Mary Stuart: A Tragedy Part 25

MORTIMER, soon after O'KELLY.

MORTIMER (after a pause).

Am I then mad? Came not one running by But now, and cried aloud, the queen is murdered!

No, no! I did but dream. A feverish fancy Paints that upon my mind as true and real, Which but existed in my frantic thoughts.

Who's there? It is O'Kelly. So dismayed!

O'KELLY (rus.h.i.+ng in).

Flee, Mortimer, oh! flee--for all is lost!

MORTIMER.

What then is lost?

O'KELLY.

Stand not on question. Think On speedy flight.

MORTIMER.

What has occurred?

O'KELLY.

Sauvage, That madman, struck the blow.

MORTIMER.

It is then true!

O'KELLY.

True, true--oh! save yourself.

MORTIMER (exultingly).

The queen is murdered-- And Mary shall ascend the English throne!

O'KELLY.

Is murdered! Who said that?

MORTIMER.

Yourself.

O'KELLY.

She lives, And I, and you, and all of us are lost.

MORTIMER.

She lives!

O'KELLY.

The blow was badly aimed, her cloak Received it. Shrewsbury disarmed the murderer.

MORTIMER.

She lives!

O'KELLY.

She lives to whelm us all in ruin; Come, they surround the park already; come.

MORTIMER.

Who did this frantic deed?

O'KELLY.

It was the monk From Toulon, whom you saw immersed in thought, As in the chapel the pope's bull was read, Which poured anathemas upon the queen.

He wished to take the nearest, shortest way, To free, with one bold stroke, the church of G.o.d, And gain the crown of martyrdom: he trusted His purpose only to the priest, and struck The fatal blow upon the road to London.

MORTIMER (after a long silence).

Alas! a fierce, destructive fate pursues thee, Unhappy one! Yes--now thy death is fixed; Thy very angel has prepared thy fall!

O'KELLY.

Say, whither will you take your flight? I go To hide me in the forests of the north.

MORTIMER.

Fly thither, and may G.o.d attend your flight; I will remain, and still attempt to save My love; if not, my bed shall be upon her grave.

[Exeunt at different sides.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--Antechamber.

COUNT AUBESPINE, the EARLS Of KENT and LEICESTER.

AUBESPINE.

How fares her majesty? My lords, you see me Still stunned, and quite beside myself for terror!

How happened it? How was it possible That in the midst of this most loyal people----

LEICESTER.

The deed was not attempted by the people.

The a.s.sa.s.sin was a subject of your king, A Frenchman.

AUBESPINE.

Sure a lunatic.

LEICESTER.

A papist, Count Aubespine!

SCENE II.

Enter BURLEIGH, in conversation with DAVISON.