SECOND DAY.THE QUEEN
Fabiani [guitar in hand, singing.
When thou dost sleep, beloved,
So calm and pure thou art,
Thy breath soft words doth murmur,
Like music to my heart.
Unveiled and unapparelled,
Thou'rt fairer than the day—
Sleep, my beloved,
For ever and for aye!
When thou dost say: "I love thee!"
Oh! then, my love, meseems
That Heaven itself, above us,
Lies open to my dreams!
Thy glance doth gleam resplendent
With love's divinest ray—
Love, my beloved,
For ever and a day!
Thus all my life, beloved,
Do those four words contain:
All blessings that men envy,
All blessings without pain.
All that the heart seduces
And chases care away—
To sing and laugh, beloved,
To sleep, to love alway!
Oh! I love you, Madame, more than I can say. But that Simon Renard! that Simon Renard! he is more powerful even than yourself, and I hate him!
The Queen.Well you know that I can do nought, my lord. He is the legate of the Prince of Spain, my future husband.
Fabiani.Your future husband!
The Queen.Go to, my lord; let us say no more of that. I love you—what more need you ask? But 'tis time for you to go.
Fabiani.It is my will that the woman keep the Queen waiting at the door.
The Queen.Your will! your will!—Look at me, my lord. You have a youthful and charming face, Fabiano!
Fabiani.It is you who are charming, Madame! You would need nothing more than your beauty to be omnipotent. There is upon your head something that says that you are the Queen, but it is writ on your brow even more plainly than on your crown.
The Queen.You flatter me!
Fabiani.I love you.
The Queen.You do love me, do you not? You love none but me? Tell it me again, so, with those eyes. Alas! we poor women, we never know just what is taking place in a man's heart. We must perforce believe your eyes, and the loveliest, Fabiano, are sometimes the most false. But in your eyes there is such a store of loyalty and sincerity and good faith, that they cannot lie,—is it not so? Yes, your glance is ingenuous and sincere, my comely page. Oh! to assume a celestial expression the better to deceive—that would be infernal. Either your eyes are an angel's eyes, or they are a devil's.
Fabiani.Neither angel nor devil, but a man who loves you.
The Queen.Who loves the Queen.
Fabiani.Who loves Mary.
The Queen.Hark ye, Fabiano, I love you, too. You are young. There are many beautiful women who look sweetly upon you, I know. After a time one wearies of a queen as of another woman.—Do not interrupt me.—If ever you become enamoured of another woman, I wish you to tell me. I will forgive you, it may be, if you tell me.—Do not interrupt me.—You do not know to what point I love you. I do not know myself. There are moments, it is true, when I should prefer to have you dead, than happy with another; but there are moments, too, when I should prefer to have you happy. Great Heaven! I know not why people should seek to cast upon me the reputation of a wicked woman.
Fabiani.I can be happy only with you, Mary. I love none but you.
The Queen.Surely? Look at me. Surely? Oh! I am jealous at times. I imagine—what woman has not such ideas?—I imagine sometimes that you are false to me. I would like to be invisible, so that I might follow you and always know where you are, what you are saying, what you are doing. In the old fairy tales there is a ring that makes its wearer invisible. I would give my crown for that ring. I imagine incessantly that you go to see the fair young women in the city. Ah! you must not deceive me, you see!
Fabiani.Pray banish such thoughts from your mind, Madame. I, deceive you, my lady, my queen, my generous mistress! Why, I must needs be the vilest and most ungrateful of men to do that! But I have given you no reason to think that I am the vilest and most ungrateful of men! And I love you, Mary; I adore you! I could not even look at another woman! I love you, I say! but do you not read it in my eyes? Surely there is an accent of truth which must convince. See—look at me: have I the aspect of a man who is false to you? When a man betrays a woman, it is visible at once. Women are seldom deceived in that. And what a moment you choose to say such things to me, Mary! the moment when in all my life, maphap, I love you most dearly. It is true that it seems to me that I have never loved you as I love you to-day. I am not speaking to the Queen. Egad! I snap my fingers at the Queen! What can the Queen do to me? She can order my head cut off, but what is that? You, Mary, can break my heart. 'Tis not your Majesty that I love, but you. 'Tis your lovely soft white hand that I kiss and adore, and not your sceptre, Madame!
