yet design'd Dav. Your sacred Life 's in hazard ev'ry hour For Heav'ns sake and for pity to your self For all your Nations Lives think on the Danger Cec. Thus lower yet we beg you wou'd consent Fall prostrate Or your Court-Gates will ne're be free from Throngs Of your poor People who with Groans and Cries Will force you to 't in kindness to your self Qu. E. Rise Cecil Let the Conspirators be apprehended Of whom this Gifford gives you information Cec. And not the Queen Qu. E. Spare my Sisters Life If nothing but a Queens Blood will content you Take mine ye ravenous Wolves Cec. Alas Qu. E. Be gone why was this hid from me so long Yeave robb'd me of my rest eternal rest If this be real I had soon been dead And then ne're felt the Blow 'cause unexpected But now ten thousand Deaths are not so painful As this curst Life which thou dost strive to save My Soul is wrack'd my Reputation All In this loath'd Act that thou wou'dst have me do Cec. Whose Soul whose Reputation will be rack'd And censur'd with severest Plagues from Heaven If by your fond Neglect you loose that Life Intrusted by the Powers to guard your Nations And leave your Laws and Liberties betray'd Your Subjects all a Prey to forreign Yoaks Dye and bequeath the Dagger in your heart To brood and get a hundred thousand more Perhaps as many as your Subjects Throats Nay we must speak think what you will and weep Since not to tell you is to be more cruel Qu. E. O Cecil rather how shou'd I be blam'd To take this Guest so quickly from my Bosom And shut her in a Grate Mark what I tell thee 'T was but last Night she had another Prison When she did throw her Arms about my Neck Her cheeks laid close to mine methought I drew Such Sweets as Eden's Flowers send up to Heav'n Whilst from her Lips flew warm Arahian Sighs And from her Eyes a Shower of Pearls ran down Then with a Tone sweet as an Angels voice Now let me dye she said 't is all I wish Since I have her within my Arms I love And she protests and says she loves me too Cec. There 's now no time for Answers nor Disputes Either resolve her Fate or bear your own Qu. E. Be gone I charge you tempt my Breast no more Our Sex is made of mildness Love and Pity Take from me first the softness of a Woman Were I the hot revengeful Monster Man A Man a Beast a fierce Hyrcanian Tiger Nay were I Cecil I 'de not be so cruel Cec. Then since you 'l shut your Ears to all safe Counsel To what kind Heav'n acquaints you with by us Bear Witness those Caelestial Powers and you My Queen that Cecil has discharg'd his Duty And clears himself of the approaching Danger But e're that dreadful day of your Eclipse Come Davison let thee and I go wander Far we 'l remove where such a horrid Deed Shall never blast our Eyes nor curse our Ears Here take my Staff I 've serv'd you well and long Lays down his Staff We 'l not stay here to be good Counsels Martyr And to be torn in pieces by the Rabble When you are dead which we forwarn'd you off Farewel Let us be ne're so cautious in our Aim A Kings Miscarriage is the States-mans Blame Offer to be gone Qu. E. Stay I command you take it up again Arrest a Crown impeach a Soveraign Queen The Majesty of Heav'n forbid the thought Nay if I think I never shall consent Here take my Crown depose me first or kill me Let Gifford's Dagger do its fatal Office Then like a Nest of Tyrants you may raign And under publick Laws do publick Wrongs But Royal Power can never be so cruel Cec. Behold she comes command we apprehend her Qu. E. who 'd be that Monarch who that wretched thing Whose Slaves make Laws and People are the King You have my Leave do with her as you please Now Tyrants send me strait where by your Power These cruel Eyes may never see her more Queen Elizabeth going off Queen Mary enters at the other Door and speaks to her who returns Qu. M. Turn turn your Face and give one long'd for Look My charming Queen the Morning 's past and yet I have not seen those Eyes that blest the Morn Shroud not those Looks where Beams of Mercy shine And Pity sits inthron'd with Majesty I hear the Duke of Norfolk's in displeasure Forgive the brave unhappy Man Why do you sigh why hang you down your Head Queen Elizabeth turns her Face As loth to grant Can mercy plead in vain Nay then I 'le hold you with these Chains of Love Lean my glad Cheek upon your God-like Cheek Queen Mary offers to embrace her And sow fresh Kisses where my last are fled This Language charm'd you once this greeting pleas'd you Qu. E. Now Cecil rescue me or I am lost Dav. Guards execute your Orders on the Queen Cecil and Davison get on each hand of Queen Elizabeth We beg your Majesty for love of Fame By your unbiass'd Rule and Charms of Justice Resume your wonted Courage and rouze up An awful and offended Majesty Cec. For now your Wisdom Crown and Life 's at Stake Nay more the Lives of all your faithful Subjects The Guards whisper Queen Mary For this one precious Moment of your Conduct Qu. M. I will obey Your Orders fright not me Nor move my Soul so lately us'd to Wrongs What is my Crime Yet wherefore do I ask For Chains look better far about these Wrists Than Diamonds and Tears hang on my Neck More beautiful than strings of Orient Pearl Qu. E. Ah cruel Princess we are both undone You 've robb'd your Sisters Breast of all it's wealth Lost a dear Friend and robb'd me of your Self Dav. Mary late Queen of Scotland y' are impeach'd By th' name of 〈…〉 High Treason For plotting to usurp our Soveraign's Crown And hiring Babington to kill the Queen Qu. M. Heav'ns Thrones and Angels guard the Innocent The Gorgon is at last disclos'd to view What kill my Sister hurt your precious Life O Monster of Invention cursed Lyar And oh damn'd Calumny begot in Hell Nay then I see my Ruine is conspir'd The Duke must dye and I must suffer too But cruel Foes had you no way but this To blast me with eternal Infamy And oh bright Vengeance is there none in store No Pity in the Heav'ns no Thunder left Protect the wrong'd and strike the Guilty dead Lest men suspect that you are great and good Will you that rain down Providence on all And ev'ry living Insect claimsa share Will you I say shut fast your cruel Doors Now when a Queen an injur'd Queen implores Qu. E. Incroaching Pity stop thy flowing Torrent Aside And ebbing Nature sink to that extream As cruel Brutus that condemn'd his Son For this is now my Tryal Qu. M. Say amongst you Where is that Man or
