who bear her chains

And glad would break them. If it but begin,

’T will be a game betwixt us for a throne.

So God may guide it. Those who seek to crush May send us victory.

Himes. Amen, my Queen.

Now we must forth ; for see, o’er yonder hill Comes on their van, whelming the few who stand To give you safety. There is storm before,

But at its worst peace to what ’s left behind.

[ They put out to sea .

End of Scene.