Part 372 (1/2)

MORTIMER.

What are these fears? What are you dreaming of?

PAULET.

How high soever the queen may pledge herself To raise you, trust not her alluring words.

[The spirit of the world's a lying spirit, And vice is a deceitful, treacherous friend.]

She will deny you, if you listen to her; And, to preserve her own good name, will punish The b.l.o.o.d.y deed, which she herself enjoined.

MORTIMER.

The b.l.o.o.d.y deed!----

PAULET.

Away, dissimulation!-- I know the deed the queen proposed to you.

She hopes that your ambitious youth will prove More docile than my rigid age. But say, Have you then pledged your promise, have you?

MORTIMER.

Uncle!

PAULET.

If you have done so, I abandon you, And lay my curse upon you----

LEICESTER (entering).

Worthy sir!

I with your nephew wish a word. The queen Is graciously inclined to him; she wills That to his custody the Scottish queen Be with full powers intrusted. She relies On his fidelity.

PAULET.

Relies!--'tis well----

LEICESTER.

What say you, sir?

PAULET.

Her majesty relies On him; and I, my n.o.ble lord, rely Upon myself, and my two open eyes.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

LEICESTER, MORTIMER.

LEICESTER (surprised).

What ailed the knight?

MORTIMER.

My lord, I cannot tell What angers him: the confidence, perhaps, The queen so suddenly confers on me.

LEICESTER.

Are you deserving then of confidence?