“ Attends you.

“ Re-enter Seton. “ James. Well-well ? “ Seton. The papers are prepared; his grace

“ James. Bring him. With your leave, my lords, “ We'll have some private conference with the cardinal.

[Exeunt Lords, 8c., through the folding-doors. “ Enter ARCHBISHOP-Usher at the door. James. Is it prepared ? All signed, and duly sealed ? “You stand not on your scruples ? Give it me!

“ Archbishop. [Giving a parchment.] 'Tis here, my liego.

“ James. And nothing left to do, “ But write the name of the recipient ? “ Here is the blank-I will insert the name. “I thank you for this act.

Archbishop. I know not, Sire, “ If in this cause I strain not the full powers “Held from the holy father. Oh, bethink you, “ Ere 'tis too late, how great a thing you ask !

“ James. 'Tis a stout arm-a gallant heart I ask, 6. That

you have nearly robbed poor Scotland of. Why, you can find a score in every parish, “ With hands as qualified to handle tithes, “And lips as eloquent in Homilies, “But scarce so quick an eye, so true a sword, “ In all the land! I can't afford him, Sir; “And so I thank you, good Lord Cardinal“You give me back a soldier.

Archbishop. (R. c.] And strip off “ The holy panoply that guarded him “From sin. Oh, Sir!—it is not yet too late : “ Bethink you--you lay bare to the assaults “ Of Satan, the poor heart that lay secure “Behind the blessing of the church. Your hand “ Launches again the bark—that lay in safety • In a calm haven-out into the sea, “Where storms are raging, and the waves are high“ The bark may founder! Give me back the deed! “ James. Not for my crown! What ho! Bring to our

presence

“ The man I told you of.

(Exit Usher, c. “ Arch. So true a love “ As James shows ever to the holy See “ Moves me to do bis bidding in this thing; “Your Majesty will see in it a proof “Of how your zeal is valued.

“ James. (Who has been reading the deed.] All correct ! Naught but the name to add.

Enter MALCOLM YOUNG.
• Come hither, Sir.
“ We have heard such good report of your deservings,
• That we think fit, as a discerning king-
" Whose

eyes
should ever watch

upon

the worth “Of his true subjects, to bestow reward “On the well-doer-to advance your rank. “How stand you in the Church ?

“ Mal. My gracious liege, “ Pardon me. To have earned my sovereign's praise•“ If such I've done, I know not by what means • Is all I hope.

“James. Do you refuse our favour ?

" Mal. My liege, I have no higher wish on earth “ Than to attain

your

favour. “ James. What rich stalls— “What prebends are now vacant? You're too young “To be a bishop ; yet there may be times " When youth is no impediment. How say you ?

“ Mal. I wish no station in the church, my liege ; “Rather I wish to lay aside the place “I hold e'en now, and in some silent cell “ To hide me from the world. I pray your grace, “Hold me excused. I have no wish for power, “Or wealth, or honour.

“ James. You're a foolish youth“Some day-dream blinds you. Kneel to the Archbishop !

“ Mal. To ask his grace’s blessing ere I go“ James. Nay-to receive promotion. Kneel, I say! “ Mal. (Kneeling to the king.] I pray your Majesty

“ James. 'Tis not to us“Kneel to his grace the Archbishop. Kneel not here« Kneel there!

“ Mal. (Rising.) I cannot kneel in such a cause.

“ James. No? We must ask you in a suppliant's voice. “ Look on us.

“ (Malcolm recognises the king, who takes of his cap. Why, good fellow, did you think “ We had no gratitude for ready help? Kneel, Sir ?

" Mal. For pardon to your Majesty. “I knew not, I suspected not, my liege

Oh, if you would not see me die before you, “ Wring not a heart that's so deep weighed in grief, “It has no other sense !

“ James. Then won't you trust me ? “I would not add an atom to your grief.

