The sentiment in this epigram must have been gathered from expressions made by Mary herself: for, at a time when she was at Dumferline and desired and hoped for an interview with Elizabeth, she received, through the hands of Randolph, a letter from the English Queen, “which first she did read and after put into her bosom next unto her _schyve_.” Mary entered into a long private conversation with Randolph on the subject of their proposed interview; and asked him, in confidence, to tell her frankly whether it were ever likely to take effect. “Above any thing,” said she, “I desire to see my good sister; and next, that we may live like good sisters together, as your mistress hath written unto me that we shall. I have here,” continued she, “a ring with a diamond fashioned like a heart: I know nothing that can resemble my good will unto my good sister better than that. My meaning shall be expressed by writing in a few verses, which you shall see before you depart; and whatsomever lacketh therein, let it be reported by your writing. I will witness the same with my own hand, and call God to record that I speak as I think with my heart, that I do as much rejoice of that continuance of friendship that I trust shall be between the queen my sister and me and the people of both realms, as ever I did in any thing in my life.” “With these words,” continues Randolph, “she taketh out of her bosom the Queen’s Majesty’s letter; and after that she had read a line or two thereof, putteth it again in the same place, and saith, ‘If I could put it nearer my heart I would.’”[280] Mary’s sad going to England, makes us remember Wordsworth’s sonnet: “----; but Time, the old Saturnian seer, Sighed on the wing as her foot pressed the strand, With step prelusive to a long array Of woes and degradations, hand in hand, Weeping Captivity and shuddering Fear, Stilled by the ensanguined block of Fotheringay!” [Illustration: Original size.]