Mary Tudor/Third Day. Which of the two? - First Part
THIRD DAY.WHICH OF THE TWO?
FIRST PART.
A Room in the Tower of London.—An ogive arch upheld by large pillars. At the right and left the narrow doors of two dungeons. At the right a small window supposed to look upon the Thames; at the left another small window supposed to look upon the street. On each side a door concealed in the wall. At the back of the stage a gallery, with a sort of balcony enclosed by glass, and opening upon the outer courtyard of the Tower.
Gilbert.Well?
Joshua.Alas!
Gilbert.No hope?
Joshua.No hope. [Gilbert goes to the window.] Oh! you 'll see nought from the window!
Gilbert.You have made inquiry, have you not?
Joshua.I am only too sure.
Gilbert.'Tis for Fabiani?
Joshua.'Tis for Fabiani.
Gilbert.How fortunate he is! Malediction on my head!
Joshua.Poor Gilbert! Your turn will come. To-day 'tis he, to-morrow 'twill be you.
Gilbert.What mean you? We do not understand each other. Of what do you speak?
Joshua.Of the scaffold that is being built at this moment.
Gilbert.And I am speaking of Jane.
Joshua.Of Jane?
Gilbert.Yes, of Jane! only of Jane! What care I for all the rest? Have you forgotten, pray? do you not remember that, for a month past, with my face glued to the bars of my dungeon, whence I can see the street, I have seen her always hovering about, pale and in mourning garb, at the foot of this tower in which two men are confined, Fabiani and I? Do you not remember my agony, my doubts, my uncertainties? For which of the two does she come? I ask myself that question night and day, poor miserable creature that I am! I have asked it of you, Joshua, and you promised last night to try to see her and speak to her. Oh! do you know this: is it for me that she comes or for Fabiani?
Joshua.I know that Fabiani is surely to be beheaded to-day and you to-morrow, and I confess that since I have known it, Gilbert, I have been as one mad. The scaffold has put Jane out of my mind. Your death—
Gilbert.My death! What mean you by that word? My death is to have Jane not love me. From the day that she ceased to love me, I have been dead. Oh, yes, Joshua, veritably dead. What survives of me since then is not worth the trouble they will take with me to-morrow. Look you, you can form no idea of what it is to be a man who loves! If anyone had said to me two months since: "Jane, your pure and spotless Jane, your love, your pride, your lily, your treasure,—Jane will give herself to another man—will you have aught of her afterward?" I would have said: "No, I'll have nought of her! rather, a thousand times, death for her and for me!" and I would have trampled under my feet the man who spoke to me so.—But now, I would have her! To-day, you say, Jane is no longer the stainless Jane who had all my adoration, the Jane whose brow I scarcely dared touch with my lips; Jane has given herself to another, a knave—I know it, but it matters not to me—I love her! My heart is broken, but I love her! I would kiss the hem of her robe and would ask her pardon if she were angry with me; if she were in the gutter with the women who belong there, I would lift her up and take her to my heart, Joshua!—Joshua, I would give—not a hundred years of my life, since I have but one day more, but the eternity I shall have to-morrow,—to see her smile at me once again, a single time, before my death, and say to me those blessed words she used to say: "I love you!"—Joshua, Joshua, the heart of a man who loves is made that way. Think you that you will kill the woman who is false to you? No, you will not kill her, you will lie at her feet, after as before, but you will be sad. You deem me weak? What should I have gained, pray, by killing Jane? Oh! my heart is full of intolerable thoughts! If she loved me still what would all that she has done matter to me? But she loves Fabiani! but she loves Fabiani! it is for Fabiani's sake that she comes! There is one thing certain—that is that I would be glad to die! Have pity on me, Joshua!
Joshua.Fabiani will be put to death to-day.
Gilbert.And I to-morrow.
Joshua.God is at the end of everything.
Gilbert.To-day I shall be revenged upon him. To-morrow he will be revenged upon me.
Joshua.Brother, here is the second Constable of the Tower, Master Æneas Dulverton. You must go within. I will see you again this evening, brother.
Gilbert.Oh! to die without being loved! to die without being wept! Jane!—Jane!—Jane!
[He goes into the dungeon.
Joshua.Poor Gilbert! Good lack! who ever would have thought that what is happening would happen?
[Exit.—Enter Simon Renard and Master Æneas.
Renard.'Tis most strange, as you say; but what would you have? the Queen is mad, she knows not what she wants. One can count upon nothing—she's a woman. I wonder for what purpose she comes here! Look you, a woman's heart is an enigma, whereof King Frangois the First wrote the answer on the window-pane at Chambord:—
Souvent femme varie.
Bien fol est qui s'y fie.
Hark ye, Master Æneas, we are old friends. This must end to-day. All are at your orders here. If you are bid—
- [He whispers in Master Æneas's ear.
Delay the business, shrewdly bring it to nought. Let me have but two hours to-night, and what I wish is done; to-morrow, no favourite, I am all-powerful, and day after to-morrow you are a baronet and Lieutenant of the Tower. Is it agreed?
