ACT II. SCENE I.-Glasgow-Archbishop's Castle. (Time-Evening.) MURRAY and GLENCAIRN. Glen. The Queen's force doubles ours; And, for the town, I've seen a sheep-fold with as stout a wall. In Stirling we might wait the expected succours. I vote retreat. Mur. You think not what a palsying power there is In that poor word retreat. Let us present A show of confidence; let us at least Glen. He might have gone and come twice ere this time. I think 'twas hardly noon when he departed. Mur. Unless unlooked mischance has happened him, He will be here anon. Glen. It were no wonder if Mary's counsellors Should violate their own safe conduct. Mur. Aye, think you so?---No, no, it cannot be. Though wicked, they are wise, and must forecast The possibility of a reverse. And yet I wish I saw my son again. Enter STEWArt. What staid thee, boy? I would not bear (Think not, forsooth, it was on thy account) For Scotland's crown itself. Stew. I have had much to see, and hear, and say. Mur. Now thou hast but to say; without more pre face, Give us a full relation of thy mission. Stew. When I arrived at Hamilton, the Queen Mur. What mean you by the Queen ? Stew. Well, Mary Stewart, if so be your will, Was at the palace gate. Mur. I ask not where she was; I want to know What friends were with her. Stew. She had some noble ladies in her suite, Besides some gallant gentlemen: She seemedMur. I ask not what she seemed; tell me at once Who seemed to be most in her confidence. Stew. Lord Hamilton he held her horse's rein; And Douglas led her down the palace stair. Stew. The barons, with their vassals, were arrayed Mur. The Queen! Stew. Lord Hamilton, to whom I told my errand, Permitted me to follow in the train, And promised me an answer should be given Mur. Glencairn, thou'rt always thinking of their numbers: I'd rather ask how armed, how disciplined; Stew. As for their discipline, it seemed but rude; For well she knows, and practises each art In her right hand, ungloved, a sword she bore, Mur. How were these lies received? Stew. By all with mute attention; you might have heard The gentle kissing of the joining streams. Even those beyond the hearing of her words Mur. She is a hypocrite. Stew. She said, For Scotland I would shed my blood, As Wallace did, upon an English scaffold, As did my grandsire upon Flodden field, As did your ancestors at Bannockburn. At this, as if one impulse ruled the whole, Mur. I see thou'rt tainted; I will not believe But say, what homage next was paid This patriot Queen? It could be nothing less I saw her now and then amid the throng: Mur. Spare thy similitudes, and give us facts, Stew. Some twelve or thirteen thousand. Mur. 'Tis false, they are not five.— [Pausing. The Lennox-men will sure be here ere morning. think, my you What do Mur. But what said Mary Stewart to our terms? Stew. She called me gentle cousin; and, when I kneeled, She took me by the hand, and bid me rise: |