Полная версия
Купить и скачатьДобавить В библиотеку
Mary Stuart
Автор:
Жанр:
Год написания книги: 2017
Тэги:
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля
SCENE XIV
Enter DAVISON.
ELIZABETH The sentence, sir, which I but late intrusted Unto your keeping; where is it?DAVISON (in the utmost astonishment) The sentence!ELIZABETH (more urgent) Which yesterday I gave into your charge.DAVISON Into my charge, my liege!ELIZABETH The people urged And baited me to sign it. I perforce Was driven to yield obedience to their will. I did so; did so on extreme constraint, And in your hands deposited the paper. To gain time was my purpose; you remember What then I told you. Now, the paper, sir!SHREWSBURY Restore it, sir, affairs have changed since then, The inquiry must be set on foot anew.DAVISON Anew! Eternal mercy!ELIZABETH Why this pause, This hesitation? Where, sir, is the paper?DAVISON I am undone! Undone! My fate is sealed!ELIZABETH (interrupting him violently) Let me not fancy, sir —DAVISON Oh, I am lost! I have it not.ELIZABETH How? What?SHREWSBURY Oh, God in heaven!DAVISON It is in Burleigh's hands – since yesterday.ELIZABETH Wretch! Is it thus you have obeyed my orders? Did I not lay my strict injunction on you To keep it carefully?DAVISON No such injunction Was laid on me, my liege.ELIZABETH Give me the lie? Opprobrious wretch! When did I order you To give the paper into Burleigh's hands?DAVISON Never expressly in so many words.ELIZABETH And, paltering villain I dare you then presume To construe, as you list, my words – and lay Your bloody meaning on them? Wo betide you, If evil come of this officious deed! Your life shall answer the event to me. Earl Shrewsbury, you see how my good name Has been abused!SHREWSBURY I see! Oh, God in heaven!ELIZABETH What say you?SHREWSBURY If the knight has dared to act In this, upon his own authority, Without the knowledge of your majesty, He must be cited to the Court of Peers To answer there for subjecting thy name To the abhorrence of all after time.SCENE XV
Enter BURLEIGH.
BURLEIGH (bowing his knee before the QUEEN) Long life and glory to my royal mistress, And may all enemies of her dominions End like this Stuart.[SHREWSBURY hides his face. DAVIDSON wrings his hands in despair.
ELIZABETH Speak, my lord; did you From me receive the warrant?BURLEIGH No, my queen; From Davison.ELIZABETH And did he in my name Deliver it?BURLEIGH No, that I cannot say.ELIZABETH And dared you then to execute the writ Thus hastily, nor wait to know my pleasure? Just was the sentence – we are free from blame Before the world; yet it behooved thee not To intercept our natural clemency. For this, my lord, I banish you my presence; And as this forward will was yours alone Bear you alone the curse of the misdeed
