Mary Stuart

SCENE III.

Enter HANNAH KENNEDY.

KENNEDY (to CURL).

Go, madam, and require a cup of wine-

'Tis for our lady.

MELVIL.

Is the queen then sick?

KENNEDY.

She thinks that she is strong; she is deceived

By her heroic courage; she believes

She has no need of nourishment; yet still

A hard and painful task's allotted her.

Her enemies shall not enjoy the triumph;

They shall not say that fear hath blanched her cheeks

When her fatigues have conquered human weakness.

MELVIL.

May I approach her?

KENNEDY.

She will come herself.