tak'n into Protection Of Englands Laws and therefore but a Subject Mor. A quaint Distinction that and like your Lawyers But since it serves our Ends no matter how Dav. At last having deny'd with Constancy The legal Power of this Imperial Court And finding they were all resolv'd against her As a rare Swimmer shiprack'd on the Ocean A vast and dreadful distance from the Shore And hopeless grown with all his Art to gain it Gives himself o're contentedly to drown So she sate down and mildly then submitted Mor. Were her two Secretaries heard in Court Dav. No tho' she still did urge to have 'em brought Pleading that Navus was a Forreigner And might for fear of Tortures and the Wrack Be threatten'd to accuse her wrongfully Curl too she said a timorous byass'd Man Wou'd sign to any thing that Navus wrote Mor. But what was the most stabbing Proof against her Dav. Her Correspondence had with Babington So by the fatal Oaths of two false Servants Never seen Face to Face to be confronted But more to buy the safety of the Nation She was at last condemn'd and soon must dye Mor. But as the Prophet in the guiltless Ship Was thrown into the Sea t' appease the Tempest If she on Land has rais'd a Storm to wrack us 'T is fit She should be sacrific'd as he was Dav. Behold the Duke's just coming forth to dye The Queen is entring too 'T is as I fear'd Exeunt Morton and Davison Enter Queen Mary with Dowglas attended at one Door and Norfolk going to Execution at the other they meet Qu. M. Must the brave Duke receive his Death to day Dow. Alas see where he comes a Sight will kill you Qu M. Quick drive me scourge me lash me from this Place Will the Queens Malice hunt me to the last Was there no Time but now no Way but this O lead me through some Passage under ground Some horrid Vault or Hell but to avoid him Norf. My Queen my lovely Alban Queen sure I 'me Already dead and this the happy Place Where Souls like hers receive their blest Rewards Qu. M. Turn wretched Duke or e're Death seals thy Eyes This moment tear 'em out as I wou'd mine Shun me as if thou coud'st thy horrid Fate Or a Goblin damn'd Norf. What says my Goddess Queen Qu. M. Is not your wrong'd and mighty Spirit shockt And Death a much more welcome Guest than I And worse to see me than to feel the Blow Norf. By all your Wrongs and mine Qu. M. O come not near me 'T is said a murther'd Body when 't is cold And all it's Veins froz'n and congeal'd by Death When he approaches near that did the Deed Warn'd by the mighty Power of just Revenge Pours a warm Flood and bleeds afresh again Why dart you not a Peal of Curses on me Your Eyes Promethean Fire to blast my Soul And why don 't ev'ry Hair upon thy Head Arm like the brissled Porcupine against me Norf. Lov 's Wounds may bleed afresh but no Grief else The Ax these Guards and this grim Pomp of Death Stir me no more than acted in a Play My Lov 's immortal and can fear no Fate Nor feel a Terrour but to part with you And cou'd I but redeem your precious Life I 'de fly to meet the Torments of the Damn'd A thousand years and dye thus ev'ry day Qu. M. Alas most pity'd Prince force not these drops Tears the kind Balm to ease all tortur'd Breasts But mine and mine finds no Relief Be gone oh no For you must ne're return Let me be gone Norf. For Death I am prepar'd but not to leave you Qu. M. The dearest Friends ne're make a stir at parting Before so small a Journey as we take 'T will not be long some two or three short days Or hou'rs perhaps and we shall meet again We both are in the Ballance weigh'd for Death You in the bottom Scale that 's next the Grave And I hang wavering in uncertain hopes Above but when y' are mounted up to Heav'n I then shall drop where you' ar now going to Earth Norf. By Heav'n the Queen the hungry Tigress durst not What! shed the Blood the sacred Blood of Kings 'T were Blasphemy in Angels to suspect it But if she dare I will my self descend And arm'd with Legions in the shades below Stand Century in the utmost Gap of Fate And drive your beauteous Spirit back to be Inshrin'd within this sacred Mould again Q. M. Ah Duke are you so cruel and unkind I had but two priz'd Friends within this Bosome The Queen and you and she forbids me Earth And you deny me Heav'n Hear me Friend To the Heads-man Thou with the Vizour if thou' rt Death be not Asham'd to shew thy Face for I can dare thee How long hast thou been practis'd in this Art And how many brave Heads hast thou cut off Why dost not speak Dow. He 's not the publick Heads-man But one whose horrid Zeal has brib'd his Hand The common Executioner who proffer'd A mighty Sum refus'd to do the Deed. Norf. Can there be Conscience found in such as He What Villain then art thou Qu. M. Thou art some Bungler and com'st To learn thy Trade on this brave wretched Man If thou shou'dst fail at once to take his Head Be sure you sever mine off at a Blow Norf. Away your Danger spurs me on my Race Swift as the Mind can think my Soul shall fly And make the Scaffold but one step to Heav'n Qu. M. And till I come your happiness to see Kneel and attone th' offended Powers for me Norf. Yes all the shining Hoast shall plead your Cause The nearest Saints to the Imperial Chair Shall still repeat it in th' Almighty's Ear Whil'st round the dazling Throne Queen Mary's Wrongs Shall be the Subject of the Angels Songs Whilst the great Deity for Revenge shall call All Heav'n shall shake the Universe be aw'd But Rebel England feel the angry God Qu. M. Farewel Our Souls a joyful Meeting soon shall feel Norf. But to our Bodies here a long Farewel Exeunt severally Queen Elizabeth alone Qu. E. A Midnight Silence sits upon the Morn The Eye of Day shuts as afraid already And seems the setting not the rising Sun Behold a Crown a Scepter and Regalia's Crown and Regalia's on a Table Without two Kingdoms full of flattering Subjects Watching my Looks and waiting on my Nod Yet where 's the Quiet where 's the Freedom here Enter Cecil and Davison with Commissioners from both Houses Dav. My Lord I fear we have transgress'd too far Upon the Queens most private Thoughts Cec. Thoughts or no thoughts I must and will awake her Yet hold do you with these retire a while And I 'le wait near till she is pleas'd to call Qu. E. Norfolk is dead His Body 's freed from Pain his mind from fear And feels like me no doleful Beatings here Curst be this Crown and this loath'd Scene of Power And
