Part 374 (1/2)

You wish to rescue Mary, and possess her; You find confederates; sudden, unexpected, The readiest means fall, as it were from Heaven, Yet you show more perplexity than joy.

LEICESTER.

We must avoid all violence; it is Too dangerous an enterprise.

MORTIMER.

Delay Is also dangerous.

LEICESTER.

I tell you, Sir, 'Tis not to be attempted----

MORTIMER.

My lord, Too hazardous for you, who would possess her; But we, who only wish to rescue her, We are more bold.

LEICESTER.

Young man, you are too hasty In such a th.o.r.n.y, dangerous attempt.

MORTIMER.

And you too scrupulous in honor's cause.

LEICESTER.

I see the trammels that are spread around us.

MORTIMER.

And I feel courage to break through them all.

LEICESTER.

Foolhardiness and madness, is this courage?

MORTIMER.

This prudence is not bravery, my lord.

LEICESTER.

You surely wish to end like Babington.

MORTIMER.

You not to imitate great Norfolk's virtue.

LEICESTER.

Norfolk ne'er won the bride he wooed so fondly.

MORTIMER.

But yet he proved how truly he deserved her.

LEICESTER.

If we are ruined, she must fall with us.

MORTIMER.

If we risk nothing, she will ne'er be rescued.

LEICESTER.

You will not weigh the matter, will not hear; With blind and hasty rashness you destroy The plans which I so happily had framed.

MORTIMER.