"A man of power and wealth, to be reclaim'd, "For his own sake, as well as for the queen's :" And should he plunge himself too deep in this, England may chance to lose the best of men. Cec. The queen's peculiar safety be thy care; And what thou hear'st inform me of: I'll act Dav Not Cromwell ever trod with so much care The Scottish regent yesterday arriv'd, With new discover'd plots to accuse his queen : The man I speak of. Cec. Wait you on the queen. Enter NORFOLK. -Behold 60 [Exit Dav. Your Grace is welcome from the queen of Scotland. "Nor. Dost thou pity her? "Oh, let me fly, and hold thee to my bosom, "Closer, and far more dear than ever bride "Was held by hasty bridegroom in his arms! "Cec. My lord, you make me blush. Nor. "Should the hyena thus bemoan, "And thus the neighbouring rocks but echo him, "My queen, I would devour the precious sound, "And thus embrace him from whose lips it came, "Tho' wide and gaping as the mouth of hell.” My lord, I came to seek you; I've a secret T' unfold, which, while I keep it, weighs me down, And when 'tis out, I fear it will undo me. 81 Cec. Then hold it in your breast; let me not know What is not fit for you to speak, nor me to hear. Nor. Now, only now's the time; the traitor, Morton, The false, usurping regent, is return'd, With all the magazine of hell about him. Nor. First wear the looks of mildness, Nor. Wilt thou forgive my bold aspiring hopes "Nor. How should she be beloved, "But as mild saints do to their altars bow, "And human patriarchs kiss the copes of angels ? "Cec. Love her! for what?" Nor. Not for a crown, I swear. Oh, hadst thou seen her in that plight as I did, Nor. You must; you shall; Nor let your ears be deaf alone, nice statesman! "And see yon chrystal champion o'er our heads, 66 Throng'd with immortal warriors to her aid, 101 "Whose voices, louder than the breath of thunder, "And swifter than the winds, proclaim" to "earth Bright" Mary's wrongs and my eternal love. Cec. My lord, you've said too much; I dare not hear you. Nor. Is pitying the distress'd, and loving her Whom none but envy hates, a crime? Cec. You would not marry her? Nor. Not marry her! Yes, tho' she stood on Ætna's sulphurous brink, 120 Cec. For pity, recollect your banish'd reason; And hopes to snatch it from her rightful head? Nor. By those eternal rays that bless the world, 'Tis malice foul, as that bright orb is clear. Oh, Cecil, tell me what thou truly think'st! "Thou hast a soul with shining wisdom crown'd, "Whose virtuous honest steps whoever tracks, "May challenge to be blest: Oh, tell me then!" Can Scotland's queen with such a guilt be stain'd? Cec. I dare not utter every thought that pains me, Nor can I longer with my oath dispense, An oath that charges me, for life, to hold 140 No dangerous secret from the queen-Farewel; too; "Therefore I came, that thou shouldst intercede," You, from whose lips the queen takes nothing ill. Cec. Not for the crown she wears, would I acquaint her. Beware ambition, sir; The queen has jealousy to give't a name, Disloyalty, ambition is the least. Nor. Rash man! thou wrong'st the faithfull'st of her subjects; I'd touch a scorpion rather than her sceptre : Her proud regalias are but glittering toys, And the least word, a smile from Scotland's queen, Is worth whole pyramids of royal lumber. We only ask for love and liberty: Give us but these, we'll quit her all the rest; Cec. My lord, consider what you'd have me sayI dare not speak nor think of it-Farewel. Nor. Tell her, or, by my desperate love, I swear, "I'll shout it in her ears, were she hemm'd in "With basilisks, or were she queen of furies; "Love, mighty love, should lead me and protect me. "And by those powers that pity the distress'd, "If she'll not hear me," I'll proclaim yet louder, And trumpet to the world the hated sound Of royal Mary's wrongs. [Going. Cec. My lord, my lord, come back; to save your life, (For nought but death can follow such a rashness) Restrain your passion but a few short moments, And I'll acquaint her favourite, Leicester, with it. 'Twill be more welcome from his mouth than mine; Him I will arm with reason for your sake, As shall the least incense the queen's displeasure. Queen ELIZABETH, Morton, DAVISON, women, gentlemen, guards, all discovered at the throne. Behold she appears; the Scottish regent too. Nor. Confusion seize him! Cec. Besure, my lord, Whate'er you see, and hear, contain yourself. Qu. El. Alas, my lords! when will you cease coniplaining? |