prepar'd to wait you To an Apartment nearest to her own My Lord It is her Majesties Command To Norfoolk You leave the Queen and instantly attend her Norf. Immortal Powers a Guard Exit Davison Qu. M. Haste noble Duke prevent her threatning Rage Plead for your self Behold I am not worse Than when you saw me first at Fotheringay Norf. Ah rigid Caution Virtue too severe Y 'ave done a cruel Justice on your self And quite undone my hopes Qu. M. Give me your Hand I will be yours or ne're will be Anothers That as my Heart but oh most gallant Norfolk Some time allow to weigh the nice Regards Of Jealous Honour in a Prince's Breast Cruel Example cruel Greatness aws Our Sex and Monarchs with the hardest Laws Farewel Norf. Curst be those Laws more curst be Greatness still Man till forbidden knew not what was ill And till Ambition sow'd the deadly strife Adam was blest and Eve a happy Wife Virtue one hop'd and then was so renown'd Valour made Kings and Beauty oft was crown'd Merit did then o're Friends and Interest plead The happy Pair but lik'd and soon agreed But now Love's bought and Marriage grown a Trade Estate and Dower are in the Ballance weigh'd Love still was free till Pride broke in by stealth And ne're a Slave till undermin'd with Wealth Exeunt Omnes Finis Actus Secundi ACTUS TERTIUS Scena prima Morton Davison Mor. NOw famous Davison 't is in your Power To be the Genius of your threaten'd Nation And the Protector of your Crown and Laws A glorious Merit offers to espouse you And make your Name in Englands Cause renown'd Your Mistress must not see the Queen of Scotland This you must study to prevent for 't is To give a Dagger to a Lunatick How do's she hold her Yesterdays Resolve Dav. Just as I fear'd for in her Bed-Chamber Early this Morn I found the Duke of Norfolk Upon his Knees petitioning for the Queen At first she started with her Eyes shot Flames And bid him in a fury strait be gon Then with an elevated Tone she cry'd What must I ne're be kneel'd to but for her All Kness all Hearts must bend to her alone Whilst I alas like the dull slavish Beast That bore the Goddess Image on his Back Am worship'd only but for her Mor. Said rarely Dav. Then on a suddain call'd him back again Blotting a Tear that fell in spite of her And bid him go to the distrest poor Queen And bear a Token to her Giving a Ring and with it many a Sigh Tell her said she tho' Jealousies of State Forbid that we shou'd meet yet many days Nay many hours I am not sure to live Unless I see her quickly and embrace her Mor. Then all my Fears again return Dav. The Duke Rise from the Ground exalted and expir'd Leaving the Queen with Burleigh and my self But soon on us presuming to advise her She thunder'd as the Gods on the rash Giants And made us feel what 't was to war with Heaven Then in a Rage she darted from her Closet And threw the Door so hard with such a Flounce As I have seen her Father Harry do That made us tremble Mor. What wou'd you advise Dav. I know not for she wearies her Attendants And fain wou'd shake e'm off survey's each Chamber And measures ev'ry Gallery in her House An hundred times as if she meant to take A View and by the Model build the like I know the Cause and tho' her Spirit 's proud And wou'd not stoop to see the Scottish Queen Yet she feeks all occasions out to meet her And therefore loyters like a Miser's Ghost About the Treasure that it lov'd on Earth Mor. This mighty Duke must be lop'd low or fall His Branches are too spreading and too high Under whose Tops our Queen securely lyes And mocks the just avenging storms of Heav'n He thinks he 's clear'd from all Accounts of Guilt But I have that will set him in Arrear Ne're to be paid and ne're to be forgiven I 'le to the Duke Exit Morton Dav. And I 'le go seek the Queen As Davison is going out enter Gifford and meets him What art thou that has haunted me so long Thou look'st as if thou mean'st to draw my Picture I saw thee in the Presence of the Queen Which when I left thou follow'dst me And still survey'st me with a curious Eye What woud'st thou with me say what art Giff. A Man And what indeed is rare in such a Place A Miracle at Court an honest Man I am a Priest Dav. How dar'st thou peep thy Head within these Walls I 'le have thee seiz'd Giff. thou 'dst better if 't were possible The Guardian Angel of thy Mistress seize I 'me hir'd to kill the Queen Dav. O monstrous Villain Giff. I am no Villain but a Scourge to Villains I have the Instrument of Fate about me Dav. O horrid most unheard of Impudence Durst thou tell this to me that am her Servant Giff. Because you are therefore I sought you out And came not here to act it but reveal it Hell cou'd not rest and know it Dav. Thou say'st well What dire Companions in this Tragedy Hast thou who set you on Giff. O they are mighty Nor was the Queen alone t' have felt the Blow Dav. Is not the Queen of Scotland in the Plot Speak as thy Virtue prompts thee and the Throne Thy Innocence and Heav'n be all thy Guard Giff. I know that for Her sake this was contriv'd But dare not think that she 's consenting to it Dav. Wer 't thou alone to act this monstrous Treason Giff. No five bold Villains more besides my self Curst that my Name shou'd e're be read for one All made of Nature's ruffest fiercest Mould Have enter'd in a damn'd Association Start Heav'n and all Divinity to hear To kill the Queen to murther Majesty Their several Instruments of Death in sport They made the Guilt of Chance One had a Sword Fell to his share the second chose a Gun The third a Pistol Poyson had the fourth The fifth had Water for the Deed who was If all the rest had fail'd t' have sunk her Barge Rowing some Evening as her Custom is From Greenwich and this Dagger was my Lot Shews a Dagger Dav. Thou 'st gain'd a glorious and immortal Credit Giff. I can produce what will amaze you worse No Necromancer ever shew'd the Face Of a suspected Stealer in a Glass As I the lively Figures of these Monsters In glorious ostentation of the Deed Painted on Tablets set in Gold with Babington High in the midst and in his threatning Hand Grasping the Weapon that shou'd kill the Queen And underneath this horrid Sentence writ Hi mihi sunt Comites quos ipsa pericula ducunt Dav. O Villain didst thou ever see Queen Mary Giff. Never but have her Letters to the Pope To the Confederates and to Babington Dav. To Babington say does she write to him Giff. To
