Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

SCENE XII.

      Enter a PAGE.

   ELIZABETH.
   Returned alone? Where are the lords?

   PAGE.
   My Lord High-Treasurer and the Earl of Leicester?

   ELIZABETH.
   Where are they?

   PAGE.
            They are not in London.

   ELIZABETH.
                        No!
   Where are they then?

   PAGE.
              That no one could inform me;
   Before the dawn, mysteriously, in haste
   They quitted London.

   ELIZABETH (exultingly).
              I am Queen of England!

      [Walking up and down in the greatest agitation.

   Go—call me—no, remain, boy! She is dead;
   Now have I room upon the earth at last.
   Why do I shake? Whence comes this aguish dread?
   My fears are covered by the grave; who dares
   To say I did it? I have tears enough
   In store to weep her fall. Are you still here?
                    [To the PAGE.
   Command my secretary, Davison,
   To come to me this instant. Let the Earl
   Of Shrewsbury be summoned. Here he comes.

              [Exit PAGE.