The Works of Frederick Schiller Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Works of Frederick Schiller novel. A total of 559 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Works of Frederich Schiller in English.by Frederich Schiller.PREFACE TO THE SIXTH ED
The Works of Frederich Schiller in English.by Frederich Schiller.PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION.The present is the best collected edition of the important works of Schiller which is accessible to readers in the English language.Detached poems or dramas have
- 459 ISABELLA.For this her ruthless father spoke The dire behest of death. I rescued her, The innocent, the doomed one; from my arms The babe was torn; to stay the curse of heaven, And save my sons, the mother gave her child; And now by robber hands her brothe
- 458 ISABELLA.I am thy mother, and Messina's princess!BEATRICE.Art thou Don Manuel's and Don Caesar's mother?ISABELLA.And thine! They are thy brethren whom thou namest.BEATRICE.Oh, gleam of horrid light!ISABELLA.What troubles thee?Say, whence this strange e
- 457 Chorus (BOHEMUND). New signs of terror to my boding soul Are pictured;--in amazement lost I stand! What light shall pierce this gloom of mystery? ISABELLA (to the Chorus, who exhibit marks of confusion and embarra.s.sment). Oh, ye hard hearts! Ye rude unp
- 456 DIEGO.All shall yet be well; Fortune, propitious to our hopes, gave pledge Of bliss that time will show.ISABELLA.I praise not yet My natal star, while darkening o'er my fate This mystery hangs: too well the dire mischance Tells of the fiend whose never-s
- 455 [Exit.[The senseless BEATRICE is placed on a litter and carried away by the Second Chorus. The First Chorus remains with the body, round which the boys who bear the bridal presents range themselves in a semicircle.Chorus (CAJETAN).List, how with dreaded m
- 454 DON CAESAR (behind the scene).Away! What rabble throng is here?BEATRICE.That voice!Oh heavens! Where shall I fly!DON MANUEL.Know'st thou that voice?No! thou hast never heard it; to thine ear 'Tis strange---- BEATRICE.Oh, come--delay not---- DON MANUEL.W
- 453 BEATRICE.Oh, trust me; mighty men Are here!DON MANUEL.Beloved! mightier none than I!BEATRICE.And wouldst thou brave this warlike host alone?DON MANUEL.Alone! the men thou fear'st---- BEATRICE.Thou know'st them not, Nor whom they serve.DON MANUEL.Myself!
- 452 CAJETAN.Thy looks But move my scorn; the compact I obey.BOHEMUND.The coward's ready s.h.i.+eld!CAJETAN.Come on! I follow.BOHEMUND.To arms!BEATRICE (in the greatest agitation).Their falchions gleam--the strife begins!Ye heavenly powers, his steps refrain!
- 451 When will the ancient curse be stilled that weighs Upon our house? Some mocking demon sports With every new-formed hope, nor envious leaves One hour of joy. So near the haven smiled-- So smooth the treacherous main--secure I deemed My happiness: the storm
- 450 ISABELLA (rising suddenly).'Twas force! 'twas savage spoil!Ne'er has my child, reckless of honor's ties With vile seducer fled! My sons! Awake!I thought to give a sister to your arms; I ask a daughter from your swords! Arise!Avenge this wrong! To arms
- 449 What brought her to my side, or whence She came, I know not:--from her presence quick Some secret all-pervading inward charm Awoke; 'twas not the magic of a smile, Nor playful Cupid in her cheeks, nor more, The form of peerless grace;--'twas beauty's s
- 448 Now haste and watch, with curious eye, These hallowed precincts round, That no presumptuous foot come nigh The secret, solitary ground Guard well the maiden fair, Your chieftain's brightest jewel owns your care.[The Chorus withdraws to the background.[Th
