Mary Stuart: A Tragedy Part 29

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.

SCENE VI.

LEICESTER (bursts open the door with violence, and enters with an imperious air).

LEICESTER.

Fain would I see the shameless man who dares Forbid me the apartments of my queen!

ELIZABETH (avoiding his sight).

Audacious slave!

LEICESTER.

To turn me from the door!

If for a Burleigh she be visible, She must be so to me!

BURLEIGH.

My lord, you are Too bold, without permission to intrude.

LEICESTER.

My lord, you are too arrogant, to take The lead in these apartments. What! Permission!

I know of none who stands so high at court As to permit my doings, or refuse them.

[Humbly approaching ELIZABETH.

'Tis from my sovereign's lips alone that I----

ELIZABETH (without looking at him).

Out of my sight, deceitful, worthless traitor!

LEICESTER.

'Tis not my gracious queen I hear, but Burleigh, My enemy, in these ungentle words.

To my imperial mistress I appeal; Thou hast lent him thine ear; I ask the like.

ELIZABETH.

Speak, shameless wretch! Increase your crime--deny it.

LEICESTER.

Dismiss this troublesome intruder first.

Withdraw, my lord; it is not of your office To play the third man here: between the queen And me there is no need of witnesses.

Retire----