University of Virginia Library

Scene VI.

The inner Court of the Tower. A Scaffold at the rear of the scene.
Enter Jane Grey leaning on the Duchess of Suffolk, followed by Bedingfield, &c.
JANE.
My Mother! we part here.

DUCHESS.
Tear her not from me!
Was it for this, O martyred saint, I bore thee?
Is my long travail's fruit thy bloody death?

JANE.
Here must we part. She faints—so best for both!
Gently remove her. Bless thee! bless thee, Mother!
And give thee length of years, to me denied—
Now lead me forward: I am ready.

BEDINGFIELD.
Madam,
We fain would linger on the way. Our eyes,
Blind though they be with tears, strain round to catch
Some signal of reprieve.

JANE.
O seek it not!
It cannot be. My life may not consist
With the realm's safety. Innocent am I
In purpose; but the object of great crimes.
Good blood must still flow on till Jane's be shed.

BEDINGFIELD.
At least we may delay till the Dean comes
To whisper spiritual comfort?

JANE.
Infinite
Is the Almighty's goodness. In that, only,
Place I my trust. My time, Sir, is too short
For controversy: and that good man's duty
Compels him to debate my creed. I thank him—
Pray you, Sir, say I thank him, from my heart—
For all his charities. In privacy
My prayers—not unacceptable, I trust,
To God my Saviour—have been offered up.
So must they to the end.

BEDINGFIELD.
At least permit me
To seek the Queen—

JANE.
Sir Henry, by no means.
Her Grace is cumbered with affairs of state;
And must no more be troubled for my sake.
Think you I wish to live? Look on these weeds;
This widow-garment! Life, to one like me,
Is a drained vessel. As for death, being wholly
Intent on the life to come, I disregard it.
[A bier covered by a pall, is brought down from the scaffold: and carried across the stage.
Ah! my poorheart!—stop, Sir! one moment stop!
[She approaches the bier, lifts a hand from beneath the pall, wipes it with her handkerchief, kisses it; then rising, places the handkerchief in her bosom.
Lie there, dear blood! over my heart, 'till death!
Sir, pardon me this weakness. I am ready.
Yet, hold! some words are due, before I die
To the Queen's Grace, to Justice, and to England.
My sentence hath been just; not for aspiring
Unto the crown, but that, with guilty weakness,
When proffered I refused it not. From me
Let future times be warned that good intent
Excuseth not misdeeds: all instruments
Of evil must partake its punishment.
Sir Henry, take my hand. Lead on—to heaven!
[As she turns toward the scaffold, she starts, smiles, gradually looks upwards, raising her arms.
I come, dear Love!—Jesus, receive our souls!

[As they ascend the scaffold the scene closes.