Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

SCENE XII.

      DAVISON, then BURLEIGH.

   DAVISON.
   She goes! She leaves me doubting and perplexed
   With this dread paper! How to act I know not;
   Should I retain it, should I forward it?

      [To BURLEIGH, who enters.

   Oh! I am glad that you are come, my lord,
   'Tis you who have preferred me to this charge;
   Now free me from it, for I undertook it,
   Unknowing how responsible it made me.
   Let me then seek again the obscurity
   In which you found me; this is not my place.

   BURLEIGH.
   How now? Take courage, sir! Where is the warrant?
   The queen was with you.

   DAVISON.
                She has quitted me
   In bitter anger. Oh, advise me, help me,
   Save me from this fell agony of doubt!
   My lord, here is the warrant: it is signed!

   BURLEIGH.
   Indeed! Oh, give it, give it me!

   DAVISON.
                     I may not.

   BURLEIGH.
   How!

   DAVISON.
      She has not yet explained her final will.

   BURLEIGH.
   Explained! She has subscribed it;—give it to me.

   DAVISON.
   I am to execute it, and I am not.
   Great heavens! I know not what I am to do!

   BURLEIGH (urging more violently).
   It must be now, this moment, executed.
   The warrant, sir. You're lost if you delay.

   DAVISON.
   So am I also if I act too rashly.

   BURLEIGH.
   What strange infatuation. Give it me.

      [Snatches the paper from him, and exit with it.

   DAVISON.
   What would you? Hold? You will be my destruction.