The Queen.Thanks, my Fabiano, Adieu.—Ah! my dear lord, how young you are! Such beautiful black hair and such a charming face! Return an hour hence.
Fabiani.What you call an hour, I call a century.
[Exit.—As soon as he has disappeared, the Queen rises hastily, goes to a concealed door, opens it, and admits Simon Renard.
The Queen.Come in, Master Renard. Well, did you remain there? did you hear?
Renard.Yes, Madame.
The Queen.What say you? Oh! he is the most false and infamous of men! What say you?
Renard.I say, Madame, that it is evident that this fellow bears a name ending in i.
The Queen.And you are sure that he goes to this woman's house at night? You have seen him?
Renard.Yes, and Chandos, Clinton, Montagu—Ten witnesses.
The Queen.This is abominable, in very truth!
Renard.Moreover, the fact will be more clearly proved to the Queen in a moment. The girl is here, as I have told your Majesty. I caused her to be seized in her house last night.
The Queen.But is not this a sufficiently heinous crime for that man to lose his head?
Renard.For visiting a pretty girl at night? Nay, Madame. Your Majesty caused Throckmorton to be accused of a like offence, and Throckmorton was acquitted.
The Queen.I punished Throckmorton's judges.
Renard.Try to have no occasion to punish Fabiani's judges.
The Queen.Oh! how can I be revenged upon that traitor?
Renard.Your Majesty desires vengeance only after a certain manner?
The Queen.The only manner that is worthy of me.
Renard.Throckmorton was acquitted, Madame. There is but one way. I have told your Majesty what it is.—The man who is here.
The Queen.Will he do whatever I wish?
Renard.Yes, if you do what he wishes.
The Queen.Will he give his life?
Renard.He will make his conditions. But he will give his life.
The Queen.What is it that he would have? do you know?
Renard.What you yourself would have: vengeance.
The Queen.Bid him enter, and remain within call.—Master Renard—
Renard [returning.]Madame?
The Queen.Bid my Lord Chandos remain in the adjoining room with six of my guards, ready to enter.—And the woman, too—ready to enter.—Go.
[Exit Renard.
Oh! 'twill be terrible!
[One of the doors at the side opens. Enter Renard and Gilbert.
Gilbert.In whose presence am I?
Renard.The Queen's.
Gilbert.The Queen!
The Queen.Yes, the Queen. I am the Queen. We have no time to waste in surprise. You, sir, are Gilbert, a carver. You live somewhere yonder on the river bank, with one Jane, whose betrothed you are, and who is false to you, and who has for her lover one Fabiano, who is false to me. You would fain be avenged, and so would I. To that end I must be able to dispose of your life at my pleasure. You must say what I order you to say, whatever it may be. Henceforth there must be for you neither false nor true, neither good nor evil, neither just nor unjust—nought save my vengeance and my will. You must let me act and you must let yourself be acted upon. Do you consent?
Gilbert.Your Majesty—
The Queen.Revenge you shall have. But I forewarn you that you must die—that is all. Make your conditions. If you have an aged mother, and I must cover her table-cloth with gold ingots, speak, and I will do it. Sell me your life as dearly as you will.
Gilbert.I am no longer determined to die.
The Queen.How now!
Gilbert.Your Majesty, I reflected all night. As yet I have had no proof of anything. I saw a man who boasted of being Jane's lover. Who can say that he did not lie? I saw a key. Who can say that he did not steal it? I saw a letter. Who can say that she was not forced to write it? Moreover, I am no longer sure that 'twas her hand: it was dark, I was disturbed, I could not see clearly. I cannot give up my life, which is hers, like this. I believe nothing, I am sure of nothing. I have not seen Jane.
The Queen.'Tis plain that you love truly. You are like me, you deny all proofs. But if you do see her, this Jane, if you hear her confess her fault, then will you do what I wish?
Gilbert.Yes; on one condition.
The Queen.Later you shall tell me what it is.
- [To Renard.
The woman, instantly.
[Exit Renard. The Queen places Gilbert behind a curtain which conceals part of the back of the stage.
Stand there.
[Enter Jane, pale and trembling.
The Queen.Come hither, young woman. Know you who we are?
Jane.Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.Know you who the man is who seduced you?
Jane.Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.He deceived you. He represented himself as a gentleman named Amyas Paulet?
Jane.Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.And you know now that he is Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil?
Jane.Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.Last night, when they came and seized you in your house, you had made an assignation with him, you were expecting him?
