Death of the Queen - Act III, Scene II
A Play in four Acts
ACT III
SCENE II
The Tower of London. Robert Devereux stands beneath a narrow window, the light from it shines upon his solemn features, his shoulders bowed by woe. The heavy cell door clanks loudly and opens. Sir Francis Bacon enters.
F.B. How now, my Lord?
R.D. The Queen has stripped me of title, lands and income. Pray call me Robert, friend or brother. It is disheartening in this gaol to hear thee name me Lord. Embrace me for I am disconsolate, all my hopes dashed upon a lee shore. I pray that I am not friendless, too.
F.B. I am ever and always thy faithful and true friend, Robert.
They embrace. Robert brushes aside tears as they separate.
R.D. From Ireland, the Queen did demand my return in dishonor for listening to the wisdom in my heart aft'r making peace with the rebels when the council wish'd for havoc and war. She tooke all but my goode name: my lands, my income, my honour. Robert Cecil pour'd a poisonous unction in Her royal ear to twist my goode wil into unpardonable il.
In the heat of passion, I gather'd those about me loyal and true lovers of our great Majesty to strip from Her the liars and wagging tongues in the Council that I might finally 'suad her of the truth of my earnest love and valour. But Cecil with an armed company laid in wait, as if I were provok'd by his maleficium to rashly charge into an ambuscade and the pit from which no man returneth. E'en Walter Raleigh falsely testified against me, and I once thought him friend.
They charg'd that I march'd on London to slay my Queen and suborn the crown and that I favour'd religious dissent. I who stoutly fought catholic Spain and not that crook'd-back gargoyle, Robert Cecil, a life-long, secret papist and coward!
F.B. It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be.
R.D. Aye. Now am I condemned and led to the slaughter under the headman's axe. I whom spared my same executioner of crimes capital that he might execute those unfortunates like myself who remain unpardon'd. It makes me weary of this calamitous world and yet I cling to hope the Queen with clemency might repent and forgive my many faults. I desir'd only to shield her from Robert Cecil's insolent lies and wilful misdirection. I learn'd my true enemy over late.
Of treason innocent, I die 'cause I lov'd my Queen too weal!
Now my love and liking quite are overthrown and in their place are grief and sorrows grown. Woe to me the sun shroud'd in a cloud and darksom mists do overrun the day.
Stay a while and condole, Francis, to slay these demonic thoughts which rob me of peace and shake my mortal frame with terror. A little time with a friendly face may help me quiet my fears for an hour or two o' an unfriendly 'morrow. Stay with me I beg.
They sit upon a small cot cover'd by a threadbare blanket. Robert takes Francis' hand in his own.
R.D. Have thou spoken to thy cousin, the Queen?
F.B. I have tried to visit Her thrice, and thrice rebuffed. Deliver'd I a letter beggin' audience and clemency to the Queen's maide, but no answer did I receive.
R.D. Then assuredly I die on the 'morrow, my deare Francis, my brother, my friend.
He pulls an envelope from his coat. His hand trembling, he passes it to Sir Francis.
R.D. Pass these letters to my poor wife and long-suffering mother, I pray thee. Beg them come not to the Tower Green on the 'morrow. Twil make it hard to play the man, if I witness their anguish at my dishonorable ending.
The door clanks and opens.
F.B. I must away.
They embrace.
R.D. Remember of me at your praying!
They bow and Sir Francis exits. And the door clanks shut.
R.D. Remember me.
Robert Devereux returns to stand beneath the narrow window and stares up at the retreating light.
About the Creator
John Cox
Twisted teller of mind bending tales. I never met a myth I didn't love or a subject that I couldn't twist out of joint. I have a little something for almost everyone here. Cept AI. Aint got none of that.
Search for a Sister, Chapter Two
4-H-N heard not a word about her secret mission around Headquarters over the following days, so had to conclude either Mini-Flash Phytolith hadn’t been listening in after all, or she’d misjudged him. She hoped it was the latter, as she wanted the pair of them to get on, even if he wasn’t going out of his way to make it easy for her.
By Doc Sherwood16 days ago in Chapters
How Can You Have A Highly Sought Out Life for Yourself and Your Hobbies
When we think of our lives and what they have in them, what happens? Do we think that they are highly sought out for ourselves when we start living by doing the hobbies that we enjoy? Most of the time, yes. Our lives are highly sought out because we figure out what we want to do with it, and go after it. Once we get to where we want to be in life how do we look at it? What is it that we do? We look at it as the things we do in life are the things that make our lives what they are. It is all about how we work and put our downtime together at least that is how I like to look at it. Sure we might work ten ten to 12 hours a day but what about when we aren’t working on weekends, we don’t just do yard work and laundry we do other things to keep us busy too. These things are called hobbies, and we put them into our lives so that we live the best lives that we can. This is how highly sought out lives can be given to each and every one of us.
By Louise Barraco6 days ago in Chapters
Comments (13)
another excellent part! I feel for RD but also dont! well done, again, John!
Poor RD!
Oh it’s so hard not to feel sorry for RD when he was given to self pity. Its genius too that you’ve made me experience so many emotions in regards to his character, I imagined how handsome he was- then I got angry at how he seemed to have been getting everything handed to him. Now that he’s lost everything, I can’t help but to feel manipulated but yet still… sorry for him. But! I must stand my ground in anger and rage 😡 lol. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Excellent scene once again. R.D. has a miserable tomorrow coming.
Such insight into the times and so well written. Poor J.D.!
These are so transportive! It’s always a bit jarring when they end! Just little intermissions I suppose, but ready for the next scene!
Short but sweet. You have a couple of long speeches that as a past actor I worried about and loved at the same time. Worried because you might forget love because it gave you the spotlight. I like that you chose to write this in old English it works so well
John, you have a flair for this style of writing. I've gotten into reading this old English style of prose. It appears JD will be a bit lightheaded tomorrow.
Thank you!😊💗
I felt so sad for him 🥺🥺 Also, not me reading secret papist as serial rapists hahahahaha
Yeah. I'd be a bit bitter too.
Poor Devereux. Glad I am all caught up now. I had you in my sights for some reading before I leave for Wales so glad I achieved this. Can I ask? This line: "It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be" - are those Bacon's actual words? I know that you've used them before in your text so I was just curious.
I hope you’re enjoying this as much as I am. These are written so well