Then let it be presented to the Queen;
Her Majesty must sign it.-Hasten, Sir,

We have no time to lose.

Dav. It shall be done.

L'Aub. My lord high Treasurer, my

[he goes.

faithful heart

Partakes the just rejoicings of the realm;
Prais'd be almighty God, who hath averted
Assassination from our much-lov'd Queen!-

Bur. Prais'd be his name, who thus hath turn'd to

scorn

The malice of our foes!

L'Aub. May God confound

The perpetrator of this cursed deed!

Bur. Its perpetrator and its base contriver!

L'Aub. Please you, my lord, to bring me to the

Queen,

That I may lay the warm congratulations

Of

my imperial master at her feet.

Burl. There is no need of this.

L'Aub. [officiously.] My lord of Burleigh, I know my duty.

Bur. Sir, your duty is

To quit, and that without delay, this kingdom.

L'Aub. [stepping back with signs of wonder.] How!

what was that?

Bur. The sacred character

Of an Embassador to-day protects you,

But not to-morrow.

L'Aub. What's my

Bur. Should I

crime?-

Once name it, 'there were then no pardon for it.—
L'Aub. I hope, my lord, my charge's privilege
Bur. Screens not a traitor.

Lei. and Kent. What was that ?

L'Aub. My lord,

Consider well

Bur. Your passport was discover'd

In the assassin's pocket.

Kent. Righteous heav'n!

1

L'Aub. Sir, many passports are subscrib'd by me, I cannot know the secret thoughts of men.

Bur. He in your house confess'd, and was absolv’d— L'Aub. My house is open

Bur. To our enemies.

L'Aub. I claim a strict inquiry-
Bur. Tremble at it-

L'Aub. My monarch, in my person, is insulted, He will annul the marriage contract.—

Bur. That

My royal mistress has annull'd already ;
England will not unite herself with France.
My lord of Kent, I give it you in charge
To see the Count L'Aubespine embark'd in safety.
The furious populace has storm'd his palace,
Where a whole arsenal of arms was found;

And should they see him they would tear him piece

meal.

Conceal him till their fury is abated,

You answer for his life.

L'Aub. I go I leave

This kingdom, where they sport with public treaties,
And trample on the laws of nations: yet
My monarch, be assur'd, will vent his rage
In bloody vengeance!-

Bur. Let him seek it here.

[Exeunt Kent and L'Aubespine.

L

Leicester, Burleigh.

Lei. And thus you loose, yourself, the knot of union Which you officiously, uncall'd for, bound!

You have deserv'd but little of your country,

My lord; this trouble was superfluous.

C

Bur. My aim was good, though fate declar'd against

it;

Happy is he who has so fair a conscience !

MAN

Lei. Well know we the mysterious mien of Burleigh,

When he is on the hunt for deeds of treason.

Now you are in your element, my

lord;

A monstrous outrage has been just committed,

And darkness veils, as yet, its perpetrators :

Now will a court of inquisition rise;

Each word, each look be weigh'd; men's very thoughts
Be call'd before the bar ;, and you, my lord,
Are the important man, the mighty Atlas
Of state, all England rests upon your shoulders.

Bur. In you, my lord, I recognize my master ;

For such a vict'ry, as your eloquence

Has gain'd, I cannot boast.

Lei. My lord, your meaning.

Bur. You were the man who knew, behind my

back,

To lure the Queen to Fotheringay-castle.

Lei. Behind your back! when did I fear to act
your face?

Before

Bur. You led her Majesty?

O, no-you

led her not-it was the Queen

Who was so gracious to conduct you thither.
Lei. What mean you, lord, by that?—

Bur. The noble part

You forc'd the Queen to play! the glorious triumph Which you prepar'd for her! too gracious princess! So shamelessly, so wantonly to mock

Thy unsuspecting goodness, to betray thee

So pitiless to thy exulting foe!

This then's the magnanimity, the grace

Which suddenly possess'd you in the council!
This Stuart is for this so despicable,

So weak an enemy, that it would scarce

Be worth the pains, to stain us with her blood.