Give me that light: this way.

CHASTELARD.

What jest is here, fair ladies? it walks late, Something too late for laughing.

MARY SEYTON.

Nay, fair sir, What jest is this of yours? Look to your lady: She is nigh swooned. The queen shall know all this.

MARY HAMILTON.

A grievous shame it is we are fallen upon; Hold forth the light. Is this your care of us?

Nay, come, look up: this is no game, God wot.

CHASTELARD.

Shame shall befall them that speak shamefully: I swear this lady is as pure and good As any maiden, and who believes me not Shall keep the shame for his part and the lie.

To them that come in honor and not in hate I will make answer. Lady, have good heart.

Give me the light there: I will see you forth.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

DARNLEY.

SCENE I.--The great Chamber in Holyrood.

The QUEEN and MARY SEYTON.

QUEEN.

But will you swear it?

MARY SEYTON.

Swear it, madam?

QUEEN.

Ay-- Swear it.

MARY SEYTON.

Madam, I am not friends with them.

QUEEN.

Swear then against them if you are not friends.

MARY SEYTON.

Indeed I saw them kiss.

QUEEN.

So lovers use-- What, their mouths close? a goodly way of love!

Or but the hands? or on her throat? Prithee-- You have sworn that.

MARY SEYTON.

I say what I saw done.

QUEEN.

Ay, you did see her cheeks (God smite them red!) Kissed either side? what, they must eat strange food Those singing lips of his?

MARY SEYTON.

Sweet meat enough-- They started at my coming five yards off, But there they were.

QUEEN.

A maid may have kissed cheeks And no shame in them--yet one would not swear.

You have sworn that. Pray God he be not mad: A sickness in his eyes. The left side love (I was told that) and the right courtesy.

'T is good fools' fashion. What, no more but this?

For me, God knows I am no whit wroth; not I; But, for your fame's sake that her shame will sting, I cannot see a way to pardon her-- For your fame's sake, lest that be prated of.

MARY SEYTON.

Nay, if she were not chaste--I have not said She was not chaste.

QUEEN.

I know you are tender of her; And your sweet word will hardly turn her sweet.

MARY SEYTON.

Indeed I would fain do her any good.

Shall I not take some gracious word to her?

QUEEN.

Bid her not come or wait on me to-day.

MARY SEYTON.

Will you see him?

QUEEN.

See--O, this Chastelard?

He doth not well to sing maids into shame; And folk are sharp here; yet for sweet friends' sake Assuredly I 'll see him. I am not wroth.

A goodly man, and a good sword thereto-- It may be he shall wed her. I am not wroth.

MARY SEYTON.

Nay, though she bore with him, she hath no great love, I doubt me, that way.

QUEEN.

God mend all, I pray-- And keep us from all wrongdoing and wild words.

I think there is no fault men fall upon But I could pardon. Look you, I would swear She were no paramour for any man, So well I love her.

MARY SEYTON.

Am I to bid him in?