Queen (interrupting him), Nay! Nay! Ne’er deny it, Leicester. I watch the games of all, and play my own! (with a grim smile).
Leicester (earnestly, as to repel the insinuation). My Liege, my thoughts are capable of proof. The vision long hath left my brain, and found material body. Art hath moulded it in jewelled gold, and given it tongue prophetic! Futurity will unfold the truth; but it would be presented to you on the throne. May it please your Majesty to be seated.
Queen. What mean you, man? Robin! No mummery now, my mood is serious! (Leicester bows solemnly), Well! Well! I will indulge you. (She gives him her hand and he leads her to the throne).
Leicester. My Liege! It is behind the arras, permit me to introduce it.
Queen (impatiently). Do as thou listest and be quick. (He goes for the intended present). There’s something in it, else he’s acting well. What can it be?
He returns with a splendidly gilt and ornamented box, lays it down, and opening it, withdraws a group of statuary of jewelled gold. Approaching the throne, he kneels on one knee, and presents it to the Queen, who all the time watches the proceeding with intense interest, then takes the present with great surprise and curiosity.
Leicester. Behold, my Liege! The symboled future! May the God of England verify it soon.
He buries his face in his hands and continues kneeling. The Queen eyeing it for a moment, on all sides, in deep abstraction, rushes from the throne, and placing it on a highly ornamented table under the light, examines it curiously, not without awe, as if something supernatural. Leicester, still kneeling, watches her askance.
Queen (slowly). Magnificent! sublime! Art indeed, which can embody thought in gold, and almost shape the lips to speech. Prophetic Vision! Symboled future, humph! The future still to me is mystic, dark, and awful. (She looks around for Leicester, who is still kneeling before the throne and watching the Queen with great anxiety askance). No more of that play-acting; up man, and expound thy riddle. (Leicester comes forward, and taking up the group in one hand, whilst he points with the other to the figures, thus explains their meaning, the Queen, anxiously awaiting the result).
Leicester. The central figure, seated on a throne, with features so beautiful, the express image of Majesty itself, is the Queen of England! the likeness unmistakeable. At her feet kneeling, is the so-called Queen of Scots. Around the stormy ocean your bulwark, strength, and power. On either side, figures of France and Spain overwhelmed in the waves, whilst Neptune, rising in front, presents to you the globe, and does homage to the true Sovereign of the seas.