 | Mary, Queen of Scots |  |
Scene IV.
RIDOLPHI AND NORFOLK.NORFOLK.
Well, my friend,
What news? you gave my letters to the queen?
RIDOLPHI.
I did, my lord.
NORFOLK.
But say, hath honest Thickford
Transmitted safe the treasure which I sent
To Mary's Scottish friends?
RIDOLPHI.
Ere this I doubt not
Lord Herries hath received it; but whence, my lord,
That down-cast eye, and melancholy aspect?
You look as if yon haughty minister
Had just been chiding you.
NORFOLK.
And so in truth
He hath, and with such rude asperity
16
May come when I shall hope—
RIDOLPHI.
To be revenged.
NORFOLK.
Give me the means.
RIDOLPHI.
The means, my lord, are found.
Already England's discontented nobles
Are ripe for a revolt, and only want
A brave and valiant leader; need I add
To thee they look, on thee an injured people
Calls for redress, conjures thee to protect
A beauteous queen, who offers thee a throne,
Her kingdom, and herself.
NORFOLK.
The last, Ridolphi,
The last is all I ask of bounteous heaven:
I would not wish for honour, riches, fame,
Or empire, but to share it with my love.
RIDOLPHI.
She shall be thine, and soon: the noble houses
Of Percy and of Nevil are our friends;
Pembroke and Arundel: Northumberland,
With all the busy spirits of the north
Is rising for us: first we have resolved
By force of arms, to free the Scottish queen.
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O, 'twill be glorious triumph. Yes, Ridolphi,
Methinks I see the gloomy Cecil knit
His angry brow, and threat the trembling slaves,
Who come to tell him, that his lovely prey,
She who so long had struggled in the toils,
Has broke the snare and fled to Norfolk's arms.
But say, my friend, when we have gain'd the prize,
What blest asylum shall we find to place her
In peace and safety?
RIDOLPHI.
Where shall beauty shine
In brighter lustre than on England's throne?
And who shall share it with her? who so fit
As her deliverer, the noble Norfolk?
NORFOLK.
Ha! Mary and a throne! 'twere happiness
Too great for man: ambition, tempt me not
With thy deceitful lure; it cannot be,
We must not hope.
RIDOLPHI.
We'll not despair, our cause
Will gather strength and numbers every hour;
Alva hath promised to support it; France
Will join us soon; and Philip's restless spirit
Would gladly set the crown on Mary's head.
Ross hath advised, that with a chosen band,
(Soon as the royal pris'ner is restored
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And seize Elizabeth.
NORFOLK.
Ha! seize the queen,
Impossible! th'attempt were rash and vain;
But grant it done, what then?
RIDOLPHI.
Why then, my lord,
We might dispose of her as best may suit
Our purpose.
NORFOLK.
Whither wouldst thou lead me? blind
Ambition stop: I'll follow thee no further;
I am not so far lost to every sense
Of honour, duty, and obedience. No:
We'll not disgrace the cause of liberty,
Or stain our noble enterprise with blood.
Forbid it, Heaven! Ridolphi, we will talk
Of this hereafter; fare thee well: to-morrow
After the council we will meet again.
RIDOLPHI.
Meantime remember, Mary's liberty
Depends on your resolves; remember too,
In crimes of state, who shares but half the guilt
May meet with more than half its punishment.
[Exit Ridolphi.
| Mary, Queen of Scots | |