Farewell. I would such things were not to do, Or not for me; yea, not for any man.

[Exit.]

QUEEN.

Alas, what honor have I to give thanks?

I would he had denied me: I had held my peace Thenceforth forever; but he wrung out the word, Caught it before my lip, was fain of it-- It was his fault to put it in my mind, Yea, and to feign a loathing of his fault.

Now is he about devising my love's death, And nothing loth. Nay, since he must needs die, Would he were dead and come alive again And I might keep him safe. He doth live now And I may do what love I will to him; But by to-morrow he will be stark dead, Stark slain and dead; and for no sort of love Will he so much as kiss me half a kiss.

Were this to do I would not do it again.

[Reenter MURRAY.]

What, have you taken order? is it done?

It were impossible to do so soon.

Nay, answer me.

MURRAY.

Madam, I will not do it.

QUEEN.

How did you say? I pray, sir, speak again: I know not what you said.

MURRAY.

I say I will not; I have thought thereof, and have made up my heart To have no part in this: look you to it.

QUEEN.

O, for God's sake! you will not have me shamed?

MURRAY.

I will not dip my hand into your sin.

QUEEN.

It were a good deed to deliver me; I am but a woman, of one blood with you, A feeble woman; put me not to shame; I pray you of your pity do me right.

Yea, and no fleck of blood shall cleave to you For a just deed.

MURRAY.

I know not; I will none.

QUEEN.

O, you will never let him speak to them To put me in such shame? why, I should die Out of pure shame and mine own burning blood; Yea, my face feels the shame lay hold on it, I am half burnt already in my thought; Take pity of me. Think how shame slays a man; How shall I live then? would you have me dead?

I pray you for our dead dear father's sake, Let not men mock at me. Nay, if he speak, I shall be sung in mine own towns. Have pity.

What, will you let men stone me in the ways?

MURRAY.

Madam, I shall take pains the best I may To save your honor, and what thing lieth in me That will I do, but no close manslayings.

I will not have God's judgment gripe my throat When I am dead, to hale me into hell For a man's sake slain on this wise. Take heed.

See you to that.

[Exit.]

QUEEN.

One of you maidens there Bid my lord hither. Now by Mary's soul, He shall not die and bring me into shame.

There's treason in you like a fever, hot, My holy-natured brother, cheek and eye; You look red through with it: sick, honor-sick, Specked with the blain of treason, leper-like-- A scrupulous fair traitor with clean lips-- If one should sue to hell to do him good He were as brotherly holpen as I am.

This man must live and say no harm of me; I may reprieve and cast him forth; yea, so-- This were the best; or if he die midway-- Yea, anything, so that he die not here.

[To the MARIES within.]

Fetch hither Darnley. Nay, ye gape on me-- What, doth he sleep, or feeds, or plays at games?

Why, I would see him; I am weary for his sake; Bid my lord in.-Nathless he will but chide; Nay, fleer and laugh: what should one say to him?

There were some word if one could hit on it; Some way to close with him: I wot not.-Sir,

[Enter DARNLEY.]

Please it your love I have a suit to you.

DARNLEY.

What sort of suit?

QUEEN.

Nay, if you be not friends-- I have no suit towards mine enemies.

DARNLEY.

Eh, do I look now like your enemy?

QUEEN.

You have a way of peering under brow I do not like. If you see anything In me that irks you I will painfully Labor to lose it: do but show me favor, And as I am your faithful humble wife This foolishness shall be removed in me.

DARNLEY.

Why do you laugh and mock me with stretched hands?

Faith, I see no such thing.

QUEEN.

That is well seen.

Come, I will take my heart between my lips, Use it not hardly. Sir, my suit begins; That you would please to make me that I am, (In sooth I think I am) mistress and queen Of mine own people.

DARNLEY.

Why, this is no suit; This is a simple matter, and your own.

QUEEN.

It was, before God made you king of me.

DARNLEY.

No king, by God's grace; were I such a king I'd sell my kingdom for six roods of rye.

QUEEN.

You are too sharp upon my words; I would Have leave of you to free a man condemned.

DARNLEY.

What man is that, sweet?