University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

—Changes to the Castle Garden. The end of the Chapel seen in the back ground.
Enter Wingfield.
Wing.
This fool is at his exorcisms no doubt,
A-sprinkling holy lymph to purify
An altar for a human sacrifice.

Enter Warder.
Ward.
An please your worship, would you hear some music?
There is a pleasant harper here.

Wing.
No, no; begone!—Music! I hate it.
Hast e'er a cross-bow? I would that thou couldst shoot
Yon noisy throstle on the yew-tree hedge. [Exit Warder.
[The folding-doors of the Chapel open. Francisco, from within, comes forward. The altar, with lights, crucifix, &c. seen at the farther end.

A pretty show, indeed: The bait's well gilt;
The hook is sharp, and barbed withal;
It must not slip Francisco.

Douglas seen in the back ground among the trees.
Doug.
What can this mean?

[Aside.
Fran.
But there's one thing I fear may come to pass;
I would not wish, when angling for the trout,
To kill the little minnow: I've been informed,
There is a lady with the Queen of Scots.

Wing.
O mind not that; since, if it come to pass,
What then? There is no good can be attained
Without some ill.

Fran.
We must somehow avoid a double crime.

Wing.
If it be possible.—But, good Francisco,
There is another point:
I know my mistress wishes to obtain
Some proof of Mary's guilt, both as to Rizzio,
And to the King her husband. Do you think
You could persuade her friend to counterfeit
The Queen's subscription? I have prepared a writing;
It bears a full confession of her guilt.
I've heard that this same friend, or secretary,
Both pens and signs her mistress' letters.

Fran.
I'll not take more in hand; I do not know
The Queen's companion.

Wing.
I'll bring you to them now.

Fran.
I long to see them.

[Exeunt.
Douglas comes forward.
Doug.
There's here some villainy devised.
A double crime! some proof of Mary's guilt!
The little minnow kill—whom?
Although the character I cannot read,
I can discern the Queen of England's hand;
She writes in cypher, with a blood-dipped pen.
She's working.—Now, were I some wretch, hope 'reft,
Self-doomed to death, but dreading to incur
The guilt of suicide,
I'd by anticipation expiate
That guilt, by stabbing first
This empress of all princely hypocrites:
I'd be the avenging angel.
O, I would stand all hazards for the chance
Of striking such a blow; and when 'twas struck,
I'd deem the punishment a high reward.—
'Would I could see the Queen once more ere night,
But just to say, Beware! I'll try again
To wind myself into her presence.

[Exit.