Bothwell Of Scotland

[gentle music] [horse galloping]

Hoy! [gentle music]

Your Majesty, I, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, exiled by your father, but your humble servant if you will have me.

You are my father's enemy, my lord.

I will not be yours.

I bring to your banners my army.

I bring to your name of honor through many generations, and a loyalty you need ne'er question.

I have need of a loyalty such as that, but you've been considered an enemy in this court.

This court would consider any honest man an enemy.

I resent that statement, sir.

It is ne'er wise to resent a statement, Your Majesty, before you have examined it.

I tell you, this court is like a rotten apple eaten from within.

Your nobles are a treacherous, lying thieves, and everyone in the world knows it but you.

My noble thieves? Get out of this court before I throw you in irons.

How dare you stand before me and attack my people in such a manner?

I dare because I'm a Scot, and it makes my blood boil to hear the things that are going on in Scotland.

I come back because, regardless of my differences with your father, I love my country and my country's crown, and the wrongs done to the crown and the country burn deep into my own honor.

You are a woman and young, and in a sense defenseless, and you are surrounded by an unscrupulous court that has constantly used you to its own advantage.

I admire your loyalty, but you must know these things are true.

You must have suspected them.

If I have, I'll not admit it to the world.

I am your countryman.

Your fight is my fight.

Will you let me stay? Will you let me fight for you?

Very well.