The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 365

I wished not that:--I wished it not, by Heaven!

When did I strive at that? Where are your proofs?

BURLEIGH.

I came not hither to dispute; your cause Is no more subject to a war of words.

The great majority of forty voices Hath found that you have contravened the law Last year enacted, and have now incurred Its penalty.

[Producing the verdict.

MARY.

Upon this statute, then, My lord, is built the verdict of my judges?

BURLEIGH (reading).

Last year it was enacted, "If a plot Henceforth should rise in England, in the name Or for the benefit of any claimant To England's crown, that justice should be done On such pretender, and the guilty party Be prosecuted unto death." Now, since It has been proved----

MARY.

Lord Burleigh, I can well Imagine that a law expressly aimed At me, and framed to compa.s.s my destruction May to my prejudice be used. Oh! Woe To the unhappy victim, when the tongue That frames the law shall execute the sentence.

Can you deny it, sir, that this same statute Was made for my destruction, and naught else?

BURLEIGH.

It should have acted as a warning to you: By your imprudence it became a snare.

You saw the precipice which yawned before you; Yet, truly warned, you plunged into the deep.

With Babington, the traitor, and his bands Of murderous companions, were you leagued.

You knew of all, and from your prison led Their treasonous plottings with a deep-laid plan.

MARY.

When did I that, my lord? Let them produce The doc.u.ments.

BURLEIGH.

You have already seen them They were before the court, presented to you.

MARY.

Mere copies written by another hand; Show me the proof that they were dictated By me, that they proceeded from my lips, And in those very terms in which you read them.

BURLEIGH.

Before his execution, Babington Confessed they were the same which he received.

MARY.

Why was he in his lifetime not produced Before my face? Why was he then despatched So quickly that he could not be confronted With her whom he accused?

BURLEIGH.

Besides, my lady, Your secretaries, Curl and Nau, declare On oath, they are the very selfsame letters Which from your lips they faithfully transcribed.

MARY.

And on my menials' testimony, then, I am condemned; upon the word of those Who have betrayed me, me, their rightful queen!

Who in that very moment, when they came As witnesses against me, broke their faith!

BURLEIGH.

You said yourself, you held your countryman To be an upright, conscientious man.

MARY.

I thought him such; but 'tis the hour of danger Alone, which tries the virtue of a man.

[He ever was an honest man, but weak In understanding; and his subtle comrade, Whose faith, observe, I never answered for, Might easily seduce him to write down More than he should;] the rack may have compelled him To say and to confess more than he knew.

He hoped to save himself by this false witness, And thought it could not injure me--a queen.

BURLEIGH.

The oath he swore was free and unconstrained.

MARY.

But not before my face! How now, my lord?

The witnesses you name are still alive; Let them appear against me face to face, And there repeat what they have testified.

Why am I then denied that privilege, That right which e'en the murderer enjoys?

I know from Talbot's mouth, my former keeper, That in this reign a statute has been pa.s.sed Which orders that the plaintiff be confronted With the defendant; is it so, good Paulet?

I e'er have known you as an honest man; Now prove it to me; tell me, on your conscience, If such a law exist or not in England?

PAULET.

Madam, there does: that is the law in England.

I must declare the truth.

MARY.

Well, then, my lord, If I am treated by the law of England So hardly, when that law oppresses me, Say, why avoid this selfsame country's law, When 'tis for my advantage? Answer me; Why was not Babington confronted with me?

Why not my servants, who are both alive?

BURLEIGH.

Be not so hasty, lady; 'tis not only Your plot with Babington----

MARY.

'Tis that alone Which arms the law against me; that alone From which I'm called upon to clear myself.

Stick to the point, my lord; evade it not.

BURLEIGH.

It has been proved that you have corresponded With the amba.s.sador of Spain, Mendoza----

MARY.

Stick to the point, my lord.

BURLEIGH.

That you have formed Conspiracies to overturn the fixed Religion of the realm; that you have called Into this kingdom foreign powers, and roused All kings in Europe to a war with England.

MARY.

And were it so, my lord--though I deny it-- But e'en suppose it were so: I am kept Imprisoned here against all laws of nations.

I came not into England sword in hand; I came a suppliant; and at the hands Of my imperial kinswoman I claimed The sacred rights of hospitality, When power seized upon me, and prepared To rivet fetters where I hoped protection.

Say, is my conscience bound, then, to this realm?

What are the duties that I owe to England?

I should but exercise a sacred right, Derived from sad necessity, if I Warred with these bonds, encountered might with might, Roused and incited every state in Europe For my protection to unite in arms.

Whatever in a rightful war is just And loyal, 'tis my right to exercise: Murder alone, the secret, b.l.o.o.d.y deed, My conscience and my pride alike forbid.

Murder would stain me, would dishonor me: Dishonor me, my lord, but not condemn me, Nor subject me to England's courts of law: For 'tis not justice, but mere violence, Which is the question 'tween myself and England.

BURLEIGH (significantly).

Talk not, my lady, of the dreadful right Of power: 'tis seldom on the prisoner's side.