there a Friend that 's just Or after him a Man that I can trust Aside Norf. You need not doubt it for by Heav'n I will That dying Martyr who invokes her Name Calls for more aid than all the Saints above She is her self Salvation but for her This Isle had been like flaming Aetna found Or as the World was with the Ocean drown'd Qe E. She 's false and thou a most ungrateful Traytor Here 's Morton Cecil all the World can witness Thou didst aspire to marry her and get my Crown With her Consent Norf. By the Immortal Judge I am betray'd And she 's abus'd by Villains Cecil will not no honest Man dar's say it But Morton as the worst of Devils may O she 's so good so Innocent and mild That Scotland wert thou curst to this degree Shou'd all thy Seed there sow'd yield nought but Poysons And pregnant Women bring forth none but Mortons Thou hast atton'd for all such ills in breeding Her Qu. E. Away with him and let me never see That Head again but on a Pinacle Norf. Bear Witness all you Powers I bear it mildly And for my Fate I kneel again and bless you May you live ever and for Norfolks Death Ne're sleep a moment of your Life the worse But pass your soft Eternity away With Angels Days and Lovers blessed Nights But for the injur'd Queen I rise inspir'd And tho' a threaten'd Prophet yet dare speak When e're She falls which both the blest in Heav'n And damn'd in Hell forbid If you believe And punish not those Villains that betray'd her Loud Cherubins to Earth your Guilt shall sound Which worse than the Last Trumpet shall rebound Wake or asleep her Image shall appear And always hollow Mary in your Ear. Cec. Now Davison's the Time Exit Duke Cuarded Dav. May 't please your Majesty What shall be done with the offending Queen Qu. E. Nothing bold saucy Pen-man I say nothing Send Norfolk to the Tower but on your Lives I charge you use no Violence on Her Make not such haste too soon you 'l break this Heart Then glut your selves with cutting off of Heads Dav. Then so much for the Duke Call Gifford in Enter Gifford If you are drown'd steep'd in a Lethargy Of Love and o'regrown Mercy to this Queen And will not op'n your Eyes to see your danger Then we that are your watchful Servants must Behold and hear for 't is so loud and plain That 't will astonish ev'ry Sense within you This Man this honest man whose Statue ought To be set up in gold in all your streets Inspir'd by Heav'n discovers that himself With five bold Ruffians more were all set on By Mary Queen of Scots to murther you Qu. E. To murther me Cec. Forbid it Heav'n and Stars To kill the Queen Dav. With Sacraments they bound it More horrid than e're Catiline invented Who to ' slave Rome ty'd it with humane Blood First view the Monsters pictur'd to the Life Each with a several Instrument of Fate Produces the Tablets Wav'd in his Hand with which to Hell they swore If either of them fail'd to cut you off Qu. E. Preserve me Heaven Queen takâ—s the Tablets in her Hand Dav. What do's it make you start Do these odd Hieroglyphicks make you wonder The Rogue that fir'd the gawdy Fane at Ephesus Deserv'd to be a Saint to these he strove But for a little Memory after Death But these before presumptuously defy Heav'n and the World t'anticipate the Blow And tell Mankind they glory in the Deed. Qu. E. What 's here a Latin Verse which he that is The Chief does seem to bellow from his Mouth These are Companions chos'n and fit for such a danger Here is thy Face makes one amongst the Villains Giff. With horrour I confess it Qu. E. Name the rest Giff. I will but wonder when you hear what Men Of several Stations clubb'd to do this Mischief The Elements were not more aptly mixt To make a perfect World as they to do a Deed Wou'd startle Nature and unfix the Globe And hurl it from its Axel Tree and Hinges This first is Babington Rich and of Birth Pointing to the Tablets Might lift him to be rank'd amongst the Nobles Young proud and daring fiery and ambitious Qu. E. I know the Gentleman of Derbyshire He came to me for leave to go to France Giff. The same Qu. E. O horrid Who can read a Villain How subtly Nature paints hides a false Heart And shroud's a Traitor in an Angels Garb The next Giff. Tillny a Courtier Cec. What the Queen 's own Servant Dav. I know him too his Father 's only Hopes Heir to a great Estate O Parricide Giff. This Barnâ—el turbulent and precipâ—â—te A bloody minded Wretch fit for the Deed Of Ireland Cec. I believe each Word thou utter'st Without his Country it had been no Plot. Giff. Savage a Ruffian of the worst degree And never to be painted as he is Stew'd in a Brothel house and tann'd in Blood Qu. E. O Queen O Mary where 's thy Refuge now Giff. The fifth is Châ—rnock Student of the Law Lastly to make the Compound great my Self Qu. E. I 've heard too much If this be true how shall I help thee now Boldly this Breast has stood the Shock but now Can hold no longer hence be dumb for ever O for the quiet that my Mind has lost My Crown I 'de give a Kingdom I 'de bestow But for the sweet Repose my Soul last Night Enjoy'd Hear Heav'n deny me not this Prayer Curse me with Madness blast me with Diseases Melt this loath'd Crown away like scalding Lead Turn all my Hairs to Snakes upon my Head And in a Dungeon let me long lament All I 'le endure make her but innocent Cec. 'T is fit you double all your Strength about you And let the Queen immediately be seiz'd Qu. E. 'T is false she is abus'd and all is forg'd She is not can't nor shall she guilty be Confess it do and I 'le forgive you all I now command you nay intreat you too Be merciful to your tormented Queen And O restore my Sister's Innocence again See Monster Villain Fury Devil Priest Be sure thou prov'st this Crime upon my Sister To Gifford Be sure thou dost without the smallest doubt Or I will have thee hang'd to touch the Sky For Sun to burn thee and the Clouds to quench thee To shew to Heav'n to shew to Earth below The Wretch so curst and banisht both for ever Or I will have thee long long years a dying Feed thee by Weight to starve a Grain a day Whilst thy rack'd flesh whole Ages shall decay And Spirits by slow degrees distil away Yet O! 'T is all too little to recal That wealthy Mass of quiet thou hast robb'd me off Cec. 'T is the Request of all your faithful Subjects That you 'd be pleas'd to seize the Queen of Scotland Cecil and Davison kneel Least she shou'd act what is but
