For mercy, sir; and from my earthly judges
I hope, and still expect, the strictest justice.
PAULET
Justice, depend upon it, will be done you.
MARY
Is the suit ended, sir?
PAULET
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 shine upon it, doubt it not.]
MARY
Despatch is here the fashion. Is it meant
The murderer shall surprise me, like the judges?
PAULET
Still entertain that thought and he will find you
Better prepared to meet your fate than they did.
MARY (after a pause)
Sir, nothing can surprise me which a court
Inspired by Burleigh's hate and Hatton's zeal,
Howe'er unjust, may venture to pronounce:
But I have yet to learn how far the queen
Will dare in execution of the sentence.
PAULET
The sovereigns of England have no fear
But for their conscience and their parliament.
What justice hath decreed her fearless hand
Will execute before the assembled world.
SCENE III
The same. MORTIMER enters, and without paying attention to the QUEEN, addresses PAULET.
MORTIMER
Uncle, you're sought for.
[He retires in the same manner. The QUEEN remarks it, and turns towards PAULET, who is about to follow him.
MARY
Sir, one favor more
If you have aught to say to me – from you
I can bear much – I reverence your gray hairs;
But cannot bear that young man's insolence;
Spare me in future his unmannered rudeness.
PAULET
I prize him most for that which makes you hate him
He is not, truly, one of those poor fools
Who melt before a woman's treacherous tears.
He has seen much – has been to Rheims and Paris,
And brings us back his true old English heart.
Lady, your cunning arts are lost on him.
[Exit.
SCENE IV
MARY, KENNEDY.
KENNEDY
And dare the ruffian venture to your face
Such language! Oh, 'tis hard – 'tis past endurance.
MARY (lost in reflection)
In the fair moments of our former splendor
We lent to flatterers a too willing ear; —
It is but just, good Hannah, we should now
Be forced to hear the bitter voice of censure.