Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

SCENE VI.

      MORTIMER (alone).

   Go, false, deceitful queen! As thou deludest
   The world, e'en so I cozen thee; 'tis right,
   Thus to betray thee; 'tis a worthy deed.
   Look I then like a murderer? Hast thou read
   Upon my brow such base dexterity?
   Trust only to my arm, and keep thine own
   Concealed—assume the pious outward show
   Of mercy 'fore the world, while reckoning
   In secret on my murderous aid; and thus
   By gaining time we shall insure her rescue.
   Thou wilt exalt me!—show'st me from afar
   The costly recompense: but even were
   Thyself the prize, and all thy woman's favor,
   What art thou, poor one, and what canst thou proffer?
   I scorn ambition's avaricious strife,
   With her alone is all the charm of life,
   O'er her, in rounds of endless glory, hover
   Spirits with grace, and youth eternal blessed,
   Celestial joy is throned upon her breast.
   Thou hast but earthly, mortal goods to offer—
   That sovereign good, for which all else be slighted,
   When heart in heart, delighting and delighted;
   Together flow in sweet forgetfulness;—
   Ne'er didst thou woman's fairest crown possess,
   Ne'er hast thou with thy hand a lover's heart requited.
   I must attend Lord Leicester, and deliver
   Her letter to him—'tis a hateful charge—
   I have no confidence in this court puppet—
   I can effect her rescue, I alone;
   Be danger, honor, and the prize my own.

      [As he is going, PAULET meets him.