curst this Head that e're the Magick wore The careless Shepheard now feels no such Sting More lov'd obey'd and happier than a King His Subjects do not one another hate For Malice nor for Jealousie of State But harmlesly the Ewe and crested Ram Walk Side by Side and guard the tender Lamb. This from some Bank beholds the Joyful Hind Tuning his Pipe harmonious as his Mind Views all around more blest than from a Throne Possessing all and yet does nothing own Who 's there wellcome kind Cecil to relieve me Welcome I hope to rid this Breast from pain What say the Houses to their Queens demand Shall my dear Sister live shall I be happy Cec. Here 's Davison commission'd from the Commons Re-enter Davison and Commissioners And I from all the Lords with both their Answers Qu. E. Thanks my dear People faithful Davison Speak for my soul now starts to meet the sound Dav. May 't please your Majesty your Loyal Commons To what you bid e'm think that Mercy shou'd Be shewn to one of Maries Dignity and Sex And near Relation that in Blood she 's to you They humbly offer that no Sex nor Title Nay were they sprung from the same Royal Father Ought to protect Offenders 'gainst their Soveraign And boldly tell you Mercy is a Crime When it is shewn to one that has no Mercy She wou'd have tak'n your Life which is not safe As long as Mary lives Whom if you save in hopes that Heav'n will spare you Is not to trust th' Almighty but provoke him Qu. E. Is this the Censure then of the most wise And Arbitrary Commons Dav. Mightiest Queen Do not miscall what is your Subjects Loves Their only Zeal is for your Royal Safety To whom one moment of your precious Welfare Is far more worth than all their Lives and Fortunes Qu. E. The Commons let e'm mean my Hurt or Fame They never want to give it a kind Name Dav. To that Objection of your Majesty That this may draw a War from France or Spain They all agree with one entire Consent If any such shou'd be to guard your Crown And Royal Person with their whole Estates and Lives But such fond Fears are held impossible For they can ne're hurt England but by Her And all such Dangers at her Death will vanish Qu. E. This then 's the Commons Resolution Dav. With which the Lords do with one Voice concur Qu. E. Is this their Answer to their Soveraigns Tears This all the kindness that two Queens can beg Dav. All fixt and firm as Fate they are resolv'd Like Rocks to stand the Tempest of vain Pity Since to deny you this is to be Loyal To your most sacred Majesties Request And to asswage the Tyrant Mercy in your Bosome No other Answer we cou'd get but this They bid us humbly offer to your thinking A Proverb no less true to be observ'd Than what was said of Conradine of Sicily And Charles of Anjou Rivals in a Crown Which is The Death of Mary is the Life Of Queen Elizabeth the Life of Mary The Death of Queen Elizabeth Qu. E. Hear you immortal and avenging Powers Are Kings Vicegerents of your Rule on Earth Breath's the rich Oyl yet fragrant on our Brows And are we thus obey'd There are but two Main Attributes which stamp us like your selves Mercy and sole Prerogative and those Daring and saucy Senates wou'd deny us Why Heav'n that gave my Ancestors a Crown Power uncontroll'd as any King cou'd wish Yet let e'm lavish out so vast a Stock Then Mortgage it and put it in the Hands Of such hard Usurers as these Cec. May 't please your Majesty Qu. E. I 'le hear no more Go tell your Masters that their Queen is coming Give me my Robes I 'le instantly dissolve e'm I 'le drive you from your Hives your Sanctuary To rail at judge and censure whom you please Asunder y' are such cringing fawning Wretches And tremble like the Fox before the Lion But let us touch but one amongst your Herd Tho' an Offender then you roar out all And Priviledge is the Word like a whole Kennel If one of all the Hounds but make a noise Hast and beware for I will Thunder bring Fell as a Woman awful as a King Exeunt Cecil Davison and the rest cringing What have I done with whom shall I advise Heav'n keeps at stately distance now and treats not With Kings as they with Monarchs did of old By Messengers of Angels or of Prophets Inspire my Thoughts Bid Davison come back And send 'em word that I 'le not come to day Why incens'd Powers have you decreed So large a Road of Bliss to all Mankind And mark'd me out a Destiny so narrow That on one side I must be sure to err Or take my Sister's Life or loose my own Re-enter Davison Dav. I come at your dread Majesties Command Qu. E. O Davison thou art a man on whom I 've showr'd rich Favours to adorn thy Person But thou hast Merits that outshine my Bounty Dav. O whither wou'd your Majesty Qu. E. Thou seest how thy poor Queen is tortur'd here 'T is vain to hide what thou hast Eyes to find How backward I am still to Cruelty How loth to drein the Blood ev'n of my Foes Is there no way to satisfie my People Nor jealous Pow'r but by my Sisters Death O speak and call my Favours to thy mind And that on Earth there 's none so curst as I. There 's none so wretched but may hope for Ease But thy poor Queen has none Now if thou hast One spark of Comfort in thy grateful Breast O put it into mine Dav. I wou'd advise But ah what Hopes can that Physician have Of Cure whose Patient throws away his Medicine And says that it is Poyson Lo I kneel To you the wisest Charming'st Queen on Earth The perfect'st Pattern of those Pow'rs above But oh the more y' are good in Mercy shine Heav'n seems more fixt to save such Excellence Which cannot be but by the Death of Mary Qu. E. Vultures and Ravens Schriech Owles Croaks of Toads Are jarring in that Voice Fly from my sight Run Monster Fiend and seek thy Habitation Where such loath'd Vermine build their fatal Nests Or sink thee into Hell just where thou kneel'st Rather than that shou'd be Rise and be gone Dav. This shall not fright your Slave from his lov'd Duty Nor from this humble Posture no unless You take this Weapon in your God-like Hand And thrust it in your Servants faithful Breast And let out all my Blood that 's Loyal yet When I am dead so well you are belov'd There 's none of all your faithful Parliament but wou'd Thus kneel implore and hug the Fate that I had Qu. E. Be gon quick Davison thou fatal Charmer Thou subtil Mouth of the Deluding Senate Dav. Alas what Ends can your kind Subjects have What private Benefit can they propose By this Queens Death but to preserve
