All [following]. Hey, Death! Ho, Death! Out you go, Death! We’ll never drink with thee!
The door swings to and quiet settles on the lightening room. The first ray of sunlight touches the bed. Outside the birds are beginning to sing.
THE CURTAIN FALLS.
ACT IV.
A room in the palace, hung with tapestries. On the right wall is a heavy, studded door: on the left, a great raised seat on a low platform. On the back wall is a small curtained door and a large window. A girl in a primrose-coloured gown stands at it holding back its curtain. Set slantwise in front of it, nearer the centre of the stage, is a writing table with scattered papers. At it sits Elizabeth, a secretary beside her. The Queen’s dress is of dull grey brocade with transparent lawn and jewels of aquamarine; but as the evening deepens its colour becomes one with the dusk and only her white face and hands are clearly seen.
A Hawker [chanting in the street far away]. Cress! Buy cress! Who’ll buy my cress-es?
Elizabeth lays down her pen.