- 447 Hark! the sweet voice! No! 'twas the echoing surge That beats upon the sh.o.r.e; alas! he comes not.More faintly, o'er the distant waves, the sun Gleams with expiring ray; a deathlike shudder Creeps to my heart, and sadder, drearier grows E'en desolati
- 446 A secret to herself,--she ne'er has learned Her name or fatherland.Chorus (CAJETAN).And not a trace Guides to her being's undiscovered springs?DON MANUEL.An old domestic, the sole messenger Sent by her unknown mother, oft bespeaks her Of kingly race.Cho
- 445 I bring another joy; My staff is green with flouris.h.i.+ng shoots.DON CAESAR (taking him aside).Oh, tell me Thy gladsome message.MESSENGER.All is happiness On this auspicious day; long sought, the lost one Is found.DON CAESAR.Discovered! Oh, where is she
- 444 [She goes away; the BROTHERS stand as before.Chorus (CAJETAN).How have her words with soft control Resistless calmed the tempest of my soul!No guilt of kindred blood be mine!Thus with uplifted hands I prey; Think, brothers, on the awful day, And tremble a
- 443 First Chorus (CAJETAN).Welcome the peaceful strain!Together we adore the guardian power Of these august abodes!Sacred the hour To kindred brotherly ties And reverend, holy sympathies;-- Our hearts the genial charm shall own, And melt awhile at friends.h.i
- 442 [Her banner falls and she sinks lifeless on the ground.All remain for some time in speechless sorrow. Upon a signal from the KING, all the banners are gently placed over her, so that she is entirely concealed by them.THE BRIDE OF MESSINA AND ON THE USE OF
- 441 What? Will she s.n.a.t.c.h from us the victory?SOLDIER.She presses forward, right towards the king.She reaches him--she bears him from the fight-- Lord Fastolfe falls--the general is taken!ISABEL.I'll hear no more! Come down!SOLDIER.Fly, queen! you will
- 440 SOLDIER.Alas! What do I see? Our general's Surrounded by the foe!ISABEL (points the dagger at JOHANNA).Die, wretch!SOLDIER (quickly).He's free!The gallant Fastolfe in the rear attacks The enemy--he breaks their serried ranks.ISABEL (withdrawing the dagg
- 439 LIONEL. Promise, Johanna, not to free thyself. JOHANNA. To free myself is now my only wish. ISABEL. Bind her with triple chains. I pledged my life That she shall not escape. [She is bound with heavy chains. LIONEL (to JOHANNA). Thou willst it so! Thou dos
- 438 If G.o.d hath turned your hearts, Oh hasten, I entreat you--rescue her She is a prisoner in the English camp.DUNOIS.A prisoner say you?ARCHBISHOP.Poor unfortunate!RAIMOND.There in the forest as we sought for shelter, We were encountered by Queen Isabel, W
- 437 JOHANNA, SOLDIERS.JOHANNA (to the soldiers).Ye English, suffer not that I escape Alive out of your hands! Revenge yourselves!Unsheath your weapons, plunge them in my heart, And drag me lifeless to your general's feet!Remember it was I who slew your heroe
- 436 But could I ever dream a human heart Would meet in silence such a fearful doom!JOHANNA.Should I deserve to be heaven's messenger Unless the Master's will I blindly honored?And I am not so wretched as thou thinkest.I feel privation--this in humble life I
- 435 [To JOHANNA.Drink, n.o.ble maiden! may G.o.d bless it to you!CHARCOAL-BURNER (to his son).Art come, Anet? What news?[The boy looks at JOHANNA, who is just raising the bowl to her lips; he recognizes her, steps forward, and s.n.a.t.c.hes it from her.BOY.Oh
- 434 DUCHATEL (returning).Johanna d'Arc! uninjured from the town The king permits you to depart. The gates Stand open to you. Fear no injury,-- You are protected by the royal word.Come follow me, Dunois! You cannot here Longer abide with honor. What an issue!
