University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Mary, Bothwell, Ormond.
Ma.
Speak the truth;
Confess what Henry said to thee.

Or.
He ... yes ...
He bitterly deplored the disesteem
In which all hold him here.

Ma.
It is not now
The time to soften down his words. The mask
Take off; confess to me his rash proposals,
And thy rash promises.

Or.
'Tis true ... that he ...
Sought ... to obtain of me, ... in his behalf, ...
The interference ... of Elizabeth.

Ma.
Now by sincerity alone thou canst
Defend thyself. I know the whole affair.
What boots concealment? 'Twere in vain for thee
To seek to elude confession. In the event,
Henry himself, as cautious in performing,
As in contriving projects, had betray'd
Himself, and Ormond, and Elizabeth:
But from thy lips I fain would hear the truth.

Or.
Henry complain'd to me that in these walls
His offspring, destined for a double realm,
Was train'd perniciously: hence he himself
Determined to surrender him in hostage
To Elizabeth, a pledge of his good faith ...

Ma.
Oh unexampled father! And didst thou
Consent to this?

Or.
... By a direct refusal
I would not quench his hopes too suddenly ...
I feign'd consent, to learn his further purpose ...

Ma.
Let this suffice; no more. Elizabeth,
The artificer of fraudulent designs,
Hither dispatch'd thee: but, as I conceive,
Of fraudulent designs more subtly plann'd.
Retire now; that which on thy own account
Thou dost not merit, to thy rank I yield.
Elizabeth meanwhile shall learn from me,
That an ambassador to me is due,
More dexterous at least, if not more faithful.