Chapter 384

Enter BURLEIGH and DAVISON, with a paper.

ELIZABETH. Well, Davison?

DAVISON (approaches earnestly). Your orders are obeyed, My queen----

ELIZABETH. What orders, sir?

[As she is about to take the paper, she shudders, and starts back.

Oh, God!

BURLEIGH. Obey Thy people's voice; it is the voice of God.

ELIZABETH (irresolute, as if in contest with herself) Oh, my good lord, who will assure me now That what I hear is my whole people's voice, The voice of all the world! Ah! much I fear, That, if I now should listen to the wish Of the wild multitude, a different voice Might soon be heard;--and that the very men, Who now by force oblige me to this step, May, when 'tis taken, heavily condemn me!