- 433 BURGUNDY.Ha! What's this?DUCHATEL.Now will the fearful truth appear!THIBAUT (to the KING).Thou think'st That thou art rescued through the power of G.o.d?Deluded prince! Deluded mult.i.tude!Ye have been rescued through the arts of h.e.l.l![All step back
- 432 JOHANNA.I am so, Now I again behold you, once again Your voices hear, whose fond, familiar tones Bring to my mind my dear paternal fields.When on my native hills I drove my herd, Then I was happy as in paradise-- I ne'er can be so more, no, never more![S
- 431 THIBAUT.Surprise her, hurl her down From her vain happiness, and forcibly Restore her to the G.o.d whom she denies.RAIMOND.Oh, do not work the ruin of your child!THIBAUT.If her soul lives, her mortal part may die.[JOHANNA rushes out of the church, without
- 430 MARGOT.Thou doubtest still!Thou wilt thyself behold her!BERTRAND.See, they come!SCENE VI.Musicians, with flutes and hautboys, open the procession. Children follow, dressed in white, with branches in their hands; behind them two heralds. Then a procession
- 429 JOHANNA.Away! away!LA HIRE.Art thou terrified At thine own banner, maiden? Look at it![He displays the banner.It is the same thou didst in conquest wave.Imaged upon it is the queen of heaven, Floating in glory o'er this earthly ball; For so the Holy Moth
- 428 SOREL.Forbid me not! 'tis the excess of joy Which throws me at thy feet--I must pour forth My o'ercharged heart in grat.i.tude to G.o.d; I wors.h.i.+p the Invisible in thee.Thou art the angel who has led my lord To Rheims, to crown him with the royal cr
- 427 Let him escape! Maiden, the righteous cause Hath triumphed now. Rheims opens wide its gates; The joyous crowds pour forth to meet their king.LA HIRE.What ails thee, maiden? She grows pale--she sinks![JOHANNA grows dizzy, and is about to fall.DUNOIS.She's
- 426 JOHANNA (hiding her face). Woes me! LIONEL (approaching her). Tis said Thou killest all the English whom thy sword Subdues in battle--why spare me alone? JOHANNA (raises her sword with a rapid movement as if to strike him, but lets it fall quickly when sh
- 425 JOHANNA.Deep in my soul I hate thee as the night, which is thy color; To blot thee out from the fair light of day An irresistible desire impels me.Who art thou? Raise thy visor. I had said That thou wert Talbot had I not myself Seen warlike Talbot in the
- 424 SCENE VII.CHARLES, BURGUNDY, DUNOIS, DUCHATEL, and Soldiers.BURGUNDY.The trench is stormed!DUNOIS.The victory is ours!CHARLES (perceiving TALBOT.) Look! Who is he, who yonder of the sun Taketh reluctant, sorrowful farewell?His armor indicates no common ma
- 423 What tidings? Speak!KNIGHT.The foe has crossed the Marne, And marshalleth his army for the fight.JOHANNA (inspired).Battle and tumult! Now my soul is free.Arm, warriors, arm! while I prepare the troops.[She goes out.CHARLES.Follow, La Hire! E'en at the g
- 422 Beneath thy royal sceptre thou shalt gather The realm entire of France. Thou shalt become The root and ancestor of mighty kings; Succeeding monarchs, in their regal state, Shall those outs.h.i.+ne, who filled the throne before.Thy stock, in majesty shall
- 421 Believe me, sire, I'll make amends for all.Your bitter sorrow I will compensate; You shall receive your kingdom back entire, A solitary village shall not fail!CHARLES.We are united. Now I fear no foe.BURGUNDY.Trust me, it was not with a joyous spirit Tha
- 420 DUNOIS.Up! forth to meet him![Exit with LA HIRE and CHATILLON.CHARLES (to SOREL).My Agnes! thou dost weep! Even my strength Doth almost fail me at this interview.How many victims have been doomed to fall Ere we could meet in peace and reconcilement!But ev
- 419 She, like myself, is holy Nature's child, A child divine--hence we by birth are equal.She bring dishonor on a prince's hand, Who is the holy angel's bride, whose head Is by a heavenly glory circled round, Whose radiance far outs.h.i.+neth earthly crown
