University of Virginia Library

PRELUDE

[Midnight. A broad parapet, outside the Royal Palace of Linlithgow, on to which James emerges, while Music is being played, and the sound of gay laughter is heard, within. At the open windows, the faces of Ladies at the King's Court appear and disappear.]
JAMES
Good night, fair ladies all! Truce to your charms!
Warm dreams, sound sleep! But, as you know, in France
They say the silent recollected Night
Brings counsel sage, and I have need of it.
So let the music of your laughter and
Soft-shading eyelids see you to your beds.
But, as you go, be measured in your mirth;
Wake not the Queen! Good night! Good night! Good night!
[He walks slowly along the parapet. Shortly, as he turns, he beholds a veiled Apparition.]
Who mayst thou be?

APPARITION
The Wisdom of the Night,
Whom you invoked! Go not to war with England!
Or if the hotness of your blood demand
That sanguinary ordeal, beware,
Beware of woman's glamour, woman's wiles!

JAMES
Now I'll be sworn that this is merely one
Of England's crafty emissaries, or
Some frolic beauty of my Court, dispatched
To play upon my fancy some fresh trick.
Well, if the first, my sword shall probe the riddle;
And, if the second, she the forfeit pay
Of such nocturnal visitants.
[He draws his sword, and prepares to thrust at the Apparition. It stalks slowly towards him, walks upon his sword point, against him, through him, and vanishes.]
Gone!
[He turns to see if it be behind, but there is no one, and the last lights in the Castle are extinguished.]
Gone!