Beaton: Yes, madam.
Mary: Bothwell is nothing. As Riccio was nothing. Darnley... Darnley is the King, Beaton. A king may be nothing.
Beaton: Shall I tell my Lord Bothwell to come?
Mary: Have they taken him away?
Beaton: David Riccio? Yes, Madam.
Mary: I cannot see Bothwell to-night. To-morrow, perhaps.
Beaton: He is very persistent, Madam.
Mary: Not to-night, Beaton.
- (Beaton goes. Mary looks out into the night again, silent for a few moments, and then sings softly)
Though brighter wit I had than these,
Their cunning brought me down,
But Mary's love-story shall please
Better than their renown.
Not Riccio nor Darnley knew
Nor Bothwell how to find
This Mary's best magnificence
Of the great lover's mind.
