1

real and pretended friends. So convinced was Voltaire of the necessity of shewing the situation of the criminal, and at the same time so blind to the only mean of accomplishing it, that he makes his Mahomet, in a most artificial speech, describe minutely the horrors of his situation. I need not say how unnatural it is, to make the person under the immediate pressure of calamity, enter into the detail of his own sufferings.-Such reflections are natural for the spectator, and to him they are entirely left in Schiller's Mary Stuart.

The Author, as well as myself, wished this Piece to be acted upon the English Stage. It was not yet finished, when we made the offer of it; which was not even answered. I hope, however, that my translation will not be found to have so mutilated the merits of the original, that the prin ciple of Aristotle will not here too maintain its ground. He says, “ Ἡ γαρ τῆς τραγῳδιάς δύναμις, καὶ ἄνευ ἀγῶνος, καὶ ὑποκριθῶν ἐςιν.” For the force of

tragedy exists even without the help of represen tation and actors.

THE TRANSLATOR.

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.

Elizabeth, Queen of England.

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, a Prisoner in England,

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.

William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, Lord High-Treasurer. Earl of Kent.

Sir William Davison, Secretary of State.

Sir Amias Paulet, Keeeper of Mary.

Sir Edward Mortimer, his Nephew.

Count L'Aubespine, the French Ambassador.

Count Bellievre, Envoy Extraordinary from France

O'Kelly, Mortimer's Friend.

Sir Drue Drury, another Keeper of Mary.

Sir Andrew Melvil, her House-Steward.

Burgoyne, her Physician.

Hannah Kennedy, her Nurse.

Margaret Curl, her Attendant.

Sheriff of the County.

Officer of the Guard,

French and English Lords,

Soldiers.

Servants of State, belonging to Elizabeth.

Servants and Female Attendants of the Queen of Scots

ERRATA.

Page 5, line 4, for bounds, read bonds.

6, for bounds, read bonds.

8, for This realm against, read This realm, and

'gainst.

2, for You shall know, &c. read Sir, you shall

know, &c.

MARY STUART.

ACT I.

Scene. A COMMON APARTMENT IN THE CASTLE OF

FOTHERINGHAY.

Hannah Kennedy contending violently with Paulet, who is about to break open a Closet; Drury with an Iron Crow.

KENNEDY.

How

now, sir? what's this new temerity?

Back from this closet.

Paul. Say, whence came the jewels?

They from the upper story were thrown down:
They were intended, that we know, to bribe
The gard'ner-curse on woman's wiles! In spite
Of all
my care, my studious care, still treasures
B

In secret. Where such precious things are hid,

Lie, without doubt, still more.

[breaks open the closet, and searches.

Ken. Back, bold intruder ;

Here are deposited my lady's secrets.

Paul. 'Tis even that I seek. [pulling papers forth.

Ken. But trifling papers;

But the amusements of an idle pen,

To shorten the sad tediousness of bondage.
Paul. In idle hours, the evil spirit's busy.

Ken. Those writings are in French.-
Paul. So much the worse!

That is the language of the foe of England.

Ken. Copies of letters to the Queen of England.
Paul. I will deliver them :—what glitters here?

[pulling forth jewels from a secret compartment.

A royal diadem so richly set

With stones, and with the fleurs-de-lys of France!

[giving it to his companion.

Here, take it, Drury, lay it with the rest.—

[Drury goes.

And ye have found the means to hide from us

Such costly things, and screen them, till this moment, From our inquiring eyes?