Mary Stuart. Friedrich von Schiller

Who, when a poisonous adder is delivered

         Into their hands, would keep the treacherous charge

         As if it were a sacred, precious jewel?

PAULET

         A precious jewel is the queen's good name

         And spotless reputation: good my lord,

         One cannot guard it with sufficient care.

BURLEIGH

         When out of Shrewsbury's hands the Queen of Scots

         Was trusted to Sir Amias Paulet's care,

         The meaning was —

PAULET

                   I hope to God, my lord,

         The meaning was to give the weightiest charge

         Into the purest hands; my lord, my lord!

         By heaven I had disdained this bailiff's office

         Had I not thought the service claimed the care

         Of the best man that England's realm can boast.

         Let me not think I am indebted for it

         To anything but my unblemished name.

BURLEIGH

         Spread the report she wastes; grows sicker still

         And sicker; and expires at last in peace;

         Thus will she perish in the world's remembrance,

         And your good name is pure.

PAULET

                        But not my conscience.

BURLEIGH

         Though you refuse us, sir, your own assistance,

         You will not sure prevent another's hand.

PAULET

         No murderer's foot shall e'er approach her threshold

         Whilst she's protected by my household gods.

         Her life's a sacred trust; to me the head

         Of Queen Elizabeth is not more sacred.

         Ye are the judges; judge, and break the staff;

         And when 'tis time then let the carpenter

         With axe and saw appear to build the scaffold.

         My castle's portals shall be open to him,

         The sheriff and the executioners:

         Till then she is intrusted to my care;

         And be assured I will fulfil my trust,

         She shall nor do nor suffer what's unjust.

[Exeunt

      ACT II

      SCENE I

      London, a Hall in the Palace of Westminster. The EARL OF KENT and SIR WILLIAM DAVISON meeting.

DAVISON

         Is that my Lord of Kent? So soon returned?

         Is then the tourney, the carousal over?

KENT

         How now? Were you not present at the tilt?

DAVISON

         My office kept me here.

KENT

                      Believe me, sir,

         You've lost the fairest show which ever state

         Devised, or graceful dignity performed:

         For beauty's virgin fortress was presented

         As by desire invested; the Earl-Marshal,

         The Lord-High Admiral, and ten other knights