Jane [clasping her hands.]In Heaven's name, your Majesty!
The Queen.Reply.
Jane [in a faint voice.]Yes.
The Queen.You know that there is no hope—for him or for yourself?
Jane.Only death; that is a hope.
The Queen.Tell me the whole story. Where did you first meet this man?
Jane.The first time I saw him was—But of what avail is all this? An unfortunate girl of the people, poor and vain, coquettish and foolish, in love with fine garments and outside show, who allows herself to be dazzled by the noble aspect of a great lord. That is the whole story. I am seduced, dishonoured, ruined. I have nothing to add to that. My God! do you not see that every word I say tortures me?
The Queen.'Tis well.
Jane.Oh! your Majesty's wrath is a terrible thing, I know. My head is bent in anticipation of the punishment you have in store for me.
The Queen.I, a punishment for you! Think you that I do give a thought to you, fool? Who are you, wretched creature, that a queen should give a thought to you? No, my interest is with Fabiano. As for you, another than I will take it upon himself to punish you.
Jane.Ah! well, your Majesty, whoever it may be to whom you entrust the duty, and whatever the punishment be, I will submit without complaint, I will even thank you, if you will grant a prayer that I am about to make to you. There is a man who took me, an orphan, in my infancy, who adopted me, brought me up, supported me, loved me, and loves me still; a man of whom I am most unworthy, toward whom I have been very wicked, and whose image is none the less in the depths of my heart, as dear, august and sacred as God's image; a man who, I doubt not, at this hour, finds his house empty and deserted and pillaged, and does not understand it, and is tearing his hair in despair. What I ask your Majesty is that he may never understand anything of it, that I may disappear and he never know what has become of me, nor what I did, nor what you have done with me. Alas! I know not if I make myself understood, but you must realize that I have a friend, a noble-hearted, generous friend,—poor Gilbert! yes, it is true, indeed!—who esteems me and believes me to be pure, and that I do not want him to hate and despise me.—You understand, do you not? That man's esteem is much more to me than life! And then it would cause him such terrible grief! It would surprise him so! He would not believe it at first. No, he would not believe it. O God! poor Gilbert! Have pity on him and on me, your Majesty. He has not injured you. Let him know nought of this, in Heaven's name! In Heaven's name! do not let him know that I am guilty; he would kill himself. Do not let him know that I am dead, or he would die.
The Queen.The man of whom you speak is here listening to you; he is judging you and he is about to punish you.
[Gilbert appears.
Jane.O Heaven! Gilbert!
Gilbert [to the Queen.]My life is yours, your Majesty.
The Queen.'Tis well. Have you any conditions to make?
Gilbert.Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.What are they? We give you our royal word that we agree to them.
Gilbert.'Tis a simple matter. 'Tis a debt of gratitude that I discharge to a nobleman of your court who has given me much employment in my trade as a carver.
The Queen.Speak.
Gilbert.This nobleman has a secret intrigue with a woman whom he cannot marry because she belongs to a proscribed family. This woman, who has lived in hiding hitherto, is the only daughter and heiress of the last Lord Talbot, beheaded under King Henry the Eighth.
The Queen.How now! are you sure of what you say? John Talbot, the true-hearted Catholic nobleman, the loyal defender of my mother of Arragon—he left a daughter, do you say? By my crown, if this be true, that child is my child. And what John Talbot did for the mother of Mary of England, Mary of England will do for John Talbot's daughter.
Gilbert.In that case it will be, doubtless, a pleasure to your Majesty, to restore to Lord Talbot's daughter her father's estates?
The Queen.Ay, of a surety; and to take them from Fabiano!—But are there proofs that this heir exists?
Gilbert.There are proofs.
The Queen.In any event, if we have no proofs we will make them. We are not queen to no avail.
Gilbert.Your Majesty will restore to Lord Talbot's daughter the estates, the title, the rank, the name, the arms, and the motto of her father. Your Majesty will relieve her from the sentence of proscription and will be warrant for her safety. Your Majesty will marry her to this nobleman, who is the only man she can marry. On these conditions, you may dispose of my liberty, my life, and my will at your pleasure.
The Queen.'Tis well. I will do what you have said.
Gilbert.Your Majesty will do what I have said? The Queen of England gives me, Gilbert, the journeyman carver, her oath upon this crown and upon yonder open book of the Gospel?
