your love's noble sake,
I am your servant in what wise may be,
To love and serve you with right thankful heart.

MARY BEATON.
I have given men leave to mock me, and must bear
What shame they please: you have good cause to mock.
Let me pass now.

CHASTELARD.
You know I mock you not.
If ever I leave off to honor you,
God give me shame! I were the worst churl born.

MARY BEATON.
No marvel though the queen should love you too,
Being such a knight. I pray you for her love,
Lord Chastelard, of your great courtesy,
Think now no scorn to give me my last kiss
That I shall have of man before I die.
Even the same lips you kissed and knew not of
Will you kiss now, knowing the shame of them,
And say no one word to me afterwards,
That I may see I have loved the best lover
And man most courteous of all men alive?

MARY SEYTON.

[Within.]

Here, fetch the light: nay, this way; enter all.

MARY BEATON.
I am twice undone. Fly, get some hiding, sir;
They have spied upon me somehow.

CHASTELARD.
Nay, fear not;
Stand by my side.

[Enter MARY SEYTON and MARY HAMILTON.]

MARY HAMILTON.
Give me that light: this way.

CHASTELARD.
What jest is here, fair ladies? it walks late,
Something too late for laughing.

MARY SEYTON.
Nay, fair sir,
What jest is this of yours? Look to your lady:
She is nigh swooned. The queen shall know all this.

MARY HAMILTON.
A grievous shame it is we are fallen upon;
Hold forth the light. Is this your care of us?
Nay, come, look up: this is no game, God wot.

CHASTELARD.
Shame shall befall them that speak shamefully:
I swear this lady is as pure and good
As any maiden, and who believes me not
Shall keep the shame for his part and the lie.
To them that come in honor and not in hate
I will make answer. Lady, have good heart.
Give me the light there: I will see you forth.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

DARNLEY.

SCENE I.--The great Chamber in Holyrood.

The QUEEN and MARY SEYTON.

QUEEN.
But will you swear it?

MARY SEYTON.
Swear it, madam?

QUEEN.
Ay--
Swear it.

MARY SEYTON.
Madam, I am not friends with them.

QUEEN.
Swear then against them if you are not friends.

MARY SEYTON.
Indeed I saw them kiss.

QUEEN.
So lovers use--
What, their mouths close? a goodly way of love!
Or but the hands? or on her throat? Prithee--
You have sworn