Try me! Why, Malcolm, you've no memory: "Have you forgotten how we swore our friendship? “ And how fair Madeleine

“ Mal. Oh! name her not ! “ I cannot hear her name. " James. But

you

shall hear it! “I'll name no other name, unless you kneel ! “ I'll call out Madeleine—and naught but Madeleine“ If you won't kneel! Come, get upon your knee, “ While I essay my rusty penmanship “In writing Malcolm-MACOM!-[Writes.] “Young-Malcolm Young. Kneel to the Cardinal.

“ Mal. I'm so amazed—bewildered! Good my liege, “ You bruise a spirit that, oppressed already

"James. (To the Archbishop.] Give him the deed !

[Forces Malcolm to kneel.] Kneel, sirrah ! on your knee! “(Holds him down.] There! there! "[The Archbishop gives him the deed ; James raises and

"embraces him. “ Come to my heart; you are a man! '[As he leads him towards the folding doors. “Now, then, we face the enemy together. “In weal or woe you'll never leave my side, “Nor chill, nor falter in your truthfulness “ To your true fellow-soldier, and kind king.

Nay, answer not-I know your very heart ! (To Ushcr.] Admit Sir Adam Weir, and wait our coming.

“[Exit with Malcolm, through folding doors,

66

“ Usher goes to the side door. Enter LAIRD SMALL, SIR “ADAM WEIR, Mungo, Widow Barton, MADELEINE.

Sir Adam stands apart from the others ; courtiers in groups ; lords passing to and fro; TTsher at folding “ doors.* Laird. Gadso! Come, Widow Barton, leave my son To throw sweet looks at mistress Madeleine, Well! what a thing it is to have a boy Like Mungo. He's a boy!

Widow. I never thought
To be so honored-me at Holyrood!
In such apparel! Mr. Mungo, Sir,
Seems in high favor.

Laird. Favor! gadso-yes !
He's like- -who's the fat fellow with one eye,
The Cardinal, in England,—he has a son,
A butcher-Wolsey ; he's like Cardinal Wolsey.

Widow. A wondrous gentleman.

Laird. (To Usher.) Pray you, good sir,
When will the doors be opened ?

Usher. When the king
Comes forth to give you welcome. Are you

all Arrived? Where is Sir Adam Weir ?

Sir A. (L. c.) I'm here.
Widow. What a white face my uncle has !

Laird. Poor man,
He has no son in favor with the king !

“ Widow. But soon will have a grandson.

“ Laird. So he will, “Gadso! a grandson-that is Mungo Small,

My son, his grandson-gadso! what relations " Are we then? Tis a question."

Mun. [To Made.] How I wish
This were well over! Don't you wish it were ?

Made. What is it? It concerns not me.

Mun. Oh, don't it?
That's all you know. Didn't the messenger

say a word

Tell father, that the king-God save the king !
Out of affection to a friend of his
He did not name him,- I won't name him, either-
Was fixed to be your bridesman at the wedding ?
Laird. [Overhearing.] Gadso! That's to reward you

for your skill,
Unhorsing Maxwell at the tournament.

Nun. Hush, father!

Laird. Or, perhaps, for breaking in
His Spanish horse ?

Mun. I never broke it in.
Father, don't speak to James. Pray, widow Barton,
Would you take Madeleine's arm.

I'd
Into

my
father's ear.

[Goes up with Laird. Widow. [Going up to Madeleine. Why don't you go T’your grandsire, girl ?

Made. I will remain alone.

Widow. It is not seemly on a wedding day To look so solemn.

Made. This is not a day
Of wedding or rejoicing.

Widow. Oh! it is;
The king has made a law, that you're to marry
Young Mr. Small.

Made. I have not long to live;
I pray you leave me to my solemn thoughts-
You cannot share them.
Usher. Hush ! the king !--the king !

[They retire. The folding doors are thrown open. James advances in

state, and takes his seat on the throne. All the Lords,
Bishops, Ushers, fc. follow
James. [To Seton.] Are the guards doubled in the

outer ward ?
Seton. Yes, trebled.
James. That is well—the headsman's ready?
Seton. He is.
James. What lacks it to the vesper chime ?
Seton. A minute or two.

James. How bold their lordships look !
I think I'll humble some of them ere long,
I'll teach them to take Dacre's bribes !