Mary Stuart. Фридрих Шиллер

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ACT I.

       Table of Contents

SCENE I.

       Table of Contents

      A common apartment in the Castle of Fotheringay.

       HANNAH KENNEDY, contending violently with PAULET, who is about

       to break open a closet; DRURY with an iron crown.

       KENNEDY.

       How now, sir? what fresh outrage have we here?

       Back from that cabinet!

       PAULET.

       Whence came the jewel?

       I know 'twas from an upper chamber thrown;

       And you would bribe the gardener with your trinkets.

       A curse on woman's wiles! In spite of all

       My strict precaution and my active search,

       Still treasures here, still costly gems concealed!

       And doubtless there are more where this lay hid.

       [Advancing towards the cabinet.

       KENNEDY.

       Intruder, back! here lie my lady's secrets.

       PAULET.

       Exactly what I seek.

       [Drawing forth papers.

       KENNEDY.

       Mere trifling papers;

       The amusements only of an idle pen,

       To cheat the dreary tedium of a dungeon.

       PAULET.

       In idle hours the evil mind is busy.

       KENNEDY.

       Those writings are in French.

       PAULET.

       So much the worse!

       That tongue betokens England's enemy.

       KENNEDY.

       Sketches of letters to the Queen of England.

       PAULET.

       I'll be their bearer. Ha! what glitters here?

       [He touches a secret spring, and draws out jewels from

       a private drawer.

       A royal diadem enriched with stones,

       And studded with the fleur-de-lis of France.

       [He hands it to his assistant.

       Here, take it, Drury; lay it with the rest.

       [Exit DRURY.

       [And ye have found the means to hide from us

       Such costly things, and screen them, until now,

       From our inquiring eyes?]

       KENNEDY.

       Oh, insolent

       And tyrant power, to which we must submit.

       PAULET.

       She can work ill as long as she hath treasures;

       For all things turn to weapons in her hands.

       KENNEDY (supplicating).

       Oh, sir! be merciful; deprive us not

       Of the last jewel that adorns our life!

       'Tis my poor lady's only joy to view

       This symbol of her former majesty;

       Your hands long since have robbed us of the rest.

       PAULET.

       'Tis in safe custody; in proper time

       'Twill be restored to you with scrupulous care.

       KENNEDY.

       Who that beholds these naked walls could say

       That majesty dwelt here? Where is the throne?

       Where the imperial canopy of state?

       Must she not set her tender foot, still used

       To softest treading, on the rugged ground?

       With common pewter, which the lowliest СКАЧАТЬ