CECIL, folus. Aye; and in fpite of thee, proud Scot! Let Scotland, France, and Spain blow up the ftorm, I'll weather it, if no finifter wind, No inland guft, o'erfet me fuddenly: Mary's fecure; and Norfolk's fhallow brains His plots I find have yet no farther fcope. [Exit Cecil. SCENE III. Elizabeth entering her Chamber with the Lieutenant of the Tower, Eliz. Lieutenant, now you have had your orders hafte! Lieut. The Duke is ftill below-I'll guard him well. [Exit Lieut. ELIZABETH, folus. So! this defign is riper than I thought: Leicester informs me that the contract's fign'd. For this intriguing Lord, who thinks to mix Enter Cecil, throwing himself at Elizabeth's Feet. Cecil. Most gracious Queen! thus at your royal feet I crave a boon. E'en as I enter'd now, The Duke was feiz'd; oh, yet fufpend your wrath! Eliz. Can Cecil plead for Norfolk? Rife! and fay, What means this double aspect? this quick change? This anguifh heat and cold? Your fteadymind, Which us'd to point the fafeft road, now veers, Turns, like the fhifting vane, at every blaft. Cecil. When have these eyes e'er view'd your ene mies But with an even, ftedfaft look of hate? Eliz. Why, Cecil! are not all the Catholics United in this caufe? th' ambaffadors Of France and Spain haunt me from morn to night With their petitions for this captive Queen. Cecil. Yet Norfolk's neither Catholic nor foe; Vouchfafe to hear him! Eliz. Since you are prompt In his defence ;-who waits? Call in the Duke. [Enter Attendant.] [Exit Attendant.] Cecil, Had he designs against your government . I ne'er had fued for him; but he, poor dupe! Intent on his vain-glorious enterprife, Aim'd at no farther harm: and to be plain, To keep his perfon long in cuftody But here he comes. Enter Norfolk throwing himself at Elizabeth's Feet. Nor. My Miftrefs! Oh, my Queen! Here let me, proftrate on this ground, affert Eliz. You may arife; 'Tis done already: honeft Cecil prov'd Eliz. Norfolk, attend! this caution now remains Cecil. Norfolk, this escape [Exit Eliz. Should ferve to warn you from this idle chace; Fly not at game fo high; the faulcon's fafe NORFOLK, folus. So! this wife man Thus condefcends to wafte his thoughts on me! It is no trifling task to quit at once All that makes life engaging, all I love!— And bring forth miracles-but none like this, ACT III. SCENE I. Before Tutbury Caftle. I A Enter the Earl of Shrewsbury and Beton. BETON. AM charg'd with royal thanks to Shrewsbury For his humanity and gentleness. Shrewf. Alas, good Beton! 'tis a grievous task Thus to confine a Queen-Humanity, Where 'tis fo due, claims lefs acknowledgement. The neighbourhood abounds with Catholics. Beton. I learn from him That the Earl of Huntingdon will foon arive; Shrewf. You know he claims fucceffion to the Before the Queen of Scots; this ftrange conceit SCENE II. Tutbury Caftle, Mary's Cham ber---Mary and Lady Douglas difcovered: Mary. No, nor another tear! our fate's decreed ; Our lot is caft; here in this fad abøde, E en here we may enjoy a dread repose- Whene'er I fumber'd, mock'd my troubled fight, and feverous expectations agonies. L. Doug. My royal mistress, ftill there is hope, though this May feem the manfion of defpair; fo cold, Looks like the entrance to the fhades of death, old John of Gaunt; hither flock'd all the pride The beauties of the Court; each Knight in arms, Our eyes are now to other ufes doom'd; L. Doug. Lofe not a fight on me! while I behold Which once you say these eyes were witnefs to, Long, wintry, fleepless nights, and chear awhile This must not be; you must depart, my girl; Enter SHREWSBURY. Shrews. Madam! it grieves me that my prefence here Shou'd give you fuch alarm; I hoped, that if 'Twas not in cruelty Mary, Far otherwife; 'twas fomewhat elfe, indeed Perhaps an idle fear; at least while you Continue in your charge |