en that is done.

MURRAY.
I pray you fear me not.
Farewell. I would such things were not to do,
Or not for me; yea, not for any man.

[Exit.]

QUEEN.
Alas, what honor have I to give thanks?
I would he had denied me: I had held my peace
Thenceforth forever; but he wrung out the word,
Caught it before my lip, was fain of it--
It was his fault to put it in my mind,
Yea, and to feign a loathing of his fault.
Now is he about devising my love's death,
And nothing loth. Nay, since he must needs die,
Would he were dead and come alive again
And I might keep him safe. He doth live now
And I may do what love I will to him;
But by to-morrow he will be stark dead,
Stark slain and dead; and for no sort of love
Will he so much as kiss me half a kiss.
Were this to do I would not do it again.

[Reenter MURRAY.]

What, have you taken order? is it done?
It were impossible to do so soon.
Nay, answer me.

MURRAY.
Madam, I will not do it.

QUEEN.
How did you say? I pray, sir, speak again:
I know not what you said.

MURRAY.
I say I will not;
I have thought thereof, and have made up my heart
To have no part in this: look you to it.

QUEEN.
O, for God's sake! you will not have me shamed?

MURRAY.
I will not dip my hand into your sin.

QUEEN.
It were a good deed to deliver me;
I am but a woman, of one blood with you,
A feeble woman; put me not to shame;
I pray you of your pity do me right.
Yea, and no fleck of blood shall cleave to you
For a just deed.

MURRAY.
I know not; I will none.

QUEEN.
O, you will never let him speak to them
To put me in such shame? why, I should die
Out of pure shame and mine own burning blood;
Yea, my face feels the shame lay hold on it,
I am half burnt already in my thought;
Take pity of me. Think how shame slays a man;
How shall I live then? would you have me dead?
I pray you for our dead dear father's sake,
Let not men mock at me. Nay, if he speak,
I shall be sung in mine own towns. Have pity.
What, will you let men stone me in the ways?

MURRAY.
Madam, I shall take pains the best I may
To save your honor, and what thing lieth in me
That will I do, but no close manslayings.
I will not have God's judgment gripe my throat
When I am dead, to hale me into hell
For a man's sake slain on this wise. Take heed.
See you to that.

[Exit.]

QUEEN.
One of you ma