QUEEN. Alas, what honor have I to give thanks? I would he had denied me: I had held my peace Thenceforth forever; but he wrung out the word, Caught it before my lip, was fain of it-- It was his fault to put it in my mind, Yea, and to feign a loathing of his fault. Now is he about devising my love's death, And nothing loth. Nay, since he must needs die, Would he were dead and come alive again And I might keep him safe. He doth live now And I may do what love I will to him; But by to-morrow he will be stark dead, Stark slain and dead; and for no sort of love Will he so much as kiss me half a kiss. Were this to do I would not do it again. [Reenter MURRAY.] What, have you taken order? is it done? It were impossible to do so soon. Nay, answer me. MURRAY. Madam, I will not do it. QUEEN. How did you say? I pray, sir, speak again: I know not what you said. MURRAY. I say I will not; I have thought thereof, and have made up my heart To have no part in this: look you to it. QUEEN. O, for God's sake! you will not have me shamed? MURRAY. I will not dip my hand into your sin. QUEEN. It were a good deed to deliver me; I am but a woman, of one blood with you, A feeble woman; put me not to shame; I pray you of your pity do me right. Yea, and no fleck of blood shall cleave to you For a just deed. MURRAY. I know not; I will none. QUEEN. O, you will never let him speak to them To put me in such shame? why, I should die Out of pure shame and mine own burning blood; Yea, my face feels the shame lay hold on it, I am half burnt already in my thought; Take pity of me. Think how shame slays a man; How shall I live then? would you have me dead? I pray you for our dead dear father's sake, Let not men mock at me. Nay, if he speak, I shall be sung in mine own towns. Have pity. What, will you let men stone me in the ways? MURRAY. Madam, I shall take pains the best I may To save your honor, and what thing lieth in me That will I do, but no close manslayings. I will not have God's judgment gripe my throat When I am dead, to hale me into hell For a man's sake slain on this wise. Take heed. See you to that. [Exit.] QUEEN. One of you maidens there Bid my lord hither. Now by Mary's soul, He shall not die and bring me into shame. There's treason in you like a fever, hot, My holy-natured brother, cheek and eye; You look red through with it: sick, honor-sick, Specked with the blain of treason, leper-like-- A scrupulous fair traitor with clean lips-- If one should sue to hell to do him good He were as brotherly holpen as I am. This man must live and say no harm of me; I may reprieve and cast him forth; yea, so-- This were the best; or if he die midway-- Yea, anything, so that he die not here. [To the MARIES within.]