Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

SCENE VIII.

      Enter BURLEIGH, LEICESTER, and PAULET.

      [LEICESTER remains in the background, without raising
      his eyes; BURLEIGH, who remarks his confusion, steps
      between him and the QUEEN.

   BURLEIGH.
   I come, my Lady Stuart, to receive
   Your last commands and wishes.

   MARY.
                   Thanks, my lord.

   BURLEIGH.
   It is the pleasure of my royal mistress
   That nothing reasonable be denied you.

   MARY.
   My will, my lord, declares my last desires;
   I've placed it in the hand of Sir Amias,
   And humbly beg that it may be fulfilled.

   PAULET.
   You may rely on this.

   MARY.
               I beg that all
   My servants unmolested may return
   To France, or Scotland, as their wishes lead.

   BURLEIGH.
   It shall be as you wish.

   MARY.
                And since my body
   Is not to rest in consecrated ground,
   I pray you suffer this my faithful servant
   To bear my heart to France, to my relations—
   Alas! 'twas ever there.

   BURLEIGH.
                It shall be done.
   What wishes else?

   MARY.
             Unto her majesty
   Of England bear a sister's salutation;
   Tell her that from the bottom of my heart
   I pardon her my death; most humbly, too,
   I crave her to forgive me for the passion
   With which I spoke to her. May God preserve her
   And bless her with a long and prosperous reign.

   BURLEIGH.
   Say, do you still adhere to your resolve,
   And still refuse assistance from the dean?

   MARY.
   My lord, I've made my peace with God.

      [To PAULET.

                       Good sir,
   I have unwittingly caused you much sorrow,
   Bereft you of your age's only stay.
   Oh, let me hope you do not hate my name.

   PAULET (giving her his hand).
   The Lord be with you! Go your way in peace.