 | Mary Tudor |  |
193
Scene IV.
The Queen's Closet.Enter Queen, followed by Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH.
You would not see me when I sent the ring:
The token of your love, that was to guard me
If anger grew between us.
QUEEN.
When this outbreak
First threatened, and malicious tongues impeached
My sister's faith, I sent for you to Ashridge.
I prayed you on your love to come to court,
And pledged you mine. You came not; pleaded sickness.
I waited long: then sent Lord William Howard,
Your mother's uncle, with my own litter for you,
And three physicians.
ELIZABETH.
Was I not most sick?
QUEEN.
Ay! sick at heart—sick with unlawful longings
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When circumstances frowned, and charges grew
Against you, to assail me with your tears,
Win with caresses. Then I answered—No.
We meet not till your conscience and your acts
Shall be as a crystal which the sun shines through.
ELIZABETH.
My conscience is unflawed, unstained. You see
Shadows, not mine, behind it, not within it.
This is not just.
QUEEN.
Elizabeth I love you;
And therefore seek to favour: but I rule you.
Justice demands this of me. It was well
That by the old law, which my act restored,
I have abided: thus you rest secure,
No overt act of treason proved. I tore
The ciphered manuscripts which, they alleged,
Inculpated my Sister. God forefend
That any, far less one so dear, should fall
By evidence so easy to be forged.
You stand acquitted. God, who sees all hearts,
Grant you be clear from sin!
ELIZABETH.
Upon my knees;
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I do protest my truth and loyalty—
I ask no favour, I implore no pardon.
QUEEN.
Well, well! belike as you so stiffly stand
Upon your truth, we have dealt wrongfully.
ELIZABETH.
Your Sister must not say so to your Grace.
QUEEN.
But you will so report.
ELIZABETH.
Believe me, never.
This burthen I have borne and still must bear:
Yet humbly, as your loving Sister, crave
Your kind construction.
QUEEN.
Be it so. God knoweth!
I thus replace your ring; pledge of new love.
Or innocent or guilty, I forgive you.
[Exeunt.
| Mary Tudor | |