Mary Stuart | Page 4

memory--'tis this day?Another wretched anniversary?Of that regretted, that unhappy deed--?Which I must celebrate with fast and penance.
KENNEDY.?Dismiss at length in peace this evil spirit.?The penitence of many a heavy year,?Of many a suffering, has atoned the deed;?The church, which holds the key of absolution,?Pardons the crime, and heaven itself's appeased.
MARY.?This long-atoned crime arises fresh?And bleeding from its lightly-covered grave;?My husband's restless spirit seeks revenge;?No sacred bell can exorcise, no host?In priestly hands dismiss it to his tomb.
KENNEDY.?You did not murder him; 'twas done by others.
MARY.?But it was known to me; I suffered it,?And lured him with my smiles to death's embrace.
KENNEDY.?Your youth extenuates your guilt. You were?Of tender years.
MARY.
So tender, yet I drew?This heavy guilt upon my youthful head.
KENNEDY.?You were provoked by direst injuries,?And by the rude presumption of the man,?Whom out of darkness, like the hand of heaven,?Your love drew forth, and raised above all others.?Whom through your bridal chamber you conducted?Up to your throne, and with your lovely self,?And your hereditary crown, distinguished?[Your work was his existence, and your grace?Bedewed him like the gentle rains of heaven.]?Could he forget that his so splendid lot?Was the creation of your generous love??Yet did he, worthless as he was, forget it.?With base suspicions, and with brutal manners,?He wearied your affections, and became?An object to you of deserved disgust:?The illusion, which till now had overcast?Your judgment, vanished; angrily you fled?His foul embrace, and gave him up to scorn.?And did he seek again to win your love??Your favor? Did he e'er implore your pardon??Or fall in deep repentance at your feet??No; the base wretch defied you; he, who was?Your bounty's creature, wished to play your king,?[And strove, through fear, to force your inclination.]?Before your eyes he had your favorite singer,?Poor Rizzio, murdered; you did but avenge?With blood the bloody deed----
MARY.
And bloodily,?I fear, too soon 'twill be avenged on me:?You seek to comfort me, and you condemn me.
KENNEDY.?You were, when you consented to this deed,?No more yourself; belonged not to yourself;?The madness of a frantic love possessed you,?And bound you to a terrible seducer,?The wretched Bothwell. That despotic man?Ruled you with shameful, overbearing will,?And with his philters and his hellish arts?Inflamed your passions.
MARY.
All the arts he used?Were man's superior strength and woman's weakness.
KENNEDY.?No, no, I say. The most pernicious spirits?Of hell he must have summoned to his aid,?To cast this mist before your waking senses.?Your ear no more was open to the voice?Of friendly warning, and your eyes were shut?To decency; soft female bashfulness?Deserted you; those cheeks, which were before?The seat of virtuous, blushing modesty,?Glowed with the flames of unrestrained desire.?You cast away the veil of secrecy,?And the flagitious daring of the man?O'ercame your natural coyness: you exposed?Your shame, unblushingly, to public gaze:?You let the murderer, whom the people followed?With curses, through the streets of Edinburgh,?Before you bear the royal sword of Scotland?In triumph. You begirt your parliament?With armed bands; and by this shameless farce,?There, in the very temple of great justice,?You forced the judges of the land to clear?The murderer of his guilt. You went still further--?O God!
MARY.
Conclude--nay, pause not--say for this?I gave my hand in marriage at the altar.
KENNEDY.?O let an everlasting silence veil?That dreadful deed: the heart revolts at it.?A crime to stain the darkest criminal!?Yet you are no such lost one, that I know.?I nursed your youth myself--your heart is framed?For tender softness: 'tis alive to shame,?And all your fault is thoughtless levity.?Yes, I repeat it, there are evil spirits,?Who sudden fix in man's unguarded breast?Their fatal residence, and there delight?To act their dev'lish deeds; then hurry back?Unto their native hell, and leave behind?Remorse and horror in the poisoned bosom.?Since this misdeed, which blackens thus your life,?You have done nothing ill; your conduct has?Been pure; myself can witness your amendment.?Take courage, then; with your own heart make peace.?Whatever cause you have for penitence,?You are not guilty here. Nor England's queen,?Nor England's parliament can be your judge.?Here might oppresses you: you may present?Yourself before this self-created court?With all the fortitude of innocence.
MARY.?I hear a step.
KENNEDY.
It is the nephew--In.
SCENE V.
The same. Enter MORTIMER, approaching cautiously.
MORTIMER (to KENNEDY).?Step to the door, and keep a careful watch,?I have important business with the queen.
MARY (with dignity).?I charge thee, Hannah, go not hence--remain.
MORTIMER.?Fear not, my gracious lady--learn to know me.
[He gives her a card.
MARY (She examines it, and starts back astonished).?Heavens! What is this?
MORTIMER (to KENNEDY).
Retire, good Kennedy;?See that my uncle comes not unawares.
MARY (to KENNEDY, who hesitates, and looks at the QUEEN inquiringly). Go in; do as he bids you.
[KENNEDY retires with signs of wonder.
SCENE VI.
MARY, MORTIMER.
MARY.
From my uncle?In France--the worthy Cardinal of Lorrain?
[She reads.
"Confide in Mortimer, who brings you this;?You have no truer, firmer friend in England."
[Looking at him with astonishment.
Can I believe it? Is there no delusion?To cheat my senses? Do I find a friend?So near, when I conceived myself abandoned?By the whole