Shrews. If I remain Mary. Why there's no doubt, I hope?— Now adds the name of Huntington Why is that monster fent? Are there no racks So fit for her ingenuous cruelty; The sharpest inftruments which tyrants ufe Shrews. I fhall not fail to enforce all due respect. Confoling one another's miferies, Telling old ftories to beguile the time, Of things that pafs'd, when I was queen, and you L. Doug. Indeed We have a kind of melancholy joy Indulging in our grief. Shrews. For that, Alas! Mary. How fo? Shrews. This hour I learn A ftrange account of fome conspiracy Was join'd with Norfolk's, who, with other Lords, Mary. Ha, me ! Merciful Heav'n! What fay'ft thou, Shrewsbury? Is Norfolk in the Tower on my account? Recal those words! Oh, they fhot thro' my brain Like light'ning! Say you do not believe them, man! Speak, prythee! Oh, you hefitate! I'm loft! He's gone! I fee the cruel lioness Has feiz'd the noble hart; he bleeds beneath [Leaning on Lady Douglas. L. Doug. Alas! her memory fails; Enter NAWE haftily. Nawe. This moment brings a meffenger who tells That Norfolk, Pembroke, Lumely, Arundel, Each to his feveral dungeon was confined For Norfolk's treason; that on farther proof, The Duke was clear'd: who now restored to grace, Lives in full fplendour, fame, and liberty. Shrew. Look to the Queen! She faints. [Here Mary having changed from horror to joy, faints and falls into Lady Douglas' arms. L. Doug. Help! help! Shrew. Who waits ? Enter MARY's attendants. Convey her foftly: Thus, alas! fhe's dead [They carry her to a couch. L. Doug. My miftrefs! Oh my mistress! Oh my Queen! She breathes! fhe breathes! yet there is life, oh, Heavn's! Shrew. Patience a while! L. Doug. Be filent all I pray ! Her troubled fpirit must not be disturb'd? These fhocks have ftop'd the current of her blood? And nature seeks a momentary pause : Exceffive joy fucceeding grief fo quick Now o'erwhelms her mind: but balmy fleep, With tears that make the drowning tide to ebb, [Exeunt, leaving Mary afleep furrounded b D SCENE III. Before Tutbury Caftle. Enter BETON and NAWE. Nawe. I trust the Queen will foon regain her ftrength. Beton. No doubt if this were all; but ftill I fear Father viciffitudes-The crazy times Are big with strange events; each teeming hour Enter NORFOLK, in disguise. Nor. One born to freedom, and not bound to tell Whether he comes or goes Nawe. What wou'd you here? Beton. Let's take him to the Governor Nor. Villains, Stand off Beton No Villains ferve the Queen of Scots; Learn that bafe ruffian [They draw their fwords and feize Norfolk. Nor. Hold, are you the Queen's? Serve you Queen Mary? then a word with your Nawe. Ha! the token fure! Beton. The very token? 'tis the Duke? Nor. My friends! Beton. No more; this is a dangerous place; re tire Below the drawbridge, to that fally port, Half choak'd with ruins; there wait patiently, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Mary difcovered on her Couch furrounded by Lady Douglas and her Maids. Mary. Am I awake! Methinks the clouds difperfe A watry gleam of light breaks thro' the mift; "The tepid funbeams play, and gin to shed "Their all enlight'ning vivifying rays," To chear the world, and diffipate its gloom; All nature seems restored-" My gentle maids, "Have you been with me whilft I flept? No doubt; “For I have dreamt I was in Heav'n; and you "Were furely the fair angels that I faw "Surrounding me in blifs"-Douglas! I think The laft word that I heard was liberty: Norfolk is fet at liberty: L. Doug. No doubt; That was the purport of our joyful news. Mary. Then I'm alive again, my hopes and all; Once more I'll dream of comfort, and indulge Each fond delufion;-I fhall fee my love; He'll foon be here ;-Norfolk won't tarry long. SHREWSBURY and HUNTINGDON entering. Shrews. Gently, my Lord! perhaps the Queen's at reft. Hunt. We muft ufe all difpatch. Shrews. Awhile! my Lord! Madam! the Earl of Huntingdon, who is joined [Prefenting Lord Huntingdon to the Queen. Hunt. Our first instruction is to hold her safe. [Turning to Shrewsbury. Shrews. Aye, but in that beware how we tranf grefs The bounds of Mercy; mercy is the due Of all who breathe on England's foil; it grows Mary, I am neither, Lords! I am, like her, a Queen: nor will confent Hunt. This is no time For fuch high strains; learn your condition here, And for my tongue, 'twere better fail in that, Shrews. Oh fhame; fuch words, If they are true Hunt. Talk not of words! I come The county prifoners. L. Doug. How wou'd you place a Queen A lady form'd in nature's fairest mould, Rear'd like the tendereft plant, fhaped by each grace, Each exquifite laft touch of polifh'd art, Among a tribe of felons? Shrews. What! immur'd With all the refufe of the human race, The outcafts of the earth? Hunt. My Lord! I know My duty; fure you have forgot the charge. [Painting at Mary's attendants. Mary. Mean, abject flave! Hunt. I here difmifs one half of this fame train: Begone! [To the attendants.] Mary. No top! inhuman wretch, forbear! On me direct your vengeance-let not thefe Poor helpless maids be driven from their home, |