Mary Stuart: A Tragedy Part 17

LEICESTER.

I see the trammels that are spread around us.

MORTIMER.

And I feel courage to break through them all.

LEICESTER.

Foolhardiness and madness, is this courage?

MORTIMER.

This prudence is not bravery, my lord.

LEICESTER.

You surely wish to end like Babington.

MORTIMER.

You not to imitate great Norfolk's virtue.

LEICESTER.

Norfolk ne'er won the bride he wooed so fondly.

MORTIMER.

But yet he proved how truly he deserved her.

LEICESTER.

If we are ruined, she must fall with us.

MORTIMER.

If we risk nothing, she will ne'er be rescued.

LEICESTER.

You will not weigh the matter, will not hear; With blind and hasty rashness you destroy The plans which I so happily had framed.

MORTIMER.

And what were then the plans which you had framed?

What have you done then to deliver her?

And how, if I were miscreant enough To murder her, as was proposed to me This moment by Elizabeth, and which She looks upon as certain; only name The measures you have taken to protect her?

LEICESTER.

Did the queen give you, then, this b.l.o.o.d.y order?

MORTIMER.

She was deceived in me, as Mary is in you.

LEICESTER.

And have you promised it? Say, have you?

MORTIMER.

That she might not engage another's hand, I offered mine.

LEICESTER.

Well done, sir; that was right; This gives us leisure, for she rests secure Upon your b.l.o.o.d.y service, and the sentence Is unfulfilled the while, and we gain time.

MORTIMER (angrily).

No, we are losing time.

LEICESTER.

The queen depends On you, and will the readier make a show Of mercy; and I may prevail on her To give an audience to her adversary; And by this stratagem we tie her hands Yes! I will make the attempt, strain every nerve.

MORTIMER.

And what is gained by this? When she discovers That I am cheating her, that Mary lives; Are we not where we were? She never will Be free; the mildest doom which can await her At best is but perpetual confinement.

A daring deed must one day end the matter; Why will you not with such a deed begin?

The power is in your hands, would you but rouse The might of your dependents round about Your many castles, 'twere an host; and still Has Mary many secret friends. The Howards And Percies' n.o.ble houses, though their chiefs Be fallen, are rich in heroes; they but wait For the example of some potent lord.

Away with feigning--act an open part, And, like a loyal knight, protect your fair; Fight a good fight for her! You know you are Lord of the person of the Queen of England, Whene'er you will: invite her to your castle, Oft hath she thither followed you--then show That you're a man; then speak as master; keep her Confined till she release the Queen of Scots.

LEICESTER.

I am astonished--I am terrified!

Where would your giddy madness hurry you?

Are you acquainted with this country? Know you The deeps and shallows of this court? With what A potent spell this female sceptre binds And rules men's spirits round her? 'Tis in vain You seek the heroic energy which once Was active in this land! it is subdued, A woman holds it under lock and key, And every spring of courage is relaxed.

Follow my counsel--venture nothing rashly.

Some one approaches-go----

MORTIMER.

And Mary hopes-- Shall I return to her with empty comfort?

LEICESTER.

Bear her my vows of everlasting love.

MORTIMER.

Bear them yourself! I offered my a.s.sistance As her deliverer, not your messenger.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

ELIZABETH, LEICESTER.

ELIZABETH.

Say, who was here? I heard the sound of voices.

LEICESTER (turning quickly and perplexed round on hearing the QUEEN).

It was young Mortimer----

ELIZABETH.

How now, my lord: Why so confused?

LEICESTER (collecting himself).

Your presence is the cause.