- 418 DUNOIS.Why, maiden, now hold back my upraised arm?Why check the just decision of the sword?My weapon pants to deal the fatal blow Which shall avenge and heal the woes of France.[She places herself in the midst and separates the parties.JOHANNA.Fall back,
- 417 MONTGOMERY.'Tis hard in foreign lands to die unwept.JOHANNA.Who called you over to this foreign land, To waste the blooming culture of our fields, To chase the peasant from his household hearth, And in our cities' peaceful sanctuary To hurl the direful
- 416 It cannot be! How came she in the camp?3 SOLDIER.Why, through the air! The devil aided her!4 AND 5 SOLDIERS.Fly! fly! We are dead men!TALBOT (enters).They heed me not! They stay not at my call!The sacred bands of discipline are loosed!As h.e.l.l had poure
- 415 SCENE III.TALBOT, BURGUNDY, LIONEL.TALBOT.Heavens! What a woman!LIONEL.Now, brave generals, Your counsel! Shall we prosecute our flight, Or turn, and with a bold and sudden stroke Wipe out the foul dishonor of to-day?BURGUNDY.We are too weak, our soldiers
- 414 BURGUNDY.Go! go! The thought of combating for you Unnerves the courage of the bravest men.ISABEL.I scarce among you have established peace, And you already form a league against me!TALBOT.Go, in G.o.d's name. When you have left the camp No devil will aga
- 413 Yet much you stood in need of our alliance; The regent purchased it at heavy cost.TALBOT.Most dearly, with the forfeit of our honor, At Orleans have we paid for it to-day.BURGUNDY.Urge me no further, lords. Ye may repent it!Did I forsake the banners of my
- 412 This morn, while gazing from Le Tournelle's tower, A ball from Orleans struck him to the ground.Smilest thou that I discern what is remote?Not to my words give credence; but believe The witness of thine eyes! his funeral train Thou shalt encounter as you
- 411 [The knights clang their arms and step forward.CHARLES.Yes, holy maiden, do thou lead mine host; My chiefs and warriors shall submit to thee.This sword of matchless temper, proved in war, Sent back in anger by the Constable, Hath found a hand more worthy.
- 410 CHARLES.Maiden, thou ne'er hast seen my face before.Whence hast thou then this knowledge?JOHANNA.Thee I saw When none beside, save G.o.d in heaven, beheld thee.[She approaches the KING, and speaks mysteriously.Bethink thee, Dauphin, in the bygone night,
- 409 SOREL.Conquered! Oh, heavenly music of that word!CHARLES.La Hire! A fabulous report deceives thee; Conquered! In conquest I believe no more.LA HIRE.Still greater wonders thou wilt soon believe.Here cometh the archbishop. To thine arms He leadeth back Duno
- 408 SOREL (wringing her hands in despair).Oh, if he goes, we are forsaken quite!Follow, La Hire! Oh, seek to soften him![LA HIRE goes out.SCENE VI.CHARLES, SOREL, DUCHATEL.CHARLES.Is, then, the sceptre such a peerless treasure?Is it so hard to loose it from o
- 407 CHARLES.Oh, mother! mother!LA HIRE.E'en the murderous bands Of the Burgundians, at this spectacle, Evinced some tokens of indignant shame.The queen perceived it, and addressed the crowds, Exclaiming with loud voice: "Be grateful, Frenchmen, That I engra
- 406 Oh, come! Let my example challenge thee To n.o.ble self-denial! Let's at once Cast off the needless ornaments of life!Thy courtiers metamorphose into soldiers; Thy gold trans.m.u.te to iron; all thou hast, With resolute daring, venture for thy crown!Peri
- 405 DUNOIS.And could Saintrailles consent to give his voice To such a shameful compact?SENATOR.Never, sir!Long as the hero lived, none dared to breathe A single word of treaty or surrender.DUNOIS.He then is dead?SENATOR.The n.o.ble hero fell, His monarch's c
- 404 CHARLES.Thou'rt in a pleasant humor; undisturbed I'll leave thee to enjoy it. Hark, Duchatel!Amba.s.sadors are here from old King Rene, Of tuneful songs the master, far renowned.Let them as honored guests be entertained, And unto each present a chain of
