Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

The apartment of the Queen.

ELIZABETH, with a letter in her hand, BURLEIGH.

Elizabeth. To lure me thither! trifle with me thus! The traitor! Thus to lead me, as in triumph, Into the presence of his paramour! Oh, Burleigh! ne'er was woman so deceived.

Burleigh. I cannot yet conceive what potent means, What magic he exerted, to surprise My queen's accustomed prudence.

Elizabeth. Oh, I die For shame! How must he laugh to scorn my weakness! I thought to humble her, and was myself The object of her bitter scorn.

Burleigh. By this You see how faithfully I counselled you.

Elizabeth. Oh, I am sorely punished, that I turned My ear from your wise counsels; yet I thought I might confide in him. Who could suspect Beneath the vows of faithfullest devotion A deadly snare? In whom can I confide When he deceives me? He, whom I have made The greatest of the great, and ever set The nearest to my heart, and in this court Allowed to play the master and the king.

Burleigh. Yet in that very moment he betrayed you, Betrayed you to this wily Queen of Scots.

Elizabeth. Oh, she shall pay me for it with her life! Is the death-warrant ready?

Burleigh. 'Tis prepared As you commanded.

Elizabeth. She shall surely die-- He shall behold her fall, and fall himself! I've driven him from my heart. No longer love, Revenge alone is there: and high as once He stood, so low and shameful be his fall! A monument of my severity, As once the proud example of my weakness. Conduct him to the Tower; let a commission Of peers be named to try him. He shall feel In its full weight the rigor of the law.

Burleigh. But he will seek thy presence; he will clear----

Elizabeth. How can he clear himself? Does not the letter Convict him. Oh, his crimes are manifest!

Burleigh. But thou art mild and gracious! His appearance, His powerful presence----

Elizabeth. I will never see him; No never, never more. Are orders given Not to admit him should he come?

Burleigh. 'Tis done.

Page. (entering) The Earl of Leicester!

Elizabeth. The presumptuous man! I will not see him. Tell him that I will not.

Page. I am afraid to bring my lord this message, Nor would he credit it.

Elizabeth. And I have raised him So high that my own servants tremble more At him than me!

Burleigh. (to the PAGE) The queen forbids his presence.

[The PAGE retires slowly.

Elizabeth. (after a pause) Yet, if it still were possible? If he Could clear himself? Might it not be a snare Laid by the cunning one, to sever me From my best friends--the ever-treacherous harlot! She might have writ the letter, but to raise Poisonous suspicion in my heart, to ruin The man she hates.

Burleigh. Yet, gracious queen, consider.