MARY BEATON. Nay, not he; We had good hope to bring him well aboard, Let him slip safe down by the firths to sea, Out under Leith by night-setting, and thence Take ship for France and serve there out of sight In the new wars. QUEEN. Ay, in the new French wars-- You wist thereof too, madam, with good leave-- A goodly bait to catch mine honor with And let me wake up with my name bit through. I had been much bounden to you twain, methinks, But for my knight's sake and his love's; by God, He shall not die in God's despite nor mine. Call in our chief lords; bid one see to it: Ay, and make haste. [Exeunt MARY BEATON and MARY CARMICHAEL.] Now shall I try their teeth: I have done with fear; now nothing but pure love And power and pity shall have part in me; I will not throw them such a spirit in flesh To make their prey on. Though he be mad indeed, It is the goodliest madness ever smote Upon man's heart. A kingly knight-in faith, Meseems my face can yet make faith in men And break their brains with beauty: for a word, An eyelid's twitch, an eye's turn, tie them fast And make their souls cleave to me. God be thanked, This air has not yet curdled all the blood That went to make me fair. An hour agone, I thought I had been forgotten of men's love More than dead women's faces are forgot Of after lovers. All men are not of earth: For all the frost of fools and this cold land There be some yet catch fever of my face And burning for mine eyes' sake. I did think My time was gone when men would dance to death As to a music, and lie laughing down In the grave and take their funerals for their feasts, To get one kiss of me. I have some strength yet, Though I lack power on men that lack men's blood. Yea, and God wot I will be merciful; For all the foolish hardness round my heart That tender women miss of to their praise, They shall not say but I had grace to give Even for love's sake. Why, let them take their way: What ails it them though I be soft or hard? Soft hearts would weep and weep and let men die For very mercy and sweet-heartedness; I that weep little for my pity's sake, I have the grace to save men. Let fame go-- I care not much what shall become of fame, So I save love and do mine own soul right; I'll have my mercy help me to revenge On all the crew of them. How will he look, Having my pardon! I shall have sweet thanks And love of good men for my mercy's love-- Yea, and be quit of these I hate to death, With one good deed. [Enter the MARIES.] MARY BEATON. Madam, the lords are here. QUEEN. Stand you about me, I will speak to them. I would the whole world stood up in my face And heard what I shall say. Bid them come in. [Enter MURRAY, RANDOLPH, MORTON, LINDSAY, and other LORDS.]