- 403 What strange power Hath seized the maiden?RAIMOND.Doubtless 'tis the helmet Which doth inspire her with such martial thoughts.Look at your daughter. Mark her flas.h.i.+ng eye, Her glowing cheek, which kindles as with fire.JOHANNA.This realm shall fall! T
- 402 Thus she pursued me closely through the streets, Still offering the helm, which I refused.I marked it well, and saw that it was bright, And fair and worthy of a knightly head; And when in doubt I weighed it in my hand, The strangeness of the incident revo
- 401 MARGOT (embracing JOHANNA).Gladden our father--follow our example!Let this day see three unions ratified!THIBAUT.Now go; make all things ready; for the morn Shall see the wedding. Let our village friends Be all a.s.sembled for the festival.[The two couple
- 400 But suffer me, great queen, to give the seal, Which, these twelve years, I've borne unworthily, Back to your royal hands, and take my leave.ELIZABETH (surprised).No, Shrewsbury; you surely would not now Desert me? No; not now.SHREWSBURY.Pardon, I am Too
- 399 DAVISON.Into my charge, my liege!ELIZABETH.The people urged And baited me to sign it. I perforce Was driven to yield obedience to their will.I did so; did so on extreme constraint, And in your hands deposited the paper.To gain time was my purpose; you rem
- 398 And sobs and women's moans are all I hear.Now, they undress her; they remove the stool; She kneels upon the cus.h.i.+on; lays her head---- [Having spoken these last words, and paused awhile, he is seen with a convulsive motion suddenly to shrink and fain
- 397 PAULET (giving her his hand).The Lord be with you! Go your way in peace.SCENE IX.HANNAH KENNEDY, and the other women of the QUEEN crowd into the room with marks of horror. The SHERIFF follows them, a white staff in his hand; behind are seen, through the o
- 396 But, I repeat it, my confession's ended.MELVIL.Consider well--the heart is a deceiver.Thou hast, perhaps, with sly equivocation, The word avoided, which would make thee guilty Although thy will was party to the crime.Remember, that no juggler's tricks c
- 395 MELVIL.Compose your heart; the fervent, pious wish Is prized in heaven as high as the performance.The might of tyrants can but bind the hands, The heart's devotion rises free to G.o.d, The word is dead--'tis faith which brings to life.MARY.The heart is
- 394 CURL.All the walls were hung With black; a s.p.a.cious scaffold, too, o'erspread With sable cloth, was raised above the floor, And in the middle of the scaffold stood A dreadful sable block! upon it lay A naked, polished axe:--the hall was full Of cruel
- 393 Melvil, sure, The ancient steward? MELVIL. Yes, the same. CURL. Oh, sir, This is a house which needs no steward now! Melvil, you come from London; can you give No tidings of my husband? MELVIL. It is said He will be set at liberty as soon---- CURL. As soo
- 392 What strange infatuation. Give it me.[s.n.a.t.c.hes the paper from him, and exit with it.DAVISON.What would you? Hold? You will be my destruction.ACT V.SCENE I.The Scene the same as in the First Act.HANNAH KENNEDY in deep mourning, her eyes still red from
- 391 Permit me, in this weighty act, to be Your pa.s.sive instrument, without a will:-- Tell me in plain, undoubted terms your pleasure, What with the b.l.o.o.d.y mandate I should do.ELIZABETH.Its name declares its meaning.DAVISON.Do you, then, My liege, comma
- 390 G.o.d is my witness that I have not lived For my own sake, but for my people's welfare.If they expect from this false, fawning Stuart, The younger sovereign, more happy days, I will descend with pleasure from the throne, Again repair to Woodstock's quie
