But, I repeat it, my confession's ended.

MELVIL.

Consider well--the heart is a deceiver.

Thou hast, perhaps, with sly equivocation, The word avoided, which would make thee guilty Although thy will was party to the crime.

Remember, that no juggler's tricks can blind The eye of fire which darts through every breast.

MARY.

'Tis true that I have called upon all princes To free me from unworthy chains; yet 'tis As true that, neither by intent or deed, Have I attempted my oppressor's life.

MELVIL.

Your secretaries then have witnessed falsely.

MARY.

It is as I have said;--what they have witnessed The Lord will judge.

MELVIL.

Thou mountest, then, satisfied Of thy own innocence, the fatal scaffold?

MARY.

G.o.d suffers me in mercy to atone, By undeserved death, my youth's transgressions.

MELVIL (making over her the sign of the cross).

Go, then, and expiate them all by death; Sink a devoted victim on the altar, Thus shall thy blood atone the blood thou'st spilt.

From female frailty were derived thy faults, Free from the weakness of mortality, The spotless spirit seeks the blest abodes.

Now, then, by the authority which G.o.d Hath unto me committed, I absolve thee From all thy sins; be as thy faith thy welfare!

[He gives her the host.

Receive the body which for thee was offered--

[He takes the cup which stands upon the table, consecrates it with silent prayer, then presents it to her; she hesitates to take it, and makes signs to him to withdraw it.

Receive the blood which for thy sins was shed, Receive it; 'tis allowed thee by the pope To exercise in death the highest office Of kings, the holy office of the priesthood.

[She takes the cup.

And as thou now, in this his earthly body Hast held with G.o.d mysterious communion, So may'st thou henceforth, in his realm of joy, Where sin no more exists, nor tears of woe, A fair, transfigured spirit, join thyself Forever with the G.o.dhead, and forever.

[He sets down the cup; hearing a noise, he covers his head, and goes to the door; MARY remains in silent devotion on her knees.

MELVIL (returning).

A painful conflict is in store for thee.

Feel'st thou within thee strength enough to smother Each impulse of malignity and hate?

MARY.

I fear not a relapse. I have to G.o.d Devoted both my hatred and my love.

MELVIL.

Well, then, prepare thee to receive my Lords Of Leicester and of Burleigh. They are here.

SCENE VIII.

Enter BURLEIGH, LEICESTER, and PAULET.

[LEICESTER remains in the background, without raising his eyes; BURLEIGH, who remarks his confusion, steps between him and the QUEEN.

BURLEIGH.

I come, my Lady Stuart, to receive Your last commands and wishes.

MARY.

Thanks, my lord.

BURLEIGH.

It is the pleasure of my royal mistress That nothing reasonable be denied you.

MARY.

My will, my lord, declares my last desires; I've placed it in the hand of Sir Amias, And humbly beg that it may be fulfilled.

PAULET.

You may rely on this.

MARY.

I beg that all My servants unmolested may return To France, or Scotland, as their wishes lead.

BURLEIGH.

It shall be as you wish.

MARY.

And since my body Is not to rest in consecrated ground, I pray you suffer this my faithful servant To bear my heart to France, to my relations-- Alas! 'twas ever there.

BURLEIGH.

It shall be done.

What wishes else?

MARY.

Unto her majesty Of England bear a sister's salutation; Tell her that from the bottom of my heart I pardon her my death; most humbly, too, I crave her to forgive me for the pa.s.sion With which I spoke to her. May G.o.d preserve her And bless her with a long and prosperous reign.

BURLEIGH.

Say, do you still adhere to your resolve, And still refuse a.s.sistance from the dean?

MARY.

My lord, I've made my peace with G.o.d.

[To PAULET.

Good sir, I have unwittingly caused you much sorrow, Bereft you of your age's only stay.

Oh, let me hope you do not hate my name.