Part 360 (1/2)

I cannot tell.

MARY.

Am I condemned?

PAULET.

I cannot answer, lady.

MARY.

[Sir, a good work fears not the light of day.

PAULET.

The day will s.h.i.+ne upon it, doubt it not.]

MARY.

Despatch is here the fas.h.i.+on. Is it meant The murderer shall surprise me, like the judges?

PAULET.

Still entertain that thought and he will find you Better prepared to meet your fate than they did.

MARY (after a pause).

Sir, nothing can surprise me which a court Inspired by Burleigh's hate and Hatton's zeal, Howe'er unjust, may venture to p.r.o.nounce: But I have yet to learn how far the queen Will dare in execution of the sentence.

PAULET.

The sovereigns of England have no fear But for their conscience and their parliament.

What justice hath decreed her fearless hand Will execute before the a.s.sembled world.

SCENE III.

The same. MORTIMER enters, and without paying attention to the QUEEN, addresses PAULET.

MORTIMER.

Uncle, you're sought for.

[He retires in the same manner. The QUEEN remarks it, and turns towards PAULET, who is about to follow him.

MARY.

Sir, one favor more If you have aught to say to me--from you I can bear much--I reverence your gray hairs; But cannot bear that young man's insolence; Spare me in future his unmannered rudeness.

PAULET.

I prize him most for that which makes you hate him He is not, truly, one of those poor fools Who melt before a woman's treacherous tears.

He has seen much--has been to Rheims and Paris, And brings us back his true old English heart.

Lady, your cunning arts are lost on him.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

MARY, KENNEDY.

KENNEDY.

And dare the ruffian venture to your face Such language! Oh, 'tis hard--'tis past endurance.