ELIZABETH.

My pleasure is that this unhappy business Be no more mentioned to me; that at last I may be freed from it, and that forever.

DAVISON.

It costs you but a word--determine then What shall I do with this mysterious scroll?

ELIZABETH.

I have declared it, plague me, sir, no longer.

DAVISON.

You have declared it, say you? Oh, my queen, You have said nothing. Please, my gracious mistress, But to remember----

ELIZABETH (stamps on the ground).

Insupportable!

DAVISON.

Oh, be indulgent to me! I have entered Unwittingly, not many months ago, Upon this office; I know not the language Of courts and kings. I ever have been reared In simple, open wise, a plain blunt man.

Be patient with me; nor deny your servant A light to lead him clearly to his duty.

[He approaches her in a supplicating posture, she turns her back on him; he stands in despair; then speaks with a tone of resolution.

Take, take again this paper--take it back!

Within my hands it is a glowing fire.

Select not me, my queen; select not me To serve you in this terrible conjecture.

ELIZABETH.

Go, sir;--fulfil the duty of your office.

[Exit.

SCENE XII.

DAVISON, then BURLEIGH.

DAVISON.

She goes! She leaves me doubting and perplexed With this dread paper! How to act I know not; Should I retain it, should I forward it?

[To BURLEIGH, who enters.

Oh! I am glad that you are come, my lord, 'Tis you who have preferred me to this charge; Now free me from it, for I undertook it, Unknowing how responsible it made me.

Let me then seek again the obscurity In which you found me; this is not my place.

BURLEIGH.

How now? Take courage, sir! Where is the warrant?

The queen was with you.

DAVISON.

She has quitted me In bitter anger. Oh, advise me, help me, Save me from this fell agony of doubt!

My lord, here is the warrant: it is signed!

BURLEIGH.

Indeed! Oh, give it, give it me!

DAVISON.

I may not.

BURLEIGH.

How!

DAVISON.

She has not yet explained her final will.

BURLEIGH.

Explained! She has subscribed it;--give it to me.

DAVISON.

I am to execute it, and I am not.

Great heavens! I know not what I am to do!

BURLEIGH (urging more violently).

It must be now, this moment, executed.

The warrant, sir. You're lost if you delay.

DAVISON.

So am I also if I act too rashly.

BURLEIGH.

What strange infatuation. Give it me.

[s.n.a.t.c.hes the paper from him, and exit with it.

DAVISON.

What would you? Hold? You will be my destruction.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

The Scene the same as in the First Act.

HANNAH KENNEDY in deep mourning, her eyes still red from weeping, in great but quiet anguish, is employed in sealing letters and parcels. Her sorrow often interrupts her occupation, and she is seen at such intervals to pray in silence. PAULET and DRURY, also in mourning, enter, followed by many servants, who bear golden and silver vessels, mirrors, paintings, and other valuables, and fill the back part of the stage with them. PAULET delivers to the NURSE a box of jewels and a paper, and seems to inform her by signs that it contains the inventory of the effects the QUEEN had brought with her. At the sight of these riches, the anguish of the NURSE is renewed; she sinks into a deep, glowing melancholy, during which DRURY, PAULET, and the servants silently retire.

MELVIL enters.