But you should chide me. Sweet, you have seen fair wars, Have seen men slain and ridden red in them;Why will you die a chamberer's death like this?
What, shall no praise be written of my knight, For my fame's sake?
CHASTELARD.
Nay, no great praise, I think;
I will no more; what should I do with death, Though I died goodly out of sight of you?
I have gone once: here am I set now, sweet, Till the end come. That is your husband, hark, He knocks at the outer door. Kiss me just once.
You know now all you have to say. Nay, love, Let him come quickly.
[Enter DARNLEY, and afterwards the MARIES.]
DARNLEY.
Yea, what thing is here?
Ay, this was what the doors shut fast upon-
Ay, trust you to be fast at prayer, my sweet?
By God I have a mind-
CHASTELARD.
What mind then, sir?
A liar's lewd mind, to coin sins for jest, Because you take me in such wise as this?
Look you, I have to die soon, and I swear, That am no liar but a free knight and lord, I shall die clear of any sin to you, Save that I came for no good will of mine;I am no carle, I play fair games with faith, And by mine honor for my sake I swear I say but truth; for no man's sake save mine, Lest I die shamed. Madam, I pray you say I am no liar; you know me what I am, A sinful man and shortly to be slain, That in a simple insolence of love Have stained with a fool's eyes your holy hours And with a fool's words put your pity out;Nathless you know if I be liar or no, Wherefore for God's sake give me grace to swear (Yea, for mine too) how past all praise you are And stainless of all shame; and how all men Lie, saying you are not most good and innocent, Yea, the one thing good as God.
DARNLEY.
O sir, we know You can swear well, being taken; you fair French Dare swallow God's name for a lewd love-sake As it were water. Nay, we know, we know;Save your sweet breath now lest you lack it soon:
We are simple, we; we have not heard of you.
Madam, by God you are well shamed in him:
Ay, trust you to be fingering in one's face, Play with one's neck-chain? ah, your maiden's man, A relic of your people's!
CHASTELARD.
Hold your peace, Or I will set an edge on your own lie Shall scar yourself. Madam, have out your guard;'T is time I were got hence.
QUEEN.
Sweet Hamilton, Hold you my hand and help me to sit down.
O Henry, I am beaten from my wits-
Let me have time and live; call out my people-Bring forth some armed guard to lay hold on him:
But see no man be slain.
Sirs, hide your swords;
I will not have men slain.
DARNLEY.
What, is this true?
Call the queen's people-help the queen there, you-Ho, sirs, come in.
[Enter some with the Guard.]
QUEEN.
Lay hold upon that man;
Bear him away, but see he have no hurt.
CHASTELARD.
Into your hands I render up myself With a free heart; deal with me how you list, But courteously, I pray you. Take my sword.
Farewell, great queen; the sweetness in your look Makes life look bitter on me. Farewell, sirs.
[He is taken out.]
DARNLEY.
Yea, pluck him forth, and have him hanged by dawn;He shall find bed enow to sleep. God's love!
That such a knave should be a knight like this!
QUEEN.
Sir, peace awhile; this shall be as I please;Take patience to you. Lords, I pray you see All be done goodly; look they wrong him not.
Carmichael, you shall sleep with me to-night;I am sorely shaken, even to the heart. Fair lords, I thank you for your care. Sweet, stay by me.
