English Spy (aside as they go off). Cut off the Head! Still the power remains to crush thy Despotism—the stone to strike the Image, and crumble it to dust! (Exeunt).
Scene IV.—A ROOM IN THE PALACE.
Enter the Queen and the Earl of Leicester.
Leicester (laughing). Ha-Ha-Ha! I cannot see it. Excommunicated! How is it possible? Even the Pope cannot put one out of his house who never was in it. Ha! Ha! Ha! It’s a joke. Excommunicated indeed! Because a fellow like a thief in the night nails a paper on the Bishop of London’s door, your Majesty is to be deprived of your throne and life. All the world knows the Statue of Premunire.—(with emphasis and deliberation) No Bull can be published here without the licence of the Crown. This is poor thunder from the Vatican. Not thus did Leo roar, and yet a German Monk laughed him to scorn, burned his Bull in the open Market-place, and challenged him to prove his title before the Christian world. Ha! Ha! Ha! (He walks about laughing—then comes up to the Queen sarcastically) Pius the Fifth is no Hildebrand, his wretched missive thus stolen into the kingdom is no more than waste paper. The thunder of the Seven Hills has lost the bolt. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Queen. By the Rood, Robin, I agree with you; It is an insolent joke (She laughs to herself grimly). The world begins to see it too. France contemptuously suppressed his Bull, Philip forbade him to issue it and refuses to permit its publication in his dominions, (with proud defiance) I have answered his insolence in my own way, by hanging up his messenger at the very door where he committed the offence. Ha! Ha! Ha!—He’ll carry no more messages.
Leicester. Well! Is there one Catholic Nobleman in England who did not acquiesce in the execution of Felton? Parliament too gave a quick and substantial reply, by passing an immediate act, without a dissentient voice. “That to affirm by word or writing that the Queen is not Queen, or not entitled to the Crown, or that any other person ought to be Queen, even without an overt act, shall be High Treason.”
Queen. And the Nation indignant, shouted its assent. I plant my throne, Leicester in the hearts of my people! They are the true foundation of all Political right.—They are my Guards! My bulwark! my support!—I did not wait for an Act of Parliament to hang Felton.
Leicester (rubbing his hands and laughing). No! No! Your father’s daughter for that! It was a masterly counter-thrust for him. I should like to see the Pope’s face when he considers your position. (He walks musing, then confronts the Queen) Here you stand an excommunicated Princess; entirely unscathed by his thunder. Your throne is as firm as the primeval rock. You hold prisoner Mary, that was Queen of Scotland, the Dowager Queen of France, the Representative of Papal claims upon the throne. Yet not one member of the Catholic Nobility is ready to do the behests of the Pope in regard to your life or title.
Queen. And the people! the Great English people! the fearless! the free! Are they not more enthusiastic than ever? When do I show myself among them that they do not crowd around me with the idolatry of devotion, proud to kiss the hem of my robe, or touch the horse that bears me. Woe to the assassin who should lift a finger! He would be torn limb from limb. Yes! Yes! Leicester, I am safe among my People (she walks about confidently then stands and passionately continues) They know I love them, and will never betray their liberties or their honour (walking aside with emotion).
Leicester. You are the only Sovereign in the world that can freely move abroad without other guards than the people.