Description
MARY TUDOR
FIRST DAY
A MAN OF THE PEOPLE
Scene.-Border of the Thames. A deserted strand. An old parapet in ruins, conceals the borders of the water. To the right, a house of mean appearance. At the corner of this house, a statuette of the Virgin, at whose feet burns a wick in an iron lattice. In the background, beyond the Thames, London. Two high buildings are seen-the Tower of London and Westminster. The sun is setting
SCENE I
Several men are grouped here and there on the Strand, among whom are Simon Renard, John Bridges, Baron Chandos, Robert Clinton, Anthony Brown, Viscount of Montague
LORD CHANDOS.
You are right, my lord, this damned Italian must have bewitched the Queen. She can’t exist without him; she lives only for him, finds pleasure only in him, listens only to him. If a day passes without seeing him, her eyes droop as they did when she loved Cardinal Polus, you remember?
SIMON RENARD.
She is very much in love, it is true, and, consequently, very jealous.
LORD CHANDOS.
The Italian has bewitched her.
LORD MONTAGUE.
For a fact, they say that people of his nationality have philters for that purpose.
LORD CLINTON.
The Spanish are clever at poisons which kill people, the Italians are clever at poisons which make people fall in love.