The Queen.Upon this royal crown, and upon yonder book of the Gospel, I swear it!
Gilbert.The bargain is made, your Majesty. Bid them prepare a grave for me and a nuptial bed for the husband and wife. The nobleman of whom I spoke is Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil. The heiress of the Talbots is here.
Jane.What says he?
The Queen.Have I to do with a madman? What does this mean? Pay heed to this, my master, that you are over-bold to make sport of the Queen of England; that the royal apartments is a place where one must keep watch upon the words one speaks, and that there are occasions when the tongue causes the head to fall!
Gilbert.My head your Majesty has; I have your oath.
The Queen.You speak not seriously. Fabiano! Jane!—Go to!
Gilbert.This Jane is the daughter and heiress of Lord Talbot.
The Queen.Bah! visions! chimeras! madness! Have you the proofs?
Gilbert.Complete.
[He produces a package of papers.
Be pleased to read these papers.
The Queen.Have I the time to read your papers? Did I ask for your papers? What care I for your papers? On my soul, if they prove aught, I will throw them into the fire, and nought will remain.
Gilbert.On the crown and the Gospel, your Majesty! that is to say, on your head and your soul, on your life in this world and in the other.
The Queen.But what in Heaven's name would you have? I swear that you are insane!
Gilbert.What would I have? Jane has lost her rank; restore it to her! Jane has lost her honour; restore it to her! Proclaim her the daughter of Lord Talbot and the wife of Lord Clanbrassil, and then take my life.
The Queen.Your life! but what think you that I want of your life now? I wanted it only to revenge myself upon that man, upon Fabiano! Have you no comprehension? Nor, indeed, do I understand you. You prated of revenge! Is this the way you seek revenge? What stupid creatures these men of the people are! And then, think you that I believe your absurd tale of an heiress of the Talbots? The papers! you show me the papers! I choose not to look at them. Ah, yes! a woman betrays you, and you play the generous lover! As you please. I am not generous, myself! I have fierce anger and hatred in my heart. I will avenge myself and you will help me. But the man is mad! he is mad! he is mad! Great God! why have I need of him? It is maddening to have to do with such men in affairs of high import!
Gilbert.I have your word as a Catholic queen. Lord Clanbrassil has seduced Jane, and he shall marry her!
The Queen.And if he refuses to marry her?
Gilbert.Your Majesty will compel him to do so.
Jane.Oh, no! have pity on me, Gilbert!
Gilbert.Very well; if the villain refuses, your Majesty will do with him and with me as you please.
The Queen [joyfully.]Ah! that is all that I wish!
Gilbert.If that should come to pass, then, provided that the coronet of Countess of Waterford be solemnly placed by the Queen upon the sacred and inviolable head of Jane Talbot, I will do all that the Queen may command.
The Queen.All?
Gilbert.All. Even crime, if it is a crime that you require; even treason, which is worse than a crime; even a cowardly deed, which is worse than treason.
The Queen.You will say what you are commanded to say? You will die such death as I desire?
Gilbert.Such death as you desire.
Jane.O God!
The Queen.You swear it?
Gilbert.I swear it.
The Queen.The affair may be arranged thus. 'Tis enough. I have your word, you have mine. 'Tis said.
[She seems to reflect a moment. To Jane.
You are useless here; go. I will recall you.
Jane.O Gilbert, what have you done? O Gilbert, I am a miserable creature, and I dare not lift my eyes to your face! Gilbert, you are more than an angel, for you have an angel's virtues and a man's passions!
[Exit Jane.
The Queen [to Gilbert.]Have you a weapon upon you? a knife, a dagger, anything?
Gilbert [taking from his breast Lord Clanbrassil's dagger.]A dagger? Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.'Tis well. Hold it in your hand.
[She suddenly grasps his arm.
Master Simon Benard! Lord Chandos!
[Enter Simon Renard, Lord Chandos, and Guards.
Arrest this man! He drew his dagger upon me. I seized his arm as he was about to strike me! He is an assassin!
Gilbert.Your Majesty—
The Queen [to Gilbert, in an undertone.]Have you forgotten our agreement already? Is it thus that you submit to my will?
- [Aloud.
You are all witnesses that he had the dagger still in his hand. Master Renard, how call you the headsman of the Tower?
Renard.He is an Irishman named McDermott.
