Himself for her; the deep, the bitter anguish
Of that old knight, who lost, through her, his last,
His only hope; till then she shed no tear-
'Twas then her tears began to flow, 'twas not
Her own, but others' woe which wrung them from her.
MELVIL.
Where is she now? Can you not lead me to her?
KENNEDY.
She spent the last remainder of the night
In prayer, and from her dearest friends she took
Her last farewell in writing: then she wrote
Her will [1] with her own hand. She now enjoys
A moment of repose, the latest slumber
Refreshes her weak spirits.
MELVIL.
Who attends her?
KENNEDY.
None but her women and physician Burgoyn:
You seem to look around you with surprise;
Your eyes appear to ask me what should mean
This show of splendor in the house of death.
Oh, sir, while yet we lived we suffered want;
But at our death plenty returns to us.
SCENE II.
Enter MARGARET CURL.
KENNEDY.
How, madam, fares the queen? Is she awake?
CURL (drying her tears).
She is already dressed-she asks for you.
KENNEDY.
I go:-
[To MELVIL, who seems to wish to accompany her.
But follow not until the queen
Has been prepared to see you.
[Exit.
CURL.
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 soon as our dear queen shall be no more.
Oh, the unworthy, the disgraceful traitor!
He is our lady's murderer-'tis said
It was his testimony which condemned him.
MELVIL.
'Tis true.
CURL.
Oh, curse upon him! Be his soul
Condemned forever! he has borne false witness.
MELVIL.
Think, madam, what you say.
CURL.
I will maintain it
With every sacred oath before the court,
I will repeat it in his very face;
The world shall hear of nothing else. I say
That she dies innocent!
MELVIL..
God grant it true!
[1] The document is now in the British Museum.
SCENE III.
