University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—The Chapel.
Bernard, Mary, and Adelaide.
Mary.
That hymn hath soothed my spirit: I think I now
Could rest in quiet. Sleep, now I dread thee not!
My dreams no longer will be horror-haunted;
Angelic strains will lull my ear; my couch
Shall be all curtained round with cherubs wings,
Through which the morning sun will faintly send
A purple slumber-shedding ray, sealing
My weary eyelids for a time with peace,
Until some gentle well-known voice
Breathe in my ear, awake: And yet I think
I see—no, no—begone—false fear—
I gave no warrant—I forbade the deed.

Adel.
I hear a tread.—
[Looking round.
Ah me! it is not his.

[Exeunt Mary and Adelaide.
Bern.
The shaft is plucked, but O I fear the barb
Is rankling in her heart: If it be so,
O God, forgive!

Enter Hamilton.
Ham.
Where is the Queen?

Bern.
They are just gone. The Queen thought she could rest.
Her spirit seemed—but for a moment—soothed.
What think you 'tis that weighs upon her mind?

Ham.
What think you—to have been a Queen, and now
To be cast down below a subject's state.

Bern.
I long to learn from you, my lord, the events
Which must have come to pass since that the Queen
Was held a captive in Lochleven isle.

Ham.
Father, you shall be satisfied.

Bern.
Let us, meantime, return: I must set down
Refreshments 'gainst the awaking of the Queen.

[Exeunt.