SCENE V.--_Castle of_ SIR CUTHBERT ANDERSON.

_Enter_ QUEEN DOROTHEA _in man's apparel,_ LADY ANDERSON, _and_ NANO.

_Q. Dor._ What news in court, Nano? let us know it.

_Nano._ If so you please, my lord, I straight will show it: The English king hath all the borders spoil'd, Hath taken Morton prisoner, and hath slain Seven thousand Scottish lads not far from Tweed.

_Q. Dor._ A woful murder and a bloody deed!

_Nano._ The king, our liege, hath sought by many means For to appease his enemy by prayers: Naught will prevail unless he can restore Fair Dorothea, long supposèd dead: To this intent he hath proclaimèd late, That whosoe'er return the queen to court Shall have a thousand marks for his reward.

_Lady And._ He loves her, then, I see, although enforc'd, That would bestow such gifts for to regain her. Why sit you sad, good sir? be not dismay'd.

_Nano._ I'll lay my life, this man would be a maid.

_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_]. Fain would I show myself, and change my tire.

_Lady And._ Whereon divine you, sir?

_Nano._ Upon desire. Madam, mark but my skill. I'll lay my life, My master here, will prove a married wife.

_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_]. Wilt thou bewray me, Nano?

_Nano._ [_aside to Dor._]. Madam, no: You are a man, and like a man you go: But I, that am in speculation seen,[293] Know you would change your state to be a queen.

_Q. Dor._ [_aside to Nano_]. Thou art not, dwarf, to learn thy mistress' mind: Fain would I with thyself disclose my kind, But yet I blush.

_Nano._ [_aside to Dor._]. What? blush you, madam, than,[294] To be yourself, who are a feignèd man?[295]

_Lady And._ Deceitful beauty, hast thou scorn'd me so?

_Nano._ Nay, muse not, madam, for he tells you true.

_Lady And._ Beauty bred love, and love hath bred my shame.

_Nano._ And women's faces work more wrongs than these: Take comfort, madam, to cure your disease. And yet he loves a man as well as you, Only this difference, he cannot fancy two.

_Lady And._ Blush, grieve, and die in thine insatiate lust.

_Q. Dor._ Nay, live, and joy that thou hast won a friend, That loves thee as his life by good desert.

_Lady And._ I joy, my lord, more than my tongue can tell: Though not as I desir'd, I love you well. But modesty, that never blush'd before, Discover my false heart: I say no more. Let me alone.

_Q. Dor._ Good Nano, stay awhile. Were I not sad, how kindly could I smile, To see how fain I am to leave this weed! And yet I faint to show myself indeed: But danger hates delay; I will be bold.-- Fair lady, I am not [as you] suppose, A man, but even that queen, more hapless I, Whom Scottish king appointed hath to die; I am the hapless princess, for whose right, These kings in bloody wars revenge despite; I am that Dorothea whom they seek, Yours bounden for your kindness and relief; And, since you are the means that save my life, Yourself and I will to the camp repair, Whereas your husband shall enjoy reward, And bring me to his highness once again.

_Lady And._ Pardon, most gracious princess, if you please, My rude discourse and homely entertain; And, if my words may savour any worth, Vouchsafe my counsel in this weighty cause: Since that our liege hath so unkindly dealt, Give him no trust, return unto your sire; There may you safely live in spite of him.

_Q. Dor._ Ah lady, so would worldly counsel work; But constancy, obedience, and my love, In that my husband is my lord and chief, These call me to compassion of his state: Dissuade me not, for virtue will not change.

_Lady And._ What wondrous constancy is this I hear! If English dames their husbands love so dear, I fear me in the world they have no peer.

_Nano._ Come, princess, wend, and let us change your weed: I long to see you now a queen indeed. [_Exeunt._