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第45章

mary stuart-第45章

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apothecary; Jacques Gervais her surgeon; Annibal Stewart her footman;

Dither Sifflart her butler; Jean Laudder her baker; and Martin Huet

her carver。



Then the Earl of Shrewsbury; with head bared like all those present;

who remained thus as long as they were in the queen's room; began to

say in English; addressing Mary



〃Madam; the Queen of England; my august mistress; has sent me to you;

with the Earl of Kent and Sir Robert Beale; here present; to make

known to you that after having honourably proceeded in the inquiry

into the deed of which you are accused and found guilty; an inquiry

which has already been submitted to your Grace by Lord Buckhurst; and

having delayed as long as it was in her power the execution of the

sentence; she can no longer withstand the importunity of her

subjects; who press her to carry it out; so great and loving is their

fear for her。  For this purpose we have come the bearers of a

commission; and we beg very humbly; madam; that it may please you to

hear it read。〃



〃Read; my lord; I am listening;〃 replied Mary Stuart; with the

greatest calmness。  Then Robert Beale unrolled the said commission;

which was on parchment; sealed with the Great Seal in yellow wax; and

read as follows:



〃Elizabeth; by the grace of God; (queen of England; France; and

Ireland; etc。; to our beloved and faithful cousins; George; Earl of

Shrewsbury; Grand Marshal of England; Henry; Earl of Kent; Henry;

Earl of Derby; George; Earl of Cumberland; Henry; Earl of Pembroke;

greeting: 'The Earls of Cumberland; Derby; and Pembroke did not

attend to the queen's orders; and were present neither at the reading

of the sentence nor at the execution。'



〃Considering the sentence by us given; and others of our Council;

nobility; and judges; against the former (queen of Scotland; bearing

the name of Mary; daughter and heiress of James v; King of Scotland;

commonly called Queen of Scotland and Dowager of France; which

sentence all the estates of our realm in our last Parliament

assembled not only concluded; but; after mature deliberation;

ratified as being just and reasonable; considering also the urgent

prayer and request of our subjects; begging us and pressing us to

proceed to the publication thereof; and to carry it into execution

against her person; according as they judge it duly merited; adding

in this place that her detention was and would be daily a certain and

evident danger; not only to our life; but also to themselves and

their posterity; and to the public weal of this realm; as much on

account of the Gospel and the true religion of Christ as of the peace

and tranquillity of this State; although the said sentence has been

frequently delayed; so that even until this time we abstained from

issuing the commission to execute it: yet; for the complete

satisfaction of the said demands made by the Estates of our

Parliament; through which daily we hear that all our friends and

subjects; as well as the nobility; the wisest; greatest; and most

pious; nay; even those of inferior condition; with all humility and

affection from the care they have of our life; and consequently from

the fear they have of the destruction of the present divine and happy

state of the realm if we spare the final execution; consenting and

desiring the said execution; though the general and continual

demands; prayers; counsels; and advice were in such things contrary

to our natural inclination; yet; being convinced of the urgent weight

of their continual intercessions tending to the safety of our person;

and also to the public and private state of our realm; we have at

last consented and suffered that justice have its course; and for its

execution; considering the singular confidence we have in your

fidelity and loyalty together for the love and affection that you

have toward us; particularly to the safe…guarding of our person and

our country of which you are very noble and chief members; we summon;

and; for the discharge of it we enjoin you; that at sight of these

presents you go to the castle of Fotheringay; where the former Queen

of Scotland is; in the care of our friend and faithful servant and

counsellor; Sir Amyas Paulet; and there take into your keeping and do

that by your command execution be done on her person; in the presence

of yourselves and the said Sir Amyas Paulet; and of all the other

officers of justice whom you command to be there: in the meantime we

have for this end and this execution given warrant in such a way and

manner; and in such a time and place; and by such persons; that you

five; four; three; or two; find expedient in your discretion;

notwithstanding all laws; statutes; and ordinances whatsoever;

contrary to these presents; sealed with our Great Seal of England;

which will serve for each of you; and all those who are present; or

will make by your order anything pertaining to the execution

aforesaid full and sufficient discharge for ever。



〃Done and given in our house at Greenwich; the first day of February

(10th February New Style); in the twenty…ninth year of our reign。〃



Mary listened to this reading with great calmness and great dignity;

then; when it was ended; making the sign of the cross



〃Welcome;〃 said she; 〃to all news which comes in the name of God!

Thanks; Lord; for that You deign to put an end to all the ills You

have seen me suffer for nineteen years and more。〃




〃Madam;〃 said the Earl of Kent; 〃have no ill…will towards us on

account of your death; it was necessary to the peace of the State and

the progress of the new religion。〃



〃So;〃 cried Mary with delight; 〃so I shall have the happiness of

dying for the faith of my fathers; thus God deigns to grant me the

glory of martyrdom。  Thanks; God;〃 added she; joining her hands with

less excitement but with more piety; 〃thanks that You have deigned to

destine for me such an end; of which I was not worthy。  That; O my

God; is indeed a proof of Your love; and an assurance that You will

receive me in the number of Your servants; for although this sentence

had been notified to me; I was afraid; from the manner in which they

have dealt with me for nineteen years; of not yet being so near as I

am to such a happy end; thinking that your queen would not dare to

lay a hand on me; who; by the grace of God; am a queen as she is; the

daughter of a queen as she is; crowned as she is; her near relative;

granddaughter of King Henry VII; and who has had the honour of being

Queen of France; of which I am still Dowager; and this fear was so

much the greater;〃 added she; laying her hand on a New Testament

which was near her on the little table; 〃that; I swear on this holy

book; I have never attempted; consented to; or even desired the death

of my sister; the Queen of England。〃



〃Madam;〃 replied the Earl of Kent; taking a step towards her and

pointing to the New Testament; 〃this book on which you have sworn is

not genuine; since it is the papist version; consequently; your oath

cannot be considered as any more genuine than the book on which it

has been taken。〃



〃My lord;〃 answered the queen; 〃what you say may befit you; but not

me; who well know that this book is the true and faithful version of

the word of the Lord; a version made by a very wise divine; a very

good man; and approved by the Church。〃



〃Madam;〃 the Earl of Kent returned; 〃your Grace stopped at what you

were taught in your youth; without inquiry as to whether it was good

or bad: it is not surprising; then; that you have remained in your

error; for want of having heard anyone who could make known the truth

to you; this is why; as your Grace has but a few hours longer to

remain in this world; and consequently has no time to lose; with your

permission we shall send for the Dean of Peterborough; the most

learned man there is on the subject of religion; who; with his word;

will prepare you for your salvation; which you risk to our great

grief and tha

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