Act 4 — Scene V.
Reading edition
The Throne Room at Court.
[The Queen enters, with train of ladies, lords, and counsellors, and takes the throne; Burghley, small and deformed, dressed in black, is on her right.]
The Queen:
The play was well enough. [Turning to Burghley.] My Lord Burghley, have you heard from our cousin James? Has he punished those raiders yet?
Lord Burghley:
He’ll give us every satisfaction, your Majesty, except what costs him money.
The Queen:
A mean spirit and a long tongue; he had the one from his father, the other from his mother. And Essex? How does he bear his disgrace?
Lord Burghley:
He chafes and talks loud; it’ll all end in talk. 156But he should not be strengthened, Madame; the time’s unsettled and for that reason I’d pray your Majesty to release Lord Herbert; he’s young and well liked of the common——
The Queen:
Keep to your own business.
Lord Burghley:
[Bows low.] Shall I write to the King of Scots imposing a penalty? He’s responsible for disorder.
The Queen:
I’m tired to-night.
Lord Burghley:
Your complexion’s brilliant; you look your best.
The Queen:
Ah! You think so. What’s this?
[Lord Lacy and Lady Joan come forward and bow low. Lord Lacy advances holding Lady Joan’s hand.]
The Queen:
[To Lacy.] What is it? Speak.
157Lacy:
Oh, Dazzling Luminary, Glorious Orb of Britain whose radiant beams diffuse in all our hearts the light of loyalty, the warmth of admiration: most gracious, wisest Mistress, permit your most obedient, loyal servitor to approach your throne with humblest imprecation.
The Queen:
If the prayer, my lord, be worthy of its dress, ’Twill need our realm to content you. But give it words, man, plain words.
Lacy:
Most Mighty Regent, you distress me! I approach your queenly presence robed in vestments of State out of reverence for Britain’s Majesty, and in the same spirit I would use orphrey’d phrases sewn with pearls of speech, and you ask me plain words.
The Queen:
Let’s have ’em jewelled if you will; but what’s your want?
Lacy:
The jewel of this realm, indeed: the prize of 158all this nether world, the diamaunt of distinction——
[Bows and waives to Lady Joan.
The Queen:
What! That Chit!
Lacy:
Oh, Arbitress of Fate! I supplicate your Sovereign Power! enrich me with a word; set joy-bells ringing with a gest of grace and fill my heart with heavenly gratitude.
The Queen:
[To the girl.] And you? Shall he wear you? It misdoubts me the gift’s already given!
Lady Joan:
[Curtseying to the ground.] Oh Fairest Vestal, Mirror of Beauty, Pink of Perfectness: I would requite my Lord with dutiful affection——
The Queen:
I was sure you would, and with a dozen brats as well.
Lady Joan:
’Tis only stars and our great Queen can live alone.
159The Queen:
[To Burghley.] I hate women’s praises; they’re always feigned and false! [To Lacy.] Do you hold the wedding in our Court, my lord?
Lacy:
Rectress of Action! On bended knees and with a lowly heart I implorate your Majesty, let us withdraw from the blinding light of this world’s Sun and hide our joys in sylvan shade where hours go softly by.
The Queen:
The wedding should be here; afterwards you can go to your estates; does that please you, girl?
Lady Joan:
My beseechings flow to my lord’s desire——
The Queen:
By God’s Body, they are both mad; have it as ye will; [To Lady Joan] but when you come again your beseechings, as you call them, may flow in another direction. [To Burghley.] Did ever Christian hear such phrases?
[Lacy and Lady Joan bow and retire.
160Lord Burghley:
The girl’s worse than the man!
The Queen:
Saw you any fashion, my lord, which my sex does not exaggerate? The woman has taken the infection from the man, but in the weaker body the fever rages most wildly——