The Queen.Let him be brought before me. I would speak with him.
Renard.In person?
The Queen.In person.
Renard.The Queen will speak to the headsman?
The Queen.Yes, the Queen will speak to the headsman. The head will speak with the hand.—Go, I say.
[Exit one of the guards.
My Lord Chandos, and you, gentlemen, will answer to me for this man. Keep him in your ranks, behind you. Certain things are about to happen here, which it is necessary that he should see.—Master Simon Renard, is Lord Clanbrassil in the palace?
Renard.He is in the Painted Chamber, waiting until it shall be the Queen's pleasure to see him.
The Queen.He suspects nothing?
Renard.Nothing.
The Queen [to Lord Chandos.]Let him be admitted.
Renard.The whole court also is in attendance. Shall any others be introduced before Lord Clanbrassil?
The Queen.Who among my nobles detest Fabiani?
Renard.All of them.
The Queen.But who detest him most?
Renard.Clinton, Montagu, Somerset, the Earl of Derby, Gerard Fitz-Gerard, Lord Paget, the Chancellor.
The Queen [to Lord Chandos.]Introduce all of these save the Lord Chancellor.
[Exit Chandos.
The excellent Chancellor-bishop loves Fabiani no more than the others do, but he is a man of scruples.
[She notices the papers which Gilbert placed upon the table.
Ah! I must glance at these papers.
[While she is examining them, the door at the back of the stage opens. Enter, with profound reverences, the noblemen designated by the Queen.
The Queen.Good-morrow, gentlemen. God have you in his keeping, my lords!
- [To Lord Montagu.
Anthony Browne, I have not forgotten that you held your own worthily against Jean de Montmorency and the Sieur de Toulouse in my negotiations with my uncle the Emperor.—Lord Paget, you will receive to-day your letters patent as Baron Paget of Beaudesert in Staffordshire.—Eh! why 'tis our old friend Lord Clinton! We are still your very good friend, my lord. 'Twas you who annihilated Thomas Wyatt on the plain of St. James. Let us all remember it, gentlemen. On that day the crown of England was saved by a bridge which enabled my troops to reach the rebels, and by wall which prevented the rebels from reaching me. The bridge was London Bridge. The wall was my Lord Clinton.
Clinton [to Renard, in an undertone.]'Tis six months since the Queen last spoke to me. How kind she is to-day!
Renard [in an undertone.]Patience, my lord. You will find her even kinder a moment hence.
The Queen [to Chandos.]Lord Clanbrassil may enter.
- [To Renard.
When he shall have been here a few moments—
[She whispers in his ear and points to the door by which Jane made her exit.
Renard.'Tis enough, Madame.
[Enter Fabiani.
The Queen.Ah! he is here!
- [She whispers again to Renard.
Fabiani [aside, saluted by everybody and looking about.]What may this mean? None but my enemies are here this morning. The Queen whispering to Simon Renard. The devil! She laughs! an evil omen!
The Queen [graciously, to Fabiani.]God have you in his keeping, my lord!
Fabiani [seizing her hand and kissing it.] Madame. [Aside.] She smiled upon me. The peril does not threaten me.
The Queen [still graciously.]I have to speak with you.
[She walks with him to the front of the stage.
Fabiani.And I, too, have to speak with you, Madame. I have to reproach you. To keep me away, to exile me for so long a time! Ah! 'twould not be so if, in the hours of absence, you thought of me as I think of you.
The Queen.You are unjust. Since you left me, I have thought of none but you.
Fabiani.Is it true? Am I so blessed? Say it once more.
The Queen [still smiling.]I swear it.
Fabiani.You love me then, as I love you?
The Queen.Yes, my lord.—Of a surety I have thought of none but you. And to such good purpose that I have arranged a pleasant surprise for your return.
Fabiani.A surprise!
The Queen.A meeting which will give you pleasure.
Fabiani.A meeting with whom?
The Queen.Guess.—You do not guess?
Fabiani.No, Madame.
The Queen.Turn your head.
[He turns and sees Jane on the threshold of the small door.
Fabiani [aside.]Jane!
Jane [aside.]'Tis he!
The Queen [still smiling.]My lord, know you this girl?
Fabiani.No, Madame.
The Queen.Girl, know you my lord?Jane.The truth before life. Yes, your Majesty.
The Queen.And so, my lord, you do not know this woman?
