Rosa. Thou'rt always fearing and fearing.

Maude. And his wife, too, has the ear of a mouldewart, and she's as watchful as an old gander.

Rosa. But, then, think of the parson's snore; 'tis louder twice than the bellows of a smiddy forge.

Maude. But didst not see the lightning?

Rosa. No, I was so wearied with the rehearsing. I dreamed the live-long night I was the Queen o' the Fairies, and that the King was so handsome and so kind; and I was so vexed when I opened my eyes and saw your withered face. [Yawning.

Maude. Haste to the well; but, hear, take care not to gaze in it at thy pretty self; the very shadow of such a dirty smutched-face ouphe as thee would make it muddy. Swith !---take both pails.

Rosa. And your sweet face would look it clear again.---But what can keep them?

Maude. Run up first to the Claughton brow, and look for them: Go, and I'll be putting on the bailiff's new pot. [Exeunt different ways.

SCENE II.-The Castle Garden.

(Time-Morning.)

Enter FRANCISCO.

Fran. I thought the thunder roared, Woe to Francisco,

If he should do the deed !--

Can I relume those eyes, restore that form?
To look on her, creation's fairest work!
Were I an angel, I would quit my sphere,
And let the planets reel into confusion,
Till chaos again unfurled his flag of night,
And, with a thunder-rimmed volcano for his trump,
Proclaimed his reign restored.---

Destroy thee! No, I never formed

The horrible intent:

It must have been a dream, which, with mere terror,

At last has waked me.

Never could I be,

It is impossible, so thoroughly a villain,

As for a moment harbour in my mind

A purpose of such peerless wickedness.

[Looks round towards the Chapel, and starts

'Tis true, too true, here is a living witness.

[Pointing to his breast.

I must not pray; curses must be my prayers,
Curses upon myself, and him who planned
So devilish a conspiracy.---I'll find

The wretch, and curse him to his face.

[Exit.

SCENE III.---Changes to MARY'S Chamber.

MARY leaning on a Couch, ADELAIDE standing beside her.

Mary. I fear they've made the attempt, and been betrayed;

The night was now and then as light as noon;
The elements denounce hostility

'Gainst Mary Stewart. What an awful night!
How couldst thou sleep?

Adel. I tried to keep awake, and long kept up My leaden eyelids; the night was then quite still; I dropped asleep, thinking of Douglas.

Mary. Didst thou not hear the peals?

Adel. No.

Mary. But that I'm miserable, I should have swooned With terror: The flashes followed each so fast, That had they followed faster, the night had shone One unremitting blaze: These window bars

At times appeared as if of glowing iron;

And

up this chain there sometimes ran a gleam!

Then fear was gone; I hoped, I did half hope,
That it might reach my heart, to which I held
The links. But soon I clung to life again;
I thought upon my boy;

And while the other and the other flash

Dazzled my sight,

I wished to have hand across his eyes:

my

Then such a peal would burst, I scarce durst draw My breath, or move.---'Twas terrible; it bodes no good to us.

Adel. You are of late so given to omening--Mary. And when it ceased, and sleep o'erpowered my senses--

O Adelaide !

I fear, I fear to tell thee what I saw.

Adel. Tell me, and I will read it.

Mary. One made me swear an oath I'd not reveal. Adel. A dream! an oath sworn in a dream! 'tis

nothing.

Mary. I thought me walking in the Abbey garden; The moon shone bright: I wished her not so bright. Adel. What abbey ?

Mary. Holyrood.

Adel. Say on.

Mary. I thought I heard a burst of noise, as loud As were the thunder-peals of yesternight.

Adel. And--

Mary. I thought it came as if from Kirk O'Field; And, ere the echoes of St Antoin's rocks

Had ceased, amid a shower of ashes, fell

Close at my feet a blackened corse, with eyes unclosed;

And, Adelaide,---but let me grasp thine arm,---
They glared on Bothwell, who stood rooted by,
All horror-struck :---My crucifix I tried

To kiss; but ponderous it felt,

Down-weighing my weak arm.
I fancied next,
What I had heard and seen was but a dream,
And that I lay, new waked, beside a river,
And felt the sunbeams, heard the thrush's note,
And saw the wildflowers blooming o'er my face,---
When straight the flowers, the trees, the sward,
Seemed black and smouldering, and the sky blood-
tinged;

I turned me round, and feared I should again
Behold the horrid form, but saw instead

A sanded scaffold, and a sable block;

My eyes were dazzled with the gleaming axe ;---
At sight of which, sudden methought I rushed
To throw myself into the gliding stream;
But as I stooping paused upon the brink,
I saw, not my own image in the wave,---
I saw, O Adelaide, I saw the corse,