GARDINER. I think she means to counsel your withdrawing To Ashridge, or some other country house.

ELIZABETH. Why, my lord Bishop?

GARDINER. I do but bring the message, know no more.

Your Grace will hear her reasons from herself.

ELIZABETH. 'Tis mine own wish fulfill'd before the word Was spoken, for in truth I had meant to crave Permission of her Highness to retire To Ashridge, and pursue my studies there.

GARDINER. Madam, to have the wish before the word Is man's good Fairy--and the Queen is yours.

I left her with rich jewels in her hand, Whereof 'tis like enough she means to make A farewell present to your Grace.

ELIZABETH. My Lord, I have the jewel of a loyal heart.

GARDINER. I doubt it not, Madam, most loyal.

[_Bows low and exit_.

HOWARD. See, This comes of parleying with my Lord of Devon.

Well, well, you must obey; and I myself Believe it will be better for your welfare.

Your time will come.

ELIZABETH. I think my time will come.

Uncle, I am of sovereign nature, that I know, Not to be quell'd; and I have felt within me Stirrings of some great doom when G.o.d's just hour Peals--but this fierce old Gardiner--his big baldness, That irritable forelock which he rubs, His buzzard beak and deep-incavern'd eyes Half fright me.

HOWARD. You've a bold heart; keep it so.

He cannot touch you save that you turn traitor; And so take heed I pray you--you are one Who love that men should smile upon you, niece.

They'd smile you into treason--some of them.

ELIZABETH. I spy the rock beneath the smiling sea.

But if this Philip, the proud Catholic prince, And this bald priest, and she that hates me, seek In that lone house, to practise on my life, By poison, fire, shot, stab--

HOWARD. They will not, niece.

Mine is the fleet and all the power at sea-- Or will be in a moment. If they dared To harm you, I would blow this Philip and all Your trouble to the dogstar and the devil.

ELIZABETH. To the Pleiads, uncle; they have lost a sister.

HOWARD. But why say that? what have you done to lose her?

Come, come, I will go with you to the Queen.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE V.--A ROOM IN THE PALACE.

MARY _with_ PHILIP'S _miniature_. ALICE.

MARY (_kissing the miniature_).

Most goodly, King-like and an Emperor's son,-- A king to be,--is he not n.o.ble, girl?

ALICE. Goodly enough, your Grace, and yet, methinks, I have seen goodlier.

MARY. Ay; some waxen doll Thy baby eyes have rested on, belike; All red and white, the fashion of our land.

But my good mother came (G.o.d rest her soul) Of Spain, and I am Spanish in myself, And in my likings.

ALICE. By your Grace's leave Your royal mother came of Spain, but took To the English red and white. Your royal father (For so they say) was all pure lily and rose In his youth, and like a lady.

MARY. O, just G.o.d!

Sweet mother, you had time and cause enough To sicken of his lilies and his roses.

Cast off, betray'd, defamed, divorced, forlorn!

And then the King--that traitor past forgiveness, The false archbishop fawning on him, married The mother of Elizabeth--a heretic Ev'n as _she_ is; but G.o.d hath sent me here To take such order with all heretics That it shall be, before I die, as tho'

My father and my brother had not lived.

What wast thou saying of this Lady Jane, Now in the Tower?

ALICE. Why, Madam, she was pa.s.sing Some chapel down in Ess.e.x, and with her Lady Anne Wharton, and the Lady Anne Bow'd to the Pyx; but Lady Jane stood up Stiff as the very backbone of heresy.

And wherefore bow ye not, says Lady Anne, To him within there who made Heaven and Earth?

I cannot, and I dare not, tell your Grace What Lady Jane replied.

MARY. But I will have it.

ALICE. She said--pray pardon me, and pity her-- She hath harken'd evil counsel--ah! she said, The baker made him.

MARY. Monstrous! blasphemous!

She ought to burn. Hence, thou (_Exit_ ALICE). No--being traitor Her head will fall: shall it? she is but a child.

We do not kill the child for doing that His father whipt him into doing--a head So full of grace and beauty! would that mine Were half as gracious! O, my lord to be, My love, for thy sake only.

I am eleven years older than he is.

But will he care for that?

No, by the holy Virgin, being n.o.ble, But love me only: then the b.a.s.t.a.r.d sprout, My sister, is far fairer than myself.

Will he be drawn to her?

No, being of the true faith with myself.

Paget is for him--for to wed with Spain Would treble England--Gardiner is against him; The Council, people, Parliament against him; But I will have him! My hard father hated me; My brother rather hated me than loved; My sister cowers and hates me. Holy Virgin, Plead with thy blessed Son; grant me my prayer: Give me my Philip; and we two will lead The living waters of the Faith again Back thro' their widow'd channel here, and watch The parch'd banks rolling incense, as of old, To heaven, and kindled with the palms of Christ!

_Enter_ USHER.

Who waits, sir?

USHER. Madam, the Lord Chancellor.

MARY. Bid him come in. (_Enter_ GARDINER.) Good morning, my good Lord.

[_Exit_ USHER.

GARDINER. That every morning of your Majesty May be most good, is every morning's prayer Of your most loyal subject, Stephen Gardiner.

MARY. Come you to tell me this, my Lord?

GARDINER. And more.

Your people have begun to learn your worth.

Your pious wish to pay King Edward's debts, Your lavish household curb'd, and the remission Of half that subsidy levied on the people, Make all tongues praise and all hearts beat for you.