Fabiani.Madame, some one is seeking to ruin me. I am surrounded by enemies. This woman is in league with them, I doubt not. I do not know her, Madame; I do not know who she is, Madame!
The Queen [rising and striking him in the face with her glove.]Ah! you are a dastard!—You betray one and deny the other!—And you do not know who she is! Do you want me to tell you? This woman is Jane Talbot, daughter of John Talbot, the loyal Catholic who died on the scaffold for my mother. This woman is Jane Talbot, my cousin; Jane Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, Countess of Wexford, Countess of Waterford, peeress of England! That is who this woman is!—Lord Paget, you are Keeper of the Privy Seal; you will pay heed to our words. The Queen of England solemnly recognizes the young woman in the presence as Jane, the daughter and only heiress of the last Earl of Waterford.
- [Pointing to the papers.
These are the muniments of title and the proofs, which you will cause to be sealed with the great seal. Such is our pleasure.
- [To Fabiani.
Yes, Countess of Waterford! and that is proved! and you will restore the estates, villain.—Ah! you do not know this woman! you do not know who this woman is! Well, I tell you! She is Jane Talbot! And must I tell you more?
[Looking him in the face, in a low tone, between her teeth.
Dastard! she is your mistress!
Fabiani.Madame—
The Queen.That is what she is! And hark ye, while I tell you what you are. You are a soulless, heartless, witless creature! you are a caitiff and a villain! you are—Oh! gentlemen, you need not stand aside. It matters not to me that you should hear what I say to this man! Methinks I have not lowered my voice.—Fabiano, you are a villain, a traitor to me, a dastard to her, a false-tongued varlet, the vilest, the most base of men! Nathless 'tis true that I have made you Earl of Clanbrassil, Baron Dinasmonddy—and what more? Baron Dartmouth of Devonshire. 'Twas because I was mad! I ask your pardon, my lords, for having forced you to touch elbows with this man. You, a knight! you, a gentleman! you, a nobleman! In Heaven's name, compare yourself to these gentlemen, knave. Look about you—noblemen all! Bridges, Baron Chandos; Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and the Stanleys, who have been Earls of Derby since fourteen hundred eighty-five! The Clintons, too, who have been Barons Clinton since twelve hundred ninety-eight! Do you think, perchance, that you resemble them? You say that you're akin to the Spanish family of Peñalver, but 'tis not true; you are a base-born Italian—nothing, less than nothing! son of a cobbler of the village of Larino!—Yes, gentlemen, a cobbler's son. I knew it, and I said it not, and I concealed it, and I pretended to believe this man when he prated of his nobility. For so are we made, we women. Would God that there were women here—'twould be a lesson to them all. The villain! the villain! He deceives one woman and denies the other. Infamous! Ay, of a surety you are an infamous knave!—How now! While I have been speaking, he is not on his knees! To your knees, Fabiano! My lords, force this man to his knees!
Fabiani.Your Majesty—
The Queen.This caitiff, whom I have overwhelmed with benefactions! this Neapolitan lackey, whom I have made a belted knight and a free English Earl! Ah! I should have expected what has come to pass. 'Twas told to me that it would end thus. But it is always my way, I persist, and then I see that I was wrong. 'Tis my fault. Italian means villain! Neapolitan means dastard! Whenever my father employed the services of an Italian he speedily repented.—Fabiani, forsooth! You see, Lady Jane, unhappy child, to what sort of man you delivered yourself.—But I will avenge you! Ah me! I should have known beforehand that one can take nought from an Italian's pocket save a stiletto, and nought from an Italian's heart save treachery!
Fabiani.Madame, I swear—
The Queen.Now he would perjure himself! He will be vile unto the end; he will cause us to blush to the end before these men,—us poor weak women who loved him! He will not even raise his head!
