Permit me, in this weighty act, to be Your pa.s.sive instrument, without a will:-- Tell me in plain, undoubted terms your pleasure, What with the b.l.o.o.d.y mandate I should do.

ELIZABETH.

Its name declares its meaning.

DAVISON.

Do you, then, My liege, command its instant execution?

ELIZABETH.

I said not that; I tremble but to think it.

DAVISON.

Shall I retain it, then, 'till further orders?

ELIZABETH.

At your own risk; you answer the event.

DAVISON.

I! gracious heavens! Oh, speak, my queen, your pleasure!

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.