Mary Stuart

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.