Fabiani.Yes, Madame, I will raise my head. I am lost, 'tis plain. My death is determined. You will employ all means—the dagger, poison—
The Queen [seizing his hands and leading him hurriedly to the front of the stage.]Poison! the dagger! What say you, Italian? Treacherous vengeance, shameful venegance, vengeance from behind, vengeance as practised in your country! Nay, Signor Fabiani, neither dagger nor poison. Prithee, have I to hide myself, to seek street-corners by night, to make myself small, when I avenge myself? By Heaven, no! I choose broad day, my lord, d'ye hear? high noon, bright sunshine, the public square, the axe and block, the multitude in the street, and at the windows and on the roofs—a hundred thousand witnesses! I choose that they shall be terrified, d'ye hear, my lord? that they shall deem it an awe-inspiring and magnificent spectacle, and that they shall say to one another: " 'Tis a woman who has been insulted, but 'tis a queen who avenges herself."—This favourite so envied, this comely, insolent young man whom I have covered with velvet and satin—I would fain see him bent double, terrified and trembling, kneeling on a black cloth, with bare feet, hands bound, hooted by the mob, handled by the executioner. On that white neck whereon I placed a golden collar, I propose to place a rope. I have seen what aspect this Fabiani would present upon a throne, now I would see what aspect hell present upon a scaffold.
Fabiani.Madame—
The Queen.Nay, not another word! not another word! You are lost, in very truth lost, as you see! You will ascend the scaffold like Suffolk and Northumberland. 'Twill be as welcome a spectacle as another to give to my good city of London. You know well how it hates you, does my good city! By Heaven! 'tis an excellent thing, when one craves vengeance, to be Mary, Queen of England, daughter of Henry the Eighth, and mistress of the four seas. And when you are on the scaffold, Fabiani, you may make, at your pleasure, a long discourse to the people, like Northumberland, or a long prayer to God, like Suffolk, to give the pardon time to arrive. Heaven is my witness that you are a foul traitor, and that the pardon will not come! The wretched varlet who prated to me of love, and called me "thou" this morning!—God's mercy, gentlemen, it seems to surprise you that I speak thus before you; but, I say again, what matters it to me?
- [To Lord Somerset.
My lord duke, you are Constable of the Tower; demand this man's sword.
Fabiani.'Tis here, but I do protest. Even if it be proved that I have betrayed or seduced a woman—
The Queen.Oh! what care I that you have seduced a woman? As if I gave a thought to that! These gentlemen are my witnesses that 'tis indifferent to me.
Fabiani.To seduce a woman is not a capital crime, Madame. Your Majesty was unable to convict Throckmorton upon a like charge.
The Queen.He doth defy us now, I verily believe? The worm becomes a serpent. Who says 'tis of that you're accused?
Fabiani.Of what am I accused, then? I am not an Englishman, I am not a subject of your Majesty. I am a subject of the King of Naples and a vassal of the Holy Father. I will call upon his legate, the most eminent Cardinal Pole, to demand my liberty. I will defend myself, Madame. I am a foreigner. I may not be put to trial, unless I have committed a crime, a real crime.—What is my crime?
The Queen.You ask what is your crime?
Fabiani.I do, Madame.
The Queen.You all do hear the question put to me, my lords. You are about to hear the answer. Pay heed, and look to yourselves, one and all, for you will see that I have but to stamp my foot to cause a scaffold to rise from the ground.—Chandos! Chandos! throw wide yon door! The whole court! Everyone! Let everyone come in!
[The great door opens. Enter the whole court.
The Queen.Enter, my lords, enter. In very sooth I have much pleasure in seeing you all to-day.—This way, you gentlemen of the law—nearer, nearer.—Where are the sergeants-at-arms of the House of Peers—Harriot and Herbert? Ah! you are there, gentlemen.—Most welcome. Draw your swords. 'Tis well. Take your places at this man's right and left hand. He is your prisoner.
Fabiani.Madame, what is my crime?
The Queen.Lord Gardiner, my learned friend, you are the Chancellor of England; we give you to know that you and the twelve lords commissioners of the Star Chamber, whom we regret not to see here, are to assemble with all diligence. Strange things are toward in this palace. Hark ye, my lords. The Lady Elizabeth hath already stirred up more than one enemy to our crown. There was the plot of Pietro Caro, who caused the uprising at Exeter, and who corresponded secretly with the Lady Elizabeth by means of a cipher carven on a guitar. There was the treachery of Thomas Wyatt, who raised the County of Kent. There was the rebellion of the Duke of Suffolk, who was captured in a hollow tree, after the defeat of his supporters. To-day there is a new attempt. Listen, all. To-day, this morning, a man presented himself at my audience. After a few words he drew a dagger upon me. I checked his arm in time. Lord Chandos and Master Simon Renard seized the man. He declared that he was incited to this crime by Lord Clanbrassil.