- 389 So be the warrant instantly prepared.[BURLEIGH withdraws; a tumult heard without.SCENE VII.The QUEEN, the EARL OF KENT.ELIZABETH.How now, my Lord of Kent? What uproar's this I hear without?KENT.My queen, it is thy people, Who, round the palace ranged, im
- 388 BURLEIGH.How? You?LEICESTER.Yes, I, my lord; the queen confided In Mortimer; she opened to the youth Her inmost soul! Yes, she went further still; She gave him, too, a secret, b.l.o.o.d.y charge, Which Paulet had before refused with horror.Say, is it so,
- 387 [Humbly approaching ELIZABETH.'Tis from my sovereign's lips alone that I---- ELIZABETH (without looking at him).Out of my sight, deceitful, worthless traitor!LEICESTER.'Tis not my gracious queen I hear, but Burleigh, My enemy, in these ungentle words.T
- 386 ELIZABETH, with a letter in her hand, BURLEIGH.ELIZABETH.To lure me thither! trifle with me thus!The traitor! Thus to lead me, as in triumph, Into the presence of his paramour!Oh, Burleigh! ne'er was woman so deceived.BURLEIGH.I cannot yet conceive what
- 385 LEICESTER.What's that to me?MORTIMER.They know, too, That the a.s.sa.s.sin---- LEICESTER.That is your affair-- Audacious wretch! to dare to mix my name In your detested outrage: go; defend Your b.l.o.o.d.y deeds yourself!MORTIMER.But only hear me.LEICEST
- 384 AUBESPINE.My monarch in my person is insulted, He will annul the marriage contract.BURLEIGH.That My royal mistress has annulled already; England will not unite herself with France.My Lord of Kent, I give to you the charge To see Count Aubespine embarked i
- 383 AUBESPINE. How fares her majesty? My lords, you see me Still stunned, and quite beside myself for terror! How happened it? How was it possible That in the midst of this most loyal people---- LEICESTER. The deed was not attempted by the people. The a.s.sa.
- 382 Down with her, down into the darkest dungeon! MORTIMER. What is the matter? What has pa.s.sed? PAULET. The queen! Accursed hand! Infernal machination! MORTIMER. The queen! What queen? PAULET. What queen! The Queen of England; She has been murdered on the
- 381 MORTIMER.What is the life of all compared to thee, And to my love? The bond which holds the world Together may be loosed, a second deluge Come rolling on, and swallow all creation!Henceforth I value nothing; ere I quit My hold on thee, may earth and time
- 380 SCENE VI.Enter MORTIMER.KENNEDY.Oh, Sir! What an occurrence!MORTIMER.I heard all-- [Gives the nurse a sign to repair to her post, and draws nearer; his whole appearance expresses the utmost violence of pa.s.sion.Thine is the palm;--thou trod'st her to th
- 379 MARY.I'm in the hand of heaven. You never will Exert so cruelly the power it gives you.ELIZABETH.Who shall prevent me? Say, did not your uncle Set all the kings of Europe the example, How to conclude a peace with those they hate.Be mine the school of Sai
- 378 PAULET.The queen approaches.[They all draw aside; MARY alone remains, leaning on KENNEDY.SCENE IV.The same, ELIZABETH, EARL OF LEICESTER, and Retinue.ELIZABETH (to LEICESTER).What seat is that, my lord?LEICESTER.'Tis Fotheringay.ELIZABETH (to SHREWSBURY)
- 377 A greater still! What do you mean by that?PAULET.You heard the bugle-horns?MARY (starting back with foreboding apprehension).You frighten me.PAULET.The queen is hunting in the neighborhood---- MARY.What!PAULET.In a few moments she'll appear before you.KE
- 376 ELIZABETH.If I am foolish, Be yours the fault, not mine. I would not care To-day to cross your wishes; for to-day I've grieved you more than all my other subjects.[Tenderly.Let it then be your fancy. Leicester, hence You see the free obsequiousness of lo
- 375 [Exit.SCENE IX.ELIZABETH, LEICESTER.ELIZABETH.Say, who was here? I heard the sound of voices.LEICESTER (turning quickly and perplexed round on hearing the QUEEN).It was young Mortimer---- ELIZABETH.How now, my lord: Why so confused?LEICESTER (collecting h
