Scotland also, sentence was pronounced over his dead body. It was burnt and the ashes were scattered to the winds. When Montchrestien wrote _l'Escossoise_, six years before the birth of Corneille, tragedy made no attempt to depict the conflict of antagonistic passions, but contented itself with the exposition of a pathetic situation, considered from various points of view. When this had been set forth with sufficient detail, the _dénouement_, instead of being enacted before the spectators, was indicated in a concluding narrative. All Montchrestien's tragedies are drawn up on this plan; and he is so faithful to the old classic form that he retains even the chorus. It is worthy of notice, however, that what has been called "dialogue cornélien", that quick alternation of antithetical couplets and even single lines, suggestive of the sharp clashing of swords in the hands of two well-matched opponents, is one of the characteristics of his manner, and is handled by him with considerable skill and vigour. In the Stuart tragedy the "entreparleurs" are the Queen of Scots, the Queen of England, an anonymous Councillor, Davison, a Master of the Household, a Messenger, a Page, and two Choruses, one composed of Mary's female attendants, and another consisting of the "Estates" of England. The first act is opened by Elizabeth, who, in a long speech which she addresses to her Councillor, bewails her hard fate and her precarious tenure of both crown and life. She is particularly hurt at the ingratitude of the Queen of Scots, whom she has deprived of her liberty, it is true, but otherwise treated right royally. And apostrophizing the rival whose fair face hides so much disloyalty, envy, and spite, so much fury and so much daring, she asks her whether her heart is not touched at the thought of the countless ills to which England must become a prey if it should lose its lawful Sovereign. "Une Reine exilée, errante, fugitive, Se degageant des siens qui la tenoient captive, Vint surgir à nos bords contre sa volonté: Car son cours malheureux tendoit d'autre costé. Je l'ay bien voirement dés ce temps arrestée, Mais, hors la liberté Royalement traitée; Et voulant mille fois sa chaine relascher, Je ne sçay quel destin est venu m'empescher. * * * * * O coeur trop inhumain pour si douce beauté, Puis que tu peux couver tant de desloyauté, D'envie et de despit, de fureur et d'audace, Pourquoy tant de douceur fais-tu lire en ta face? Tes yeux qui tous les coeurs prennent à leurs appas, Sans en estre troublez, verront-ils mon trespas? Ces beaux Astres luisans au ciel de ton visage, De ma funeste mort seront-ils le présage?