give amongst you Wou'd it were more as much as you deserve Nay weep not Some few Trifles I will distribute with my own glad hands Here is some Gold and Jewels in this Casket Share 'em amongst you and a Kiss to each To her Women Heav'n bless you all Here Melvil take this Ring I wou'd not have thee ev'ry time thou look'st on it But sometimes call to mind that it was Mary's Poor Man his Griefs have choak'd his Words Dowglas Receive this Bracelet from thy Mistress Neck And ty 't about thy Rist Go to my Son The rising Sun from Mary's endless setting And he 'l take care of thee and all of you Dow. Alas I quickly shall be past all Care This fatal Day hangs heavier on my youth Than threescore years can do on Dowglas Head Qu. M. I 've nothing else to give but This and this I kiss and beg that it be bury'd with me Kisses her Crucifix And Mary do not think it strange that thou A soveraign Queen dy'st by an Ax and see The King of Heav'n nail'd on a Cross for thee Dow. 'T will not be long e're you will shine with him Qu. M. Give me some Wine your Mistress here bequeaths Her last kind Wishes to you in this Draught I have no Friends no Children nigh but you He whom I bore wrack'd from these tender Bowels Scarce blest his joyful Mother for her Labour With his first Infant Beams but was by Villains Like little Romulus from this Bosome torn And nurst with Wolves wherefore my dearest Friends My faithful suffering mourning weeping Servants Your Queen your Mistress drinks to all of you And all Revenge and Malice bury'd be In this kind Bowl as is this Wine in me Drinks kneeling they all kneel while she drink Dow. Behold they 're come to fetch you Qu. M. They are welcome Enter Cecil Morton Lieutenant of the Tower Guards My Lord I have expected you with Joy You find me like a cheerful longing Bride Must you conduct me to my Bride Groom Death Cec. Alas I must Qu. M Has the Queen sent no Message No word of Farewel to her dying Cousin Cec. Something She wou'd have said but burst in Tears Whilst with a Groan her tortur'd Speech expir'd And only cry'd O Mary and no more Mor. Madam I kneel in hopes that you 'l forgive me Qu. M. Thou 'st done no ill to me but as thy Nature A Wolf can do but as a Wolf Thou hast it Tho Heav'n thy cursed Crimes may ne're forgive But make my Son revenge his Fathers Murther Which thou too surely did'st and laid the Stain On me Enter Davison in haste Dav. My Lord I 've News Just now 's arriv'd from Scotland Patrick Gray With Letters to the Queen which have disturb'd her But more my Lord she seems incens'd at you To Morton I wish this Execution had been done Or not to do Cec. We'ave gone too far already To think of going back Dav. Room for the Queen Madam 't is fit you send back all your Servants The Scaffold will be crowded else Qu. M. The Queen my Sister cannot be so cruel Shall this chast Body which great Princesses Have kneel'd to drâ—ss and undress be expos'd And made a common Spectacle To be prophan'd by ev'ry Villains Sight And none of all my Servants be allow'd To weep and close my Eyes when I am dead Which these poor Wretches all wou'd thank you for Cec. Madam tho' contrary to Orders you may take Two of your Women-Servants and two Men Which you 'l be pleas'd to choose Now have you ought for us to tell the Queen Qu. M. I have but one Request that She 'l permit My Friends to bear my Body into France There to be buried with my Ancestors Of Lorrain whence my Mother was descended For Scotland thou that never gav'st me quiet When I was living ne'er shall rest me dead Dav. On then make way there Qu. M. Come near and you two take me by the Hands For to the last I wou'd with decent Form Tho' little Port retain the Majesty Of what I am the rightful Qâ—een of Scotland Queen Dowager of France and Englands Heiress A glorious Shine of Titles that shou'd like The Lambent Beams about the Heads of Angels Protect a Crown Weep not but take me thus as you have seen Melvil and her Physitian take her by each hand Your now expiring then your Blooming Queen Brought by two Monarchs to the Dauphins Arms Adorn'd with all Lov 's Pride and all Lov 's Charms So lead me to the Place where I may gain Immortal Pleasures and immortal Reign Exit Queen Ma. to Execution manent Morton and Dowglas Mor. Why dost thou weep and grovel on the Floor Dow. Traytor because I will not herd with Man 'T is happier thus to crawl like Snakes and Toads Than live and have a Face erect like thee Enter Queen Elizabeth Attendants and Guards Qu. E. Speak Morton Villain Traytor to thy Soveraign Yet give me Comfort and I 'le pardon all Where is the Queen say is my Sister well Where is she Dow. Dead e're this upon the Scaffold Qu. E. Now which will swiftest run to save both Queens Fly fleeter than the rushing thought and he That from the lifted Ax the Dove can save Shall be my King and I will be his Slave Vanish a Kingdom 's thy Reward Seize on that Fiend for pitying Heav'n at last Has brought to light that he did murther Darnly Bind him in Chains and in an Iron Cage Let him be sent to Scotland to be tortur'd Exeunt Morton dragg'd away Re-enter Cecil and Davison Cec. Madam I wish the loss of both our Lives Cou'd save the Queen's or mediate our Offence If you shall think it one for she is dead Qu. E. How cou'dst thou be so false and curst a Villain What boot's the Thunder now the Bolts of Kings To Davison Which Traitors fear no more than Summers Hail Else why art thou alive And why dy'd Mary so But I 'me the Cause Tear then these Locks dig out these cruel Eyes Gape wide the Center open Earth and hide me For Hell does yawn and Heav'n denies to take me Falls down on the Floor Give me a Sword a Dagger or quick Poyson No fetch the Ax the horrid Ax kind Cecil The Ax just reaking with my Sisters Veins And lop this hated Member from my Body This bloody cruel Hand that sign'd her Death Cec. O calm your Bosom let no rage molest Your quiet Spirit in it's God like Mansion Qu. E. Hark how the World proclaims my Guilt already Christians and Pagans all will now rejoyce That the long shining fear'd and spotless Reign Of fam'd Elizabeth is set in Night That England's stain'd its Maiden Monarch stain'd Stain'd stain'd like banisht Cain for ever mark'd Immortally eternally is stain'd Remove that Vulture from my Sight and since Death cannot reach him the Star-Chamber shall Strip him of all his borrow'd Plumes and leave him As naked as he came into the World Dav. Long may you live till Heav'n at last make known The Good that I 've so ill rewarded done Exit Davison Qu. E. Adorn'd with Crowns this Head no more shall sleep But cover'd o're with Dust for ever weep No more on Down nor Carpets will I rest But in some Wild or Den of dreadful Beast Where undisturb'd by Traytors Laws and Power I ne're shall think of Man nor Empire more With Wolves and Tigers rather Friendship share For they by far the gentler Monsters are Falshood from Eve on all her Race descends False Kindred all false Subjects and false Friends Exeunt Omnes Finis Actus Quinti