- 374 You wish to rescue Mary, and possess her; You find confederates; sudden, unexpected, The readiest means fall, as it were from Heaven, Yet you show more perplexity than joy.LEICESTER.We must avoid all violence; it is Too dangerous an enterprise.MORTIMER.De
- 373 LEICESTER (having hastily run through the letter).You know the purport of this letter, sir.MORTIMER.Not I.LEICESTER.Indeed! She surely hath informed you.MORTIMER.Nothing hath she informed me of. She said You would explain this riddle to me--'tis To me a
- 372 MORTIMER.What are these fears? What are you dreaming of?PAULET.How high soever the queen may pledge herself To raise you, trust not her alluring words.[The spirit of the world's a lying spirit, And vice is a deceitful, treacherous friend.]She will deny y
- 371 ELIZABETH.You've made acquaintance with the foes of England.Their hate against me is implacable; Their fell designs are inexhaustible.As yet, indeed, Almighty Providence Hath s.h.i.+elded me; but on my brows the crown Forever trembles, while she lives wh
- 370 ELIZABETH.This, Walsingham hath written us.MORTIMER.Besides, a bull, which from the Vatican Pope Sixtus lately levelled at thy throne, Arrived at Rheims, as I was leaving it; With the next s.h.i.+p we may expect it here.LEICESTER.England no more is fright
- 369 None will, by speaking in her favor, dare To meet thy anger: stiffer, then, an old And faithful counsellor (whom naught on earth Can tempt on the grave's brink) to exercise The pious duty of humanity.It never shall be said that, in thy council, Pa.s.sion
- 368 ELIZABETH.What wishes he?[She takes a ring from her finger, and thoughtfully examines it.In this a queen has not One privilege above all other women.This common token marks one common duty, One common servitude; the ring denotes Marriage, and 'tis of rin
- 367 PAULET.But not my conscience.BURLEIGH.Though you refuse us, sir, your own a.s.sistance, You will not sure prevent another's hand.PAULET.No murderer's foot shall e'er approach her threshold Whilst she's protected by my household G.o.ds.Her life's a sa
- 366 MARY.I am the weak, she is the mighty one: 'Tis well, my lord; let her, then, use her power; Let her destroy me; let me bleed, that she May live secure; but let her, then, confess That she hath exercised her power alone, And not contaminate the name of j
- 365 I wished not that:--I wished it not, by Heaven!When did I strive at that? Where are your proofs?BURLEIGH.I came not hither to dispute; your cause Is no more subject to a war of words.The great majority of forty voices Hath found that you have contravened
- 364 SCENE VII.Enter LORD BURLEIGH, and PAULET.PAULET (to MARY).You wished to-day a.s.surance of your fate; My Lord of Burleigh brings it to you now; Hear it with resignation, as beseems you.MARY.I hope with dignity, as it becomes My innocence, and my exalted
- 363 MORTIMER.She will most surely dare it, doubt it not.MARY.And can she thus roll in the very dust Her own, and every monarch's majesty?MORTIMER.She thinks on nothing now but present danger, Nor looks to that which is so far removed.MARY.And fears she not t
- 362 MORTIMER.I scarce, my liege, had numbered twenty years, Trained in the path of strictest discipline And nursed in deadliest hate to papacy, When led by irresistible desire For foreign travel, I resolved to leave My country and its puritanic faith Far, far
- 361 Or fall in deep repentance at your feet?No; the base wretch defied you; he, who was Your bounty's creature, wished to play your king, [And strove, through fear, to force your inclination.]Before your eyes he had your favorite singer, Poor Rizzio, murdere
- 360 I cannot tell.MARY.Am I condemned?PAULET.I cannot answer, lady.MARY.[Sir, a good work fears not the light of day.PAULET.The day will s.h.i.+ne upon it, doubt it not.]MARY.Despatch is here the fas.h.i.+on. Is it meant The murderer shall surprise me, like t