Fabiani.By me? That is not true. Why, this is a monstrous thing! Such a man does not exist. That man cannot be found. Who is he? where is he?
The Queen.He is here.
Gilbert [stepping out from amongst the soldiers, behind whom he has remained concealed up to this time.]I am the man.
The Queen.In consequence of this man's statements, we, Mary, Queen, do impeach before the Star Chamber this other man, Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil, of high treason and of regicidal assault upon our royal and sacred person.
Fabiani.A regicide! I! 'Tis most monstrous! Oh! my head is wandering, my sight grows dim. What snare is this? Whoever you be, villain, dare you assert that what the Queen has said is true?
Gilbert.Yes.
Fabiani.That I incited you to regicide?
Gilbert.Yes.
Fabiani.Yes! always yes! Malediction! You cannot know, my lords, to what point this is false! This man comes forth from hell. Unhappy wretch! you seek to destroy me, but you know not that you destroy yourself at the same time. The crime with which you charge me lies at your door no less. You will cause my death, but you, too, will die. With a single word, madman, you cause two heads to fall, mine and yours. Know you that?
Gilbert.I know it.
Fabiani.My lords, this man is bought—
Gilbert.By you. Here is the purse full of gold which you gave me to do the deed. Your arms and your cipher are embroidered upon it.
Fabiani.Just Heaven!—But the dagger is not produced with which 'tis said this man sought to strike the Queen. Where is the dagger?
Chandos.'Tis here.
Gilbert [to Fabiani.]'Tis yours.—You gave it me for that purpose. The sheath will be found in your apartments.
Lord Chancellor.Earl of Clanbrassil, what have you to say? Know you this man?
Fabiani.I do not.
Gilbert.In truth he saw me only in the dark.—Allow me to say two words in his ear, Your Majesty. That will assist his memory.
- [He goes to Fabiani.
Do you, then, recognize no person here, my lord? the man you outraged no more than the woman you seduced?—Ah! the Queen may avenge herself, but the man of the people does likewise. You defied me, methinks! And here you are caught between two vengeances, my lord! What say you to it?—I am Gilbert the carver!
Fabiani.Yes, I recognize you.—I recognize this man, my lords. Having to do with this man, I have nothing more to say.
The Queen.He confesses!
Lord Chancellor [to Gilbert.]By the Norman law and the statute of the twenty-fifth of King Henry the Eighth, in the case of lèse-majesté in the first degree, confession doth not save the accessory. Forget not 'tis a case wherein the Queen hath no power of pardon, and that you will die upon the scaffold like him you accuse. Reflect. Do you now confirm all that you have said?
Gilbert.I know that I shall die, and I do confirm it.
Jane [aside.]Great God! if this is a dream, 'tis horrible!
Lord Chancellor [to Gilbert.]Will you repeat your declarations with your hand upon the Gospel?
[He passes the Gospel to Gilbert, who places his hand upon it.
With my hand upon the Gospel, and with my impending death before my eyes, I swear that this man is an assassin; that this dagger, which is his, was employed in the crime; that this purse, which is his, was given to me by him for the crime. This is the truth, so help me God!
Lord Chancellor [to Fabiani.] My lord, what have you to say?
Fabiani.Nothing.—I am lost!
Renard [to the Queen, in an undertone.]Your Majesty sent for the headsman. He is without.
The Queen.Good. Let him enter.
The Queen.My Lord Duke of Somerset, these two men to the Tower!—My Lord Gardiner, our excellent Chancellor, let their trial begin to-morrow before the twelve lords of the Star Chamber, and may God help old England! 'Tis our purpose that these men be duly tried before we set out for Oxford, where we shall open Parliament, and for Windsor, where we shall celebrate our Easter.
- [To the Headsman.
Come hither, you. I rejoice to see you. You are a worthy servitor. You are old, you have already seen three reigns. 'Tis an ancient custom that the sovereigns of this realm shall make you a gift, the most magnificent gift that may be, upon their accession. My father Henry the Eighth gave you the diamond clasp from his cloak. My brother Edward the Sixth gave you a drinking-cup of carved gold. 'Tis my turn now. I have as yet given you nothing. I must needs bestow a gift on you. Come nearer.
- [Pointing to Fabiani.
You see that head, that youthful, charming head, that head which only this morning was what I held most beautiful, dearest and most precious in all the world?—Well, that head—you see it, do you not?— I give to you!