THE Island Queens Or The Death of MARY Queen of Scotland A TRAGEDY Publish'd only in Defence of the Author and the Play against some mistaken Censures occasion'd by its being prohibited the Stage Vis Confili expers mole ruit sua Vim temperatam Dii quoque provebunt In majus iidem odere Vires Omne nefas Animo moventes Horace Lib. 3. Ode 3. By Jo. BANKS LONDON Printed for R. Bentley in Russel Street in Covent-Garden 1684. To the Illustrious Princess MARY DUTCHESS OF NORFOLK Madam THIS Tragedy of Queen Mary tho' forbidden the Stage has acted its Part almost as publick particularly your Grace has been acquainted with its Misfortune having done It the Honour to peruse it in Sheets and because your Noble Father the Earl of Peterborough whose Name I shall never mention without my greatest Zeal and Respect has vouchsaft me the Charity to protect it against it's Enemies and to stand betwixt his Royal Highness and them the worst of which and indeed the only Persons in their Stations to do me such an Injury I have cause to believe were they that took the same Course and with as much Reason to silence the Play of the Earl of Essex which was the first that got Them and Theirs Money and Reputation I present it to your Grace with those few Alterations which his Royal Highness the best of Judges was pleas'd to mark with his own Hand and I shou'd not have presum'd to put it in Print without following those most judicious Amendments with which He was pleas'd to consent to the Acting of it till the same evil Spirits by themselves or others for I have heard it has been protested This Play shou'd never be Acted if they cou'd hinder it in contradiction to his Royal Highness's Pleasure because it was in Favour to Me incens'd the King with a wrong Interpretation of the Scenes or of the Story tho' I make no doubt but his most Sacred Majesty by your Graces Means when he considers what a penetrating Loss it has been to an unfortunate and faithful Subject and shall look on it in Print but he will soon perceive the Loyalty of the Writing and be of the same Opinion with his Royal Brother in permitting it to be Acted And now Madam after I have told my own pitiful Tale I am afraid to approach your Grace least it should be thought Design in me as most Dedications to Persons of your high Rank are branded with and that Flattery is the side-Wind or Byas that carries them tho' about the surest Way to their Aim but I am of Opinion and the Thought of it has embolden'd Me that it is Prophaneness to think Nobility and Graces like Yours are of that Allay which either can or will be flatter'd for who dares imagine when I am to speak to the Dutchess of Norfolk the next of Quality to the Royal Family in the three Kingdoms that I can say enough of her admired Character You are joyn'd by Heaven to a Prince who is the true Inheritor of all the Virtues and Greatness as well as the Blood of that Illustrious Duke the Hero in the Play to say more in whose Praise is to repeat his Character that I have fill'd all the Scenes with I will only add this observation Never Man was more brave nor more unfortunate unhappy that he dy'd for his Loyalty his Truth and succouring the distrest and happy that he will have the Glory of it to Eternity but to compleat his Joys looks down from Heaven and sees You in his Princely Off-springs Arms a Reward that only can exceed his Injuries since from those chast Embraces he hopes will proceed a Race of Successors that will make the noblest and best of Houses flourish whilst the Stars shine or the World lasts You are such an early Patroness of Wit that like young Alexander you travell'd o're and conquer'd all that rare World sooner and in a lesser time than others have learn'd their Mother Tongue as if it were inspir'd not study'd and as Heaven tho' it be Heaven wou'd not be admir'd nor perspicuous to Mens Eyes unless the Sun were in it to attract the Sight so the Divine Power has given you so many excellent Beauties to adorn your other Parts that whosoever sees so glorious a Fabrick without may be sure to find a richer Furniture within You are the only Person too who having so large a Portion of both yet envy not the Enjoyment of them in others Hail then Monarchess of Wit and Beauty For all that have or pretend to either are your Subjects be pleas'd to accept of this Poem it is your Tribute and though it be mean 't is like the poor Womans Mite It is my All and best of Essays in this Kind yet were it sure to survive as many years as Homers Works your Graces Name prefixt will be the only Soul that 's moving in it or can make the Pages deathless I dare say no more for fear I shou'd commit more Faults but humbly beg leave to withdraw as Pilgrims from their Shrine to make a zealous and constant Repetition of this to my self in private with my Prayers for your eternal Happiness which shall ever be the Theme and Wishes of Madam Your Graces most Humble Most Devoted and Most Obedient Servant John Banks Persons Represented Queen Elizabeth Queen Mary Duke of Norfolk Morton Regent of Scotland Cecil Davison Young Dowglas Gifford SCENE LONDON MARY Queen of Scotland ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Cecil Davison Cecil REmember Davison how much thou ow'st For thou hast Wit and Honour to be faithful As well as to be great first to thy Mistress Then to my self who took thee from thy Lowness And plac'd thee on this Height whence to look down Men but appear like Birds or Insects to thee Remember too thou now art in a Sphere Where Princes to their Favours set no bounds And their Rewards tho' large and bottomless Yet States men have no Meen 'twixt those and ruine For when Kings Eyes are like the Sun withdrawn Darkness and Scorn surround them on a suddain And straight as Lucifer from Heav'n was thrown In thunder they 're precipitated down Dav. Wisest and Justest that in Courts e're dwelt Great Oracle of Britain Prince of States men Whom Men nor Angels scarce can praise enough Not divine Plato ever spoke like You Plato on whose sweet lips the Muses sung And Bees distill'd their Honey in his Cradle Cec. No more 'T is worse than Death for me to hear A fawning Cringer or submissive Praiser I should suspect thee did I not believe Thou art as far beyond a Sycophant As I above the reach of Flattery Thou art my Equal now nay more my Friend Thou art an honest Man of Parts a Compound That I have chos'n 'mongst the Race of Men To make a Phoenix in the Court Dav. The sacred Hoast of Heav'n the Guard of Kings Still place such men about her Royal Person Cec. But now especially she
