LEICESTER, BURLEIGH.

LEICESTER.

And thus you loose yourself the knot of union Which you officiously, uncalled for, bound!

You have deserved but little of your country, My lord; this trouble was superfluous.

BURLEIGH.

My aim was good, though fate declared against it; Happy is he who has so fair a conscience!

LEICESTER.

Well know we the mysterious mien of Burleigh When he is on the hunt for deeds of treason.

Now you are in your element, my lord; A monstrous outrage has been just committed, And darkness veils as yet its perpetrators: Now will a court of inquisition rise; Each word, each look be weighed; men's very thoughts Be summoned to the bar. You are, my lord, The mighty man, the Atlas of the state, All England's weight lies upon your shoulders.

BURLEIGH.

In you, my lord, I recognize my master; For such a victory as your eloquence Has gained I cannot boast.

LEICESTER.

What means your lordship?

BURLEIGH.

You were the man who knew, behind my back, To lure the queen to Fotheringay Castle.

LEICESTER.

Behind your back! When did I fear to act Before your face?

BURLEIGH.

You led her majesty?

Oh, no--you led her not--it was the queen Who was so gracious as to lead you thither.

LEICESTER.

What mean you, my lord, by that?

BURLEIGH.

The n.o.ble part You forced the queen to play! The glorious triumph Which you prepared for her! Too gracious princess!

So shamelessly, so wantonly to mock Thy unsuspecting goodness, to betray thee So pitiless to thy exulting foe!

This, then, is the magnanimity, the grace Which suddenly possessed you in the council!

The Stuart is for this so despicable, So weak an enemy, that it would scarce Be worth the pains to stain us with her blood.

A specious plan! and sharply pointed too; 'Tis only pity this sharp point is broken.

LEICESTER.

Unworthy wretch! this instant follow me, And answer at the throne this insolence.

BURLEIGH.

You'll find me there, my lord; and look you well That there your eloquence desert you not.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

LEICESTER alone, then MORTIMER.

LEICESTER.

I am detected! All my plot's disclosed!

How has my evil genius tracked my steps!

Alas! if he has proofs, if she should learn That I have held a secret correspondence With her worst enemy; how criminal Shall I appear to her! How false will then My counsel seem, and all the fatal pains I took to lure the queen to Fotheringay!

I've shamefully betrayed, I have exposed her To her detested enemy's revilings!

Oh! never, never can she pardon that.

All will appear as if premeditated.

The bitter turn of this sad interview, The triumph and the tauntings of her rival; Yes, e'en the murderous hand which had prepared A b.l.o.o.d.y, monstrous, unexpected fate; All, all will be ascribed to my suggestions!

I see no rescue! nowhere--ha! Who comes?

[MORTIMER enters in the most violent uneasiness, and looks with apprehension round him.

MORTIMER.

Lord Leicester! Is it you! Are we alone?

LEICESTER.

Ill-fated wretch, away! What seek you here?

MORTIMER.

They are upon our track--upon yours, too; Be vigilant!

LEICESTER.

Away, away!

MORTIMER.

They know That private conferences have been held At Aubespine's----

LEICESTER.

What's that to me?

MORTIMER.

They know, too, That the a.s.sa.s.sin----

LEICESTER.

That is your affair-- Audacious wretch! to dare to mix my name In your detested outrage: go; defend Your b.l.o.o.d.y deeds yourself!

MORTIMER.

But only hear me.

LEICESTER (violently enraged).

Down, down to h.e.l.l! Why cling you at my heels Like an infernal spirit! I disclaim you; I know you not; I make no common cause With murderers!

MORTIMER.

You will not hear me, then!

I came to warn you; you too are detected.