First, the said Scottish Queen, being carried by two of Sir Amias
Paulett's gentlemen, and the Sheriff going before her, came most
willingly out of her chamber into an entry next the Hall, at which place
the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Earl of Kent, commissioners for the
execution, with the two governors of her person, and divers knights and
gentlemen did meet her, where they found one of the Scottish Queen's
servants, named Melvin, kneeling on his knees, who uttered these words
with tears to the Queen of Scots, his mistress, "Madam, it will be the
sorrowfullest message that ever I carried, when I shall report that my
Queen and dear mistress is dead." Then the Queen of Scots, shedding
tears, answered him, "You ought to rejoice rather than weep for that the
end of Mary Stuart's troubles is now come. Thou knowest, Melvin, that
all this world is but vanity, and full of troubles and sorrows; carry
this message from me, and tell my friends that I die a true woman to my
religion, and like a true Scottish woman and a true Frenchwoman. But God
forgive them that have long desired my end; and He that is the true
Judge of all secret thoughts knoweth my mind, how that it ever hath been
my desire to have Scotland and England united together. Commend me to my
son, and tell him that I have not done anything that may prejudice his
kingdom of Scotland; and so, good Melvin, farewell;" and kissing him,
she bade him pray for her.
_AN ENGLISH NOBLEMAN_
Then she turned to the Lords and told them that she had certain requests
to make unto them. One was for a sum of money, which she said Sir Amyas
Paulet knew of, to be paid to one Curle her servant; next, that all her
poor servants might enjoy that quietly which by her Will and Testament
she had given unto them; and lastly, that they might be all well
entreated, and sent home safely and honestly into their countries. "And
this I do conjure you, my Lords, to do."
Answer was made by Sir Amyas Paulet, "I do well remember the money your
Grace speaketh of, and your Grace need not to make any doubt of the not
performance of your requests, for I do surely think they shall be
granted."
"I have," said she, "one other request to make unto you, my Lords, that
you will suffer my poor servants to be present about me, at my death,
that they may report when they come into their countries how I died a
true woman to my religion."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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