needs their Aid Now when the madness of the Nation 's grown To such a height 't is to be fear'd Death walks In Masquerade in strange and many shapes The Court that was the Planet that shou'd guide us Is grown into Rebellion with it self Fears Jealousies and Factions crowd her Stage Two Queens the like was never seen before By different sides maintain each others Right Our Virgin Constellation shines but dim Whilst Mary Scotlands Queen that Northern Star Tho' in a Prison darts her Rival Light Dav. The Champions of her Faction are not few Men of great Birth and Titles plead her Cause And daily urge the Queen for her Release 'Mongst whom the gallant Duke of Norfolk's chief A Prince that has no equal in his Fame A Man of Power and int'rest to be fear'd For his own sake as well as for the Queen's For shou'd h'ingage himself too deep in this England might chance to loose the best of Men. Cec. The Queen 's peculiar safety be thy care Therefore the Secretaries Place is thine In which high State as from a Perspective Thou may'st discover all her forreign Foes And home Conspiracies how dark soever But most of all let Mary be thy fear And what thou learn'st inform me of I 'le act But in thy shape be thou my Proxy still Dav. Not Cromwell ever trod with so much care The subtle steps of his most famous Master As I the Dictates of the wiser Burleigh The Scottish Regent yesterday arriv'd With new discover'd Plots t' accuse his Queen And since to poise those heavy Articles The Duke of Norfolk is from Mary come And both are to have Audience straight Behold The Man I speak of Cec. Wait you on the Queen Exit Davison Enter Norfolk Your Grace is welcome from the Queen of Scotland How fares that sad and most illustrious Pattern Of all Misfortunes Norf. Dost thou pity her O let me fly and hold thee to my Bosom Closer and far more dear than ever Bride Was held by hasty Bride-Groom in his Arms Who says thou art not straighter than the Pine Thy Visage smoother than Diana's Cheeks Who says this little Globe upon thy Back Is not more beautiful than Natures World ◠Cec. My Lord you give what Nature never lent me Blushes Norf. Should the Hyenna thus bemoan And thus the neighbouring Rocks but eccho him My Queen I wou'd devour the precious Sound And thus embrace him from whose Lips it came Tho' wide and gaping as the Jaws of Hell My Lord I came to seek you I 've a Secret T' unfold which while I keep it weighs me down And when 't is out I fear it will destroy me Cec. Then keep it in your Breast let me not know What is not fit for you to speak nor me to hear Norf. O 't is o're charg'd and can no more be held Than Thunder when the Lightning has giv'n warning Now only now 's the time the Traytor Morton The false usurping Regent is return'd With all the Magazine of Hell about him The Queen my lovely Alban Queen 's in danger And if thou hear'st not to advise thy Norfolk There ne're will come a time for after-Counsel Cec. What is 't my Lord Norf. First wear the Looks of Mildness Such as forgiving Fathers do to Sons And hear and speak me gently for thy Soveraign Yet 't is no Treason unless Love be Treason Cec. Out with 't my Lord. Norf. I love the Queen of Scotland Cec. Ha! Love her How Norf. How should she be belov'd But as mild Saints do to their Altars bow And humble Patriarchs kiss the Copes of Angels Cec. Love her for what Norf. Not for a Crown I swear O hadst thou seen her in that Plight as I did And hadst been Alexander thou hadst kneel'd Thrown all thy Globes and Scepters at her feet And giv'n a Crown for every tear she shed Cec. I dare not hear you out Norf. By Heav'n 〈◊〉 shall Nor shall your Ears be deaf alone nice States man And see you Christal Pavement of the Heav'ns With Angels swarm'd more numerous than Stars Whose Voices louder than the breath of Thunder And swifter than the Winds proclaim to Earth Bright Mary's Wrongs and my eternal Love Cec. My Lord y 'ave said too much I dare not hear you Norf. Is pitying the distress'd and loving Her Whom none but Envy hates 〈◊〉 to hear Cec. What Reason has your Passion You 'd not marry her Norf. Not marry her Wou'd not a Saint choose Bliss A starving Creature rather eat than dye By Heav'n were she on Acheron's t'other side And charm'd me by my Love to overtake her I 'de swim the burning Lake to grasp her thus Embraces him Cec. For Pity recollect your banisht Reason Consider what y 'ave said it must undo you The Danger 's greater far than you can feign Do you not know that she 's accus'd of Treason That for the Royal Crown our Mistress wears She yet stands Candidate against all Force And hopes to snatch it from her rightful Head Norf. By the eternal Beams that bless the World 'T is false thou know'st false as the Sun is clear O Cecil tell me what thou truly think'st Thou hast a Soul with shining Wisdom crown'd Whose virtuous honest steps whoever tracks May challenge to be sav'd O tell me then Can Scotland's Queen be any but a Goddess Cec. I dare not utter every thought that pains me Nor can I longer with my Oath dispence An Oath that charges me for Life to hold No dang'rous Secret from the Queen Farewel Repent my Lord and urge this thing no more For 't will be fatal should our Mistress know it Norf. The Queen must know it you shall tell her too Therefore I came that thou shou'dst intercede You from whose Mouth the Queen takes nothing ill Cec. Not for the Crown she wears wou'd I acquaint her Norf. You must you shall Cec. Beware Ambition Sir The Queen has Jealousie to giv 't a Name Disloyalty Ambition is the least Norf. By Heav'n you wrong the faithful'st of her Subjects I 'de touch a Scorpion rather than her Scepter Her proud Regalias are but glittering Toys And the least Word or Look from Scotlands Queen Is worth whole Pyramids of Royal Lumber We only ask but Love and Liberty Give us but those we 'll quit her all the rest For where Love Reigns so absolute as here There is no room for any other thought Cec. My Lord consider what you 'd have me say I dare not speak not think of it Farewel Norf. Tell her or by my desperate Love I swear I 'le fly and do 't my self were she hemm'd in With Basilisks or were she Queen of Furies Love mighty Love should lead me and protect me Else by the Throne of Thrones that aws the World If she 'l not hear me I 'le proclaim aloud And hollow in her Ears the hated Sound Of Royal Mary's Wrongs And that it is because she has more Right And Title to her Crown