Master Æneas.Agreed.
Renard.'Tis well. I hear footsteps. We must not be seen together. Go you that way. I go to meet the Queen.
[They separate.
The Gaoler.You are where you wished to be, my lady. Yonder are the doors of the two dungeons. Now, may it please you, my reward.
[Jane detaches her diamond bracelet and gives it to him.
Jane.Here it is.
The Gaoler.Thanks. Do not betray me. [Exit.
Jane [alone.]Great Heaven! what am I to do? 'Tis I who destroyed him, and it is for me to save him. I shall never succeed. A woman can do nought. The scaffold! the scaffold! 'tis horrible!—For shame! no more tears, but deeds!—But I shall never be able! I shall never be able! Have pity on me, my God!—Methinks some one comes. Who is speaking? I recognize that voice; 'tis the Queen's. Ah me! all is lost!
[She conceals herself behind a pillar.—Enter the Queen and Simon Renard.
The Queen.And so the change surprises you! Aha! I do not resemble myself, you say!—Well, what care I for that? For so it is. Now, I would not have him die.
Renard.But your Majesty decreed yesterday that the execution should take place to-day.
The Queen.As I had decreed day before yesterday that the execution should take place yesterday. As I had decreed Sunday that the execution should take place Monday. To-day, I decree that the execution shall take place to-morrow.
Renard.'Tis true that, since the Second Sunday in Advent, when the sentence of the Star Chamber was pronounced and the two condemned men returned to the Tower, preceded by the headsman with the axe turned toward them,—it was three weeks since,—your Majesty each day postpones the thing until the morrow.
The Queen.Well, do you not understand what that means, good sir? Must I needs tell you all? must a woman lay bare her heart before you, because she is a queen, unhappy creature, and you represent here the Prince of Spain, my future husband? God's mercy! Sir, you men know not this, that in a woman the heart has its modesty no less than the body. Well, yes,—since you insist upon knowing, since you pretend not to understand,—it is true that each day I postpone Fabiani's execution until the morrow, because each morning strength fails me at the thought that the bell of the Tower will soon strike the signal for that man's death; because I feel my senses leaving me at the thought that the axe is being sharpened for that man; because I feel that I am dying when I think that the nails are being driven in that man's coffin; because I am a woman, because I am weak, because I am mad, because I love that man, God help me!—Have you enough? Are you content? Do you understand? Oh! I shall find a way some day to revenge myself upon you for all that you force me to say, I promise you!
Renard.'Tis high time, nathless, to have done with Fabiani. You are to marry my royal master the Prince of Spain, Madame.
The Queen.If the Prince of Spain is not content, let him say as much, and we will espouse another. We shall not lack suitors. The son of the King of the Romans, the Prince of Piedmont, the Infant of Portugal, Cardinal Pole, the King of Denmark, and Lord Courtenay, are as honourable gentlemen as he.
Renard.Lord Courtenay! Lord Courtenay!
The Queen.An English baron, Master Renard, is the equal of a Spanish prince. Moreover, Lord Courtenay is descended from the Emperors of the East. And then—be angry if you please!
Renard.Fabiani has gained the hatred of every person in London who hath a heart.
The Queen.Save myself.
Renard.Touching him the middle classes agree with the nobles. If he is not put to death this very day, as your Majesty has promised—
The Queen.Well?
Renard.There will be an uprising of the lower classes.
The Queen.I have my pikemen.
Renard.There will be plots among the nobles.
The Queen.I have the headsman.
Renard.Your Majesty swore upon your royal mother's Book of Hours that you would not pardon him.
The Queen.Here is my signature in blank which he hath caused to be handed to me, wherein I swear by my imperial crown that I will pardon him. My father's crown is as sacred as my mother's Book of Hours. One oath doth offset the other. Moreover, who says that I shall pardon him?
Renard.He was most insolently false to you, Madame!
The Queen.What's that to me? All men do as much. I do not choose that he shall die. Look you, my lord—Monsieur le bailli, I would say—God in Heaven! you do so confuse my wits that I do not know to whom I speak!—look you, I know all that you are about to say to me. That he is a contemptible creature, a coward, a villain, I know it as you do, and I blush for him. But I love him. What would you have me do? Perchance I should love an honest man less fiercely. And in sooth, who are you all? Are you better men than he? You will tell me that he's a favourite, and that the English nation does not love favourites. Do I not know that you would overthrow him only to put in his place the Earl of Kildare, that Irish coxcomb? What is it to you that he causes twenty heads to fall in a day? And talk not to me of the Prince of Spain. You care nought for him. Talk not to me of the displeasure of M. de Noailles, the French ambassador. M. de Noailles is a fool, and I will tell him so to his beard. Besides, I am a woman, I will and I will not, I am not always the same. That man's life is necessary to my life. Nay, take not on that air of virginal innocence and candour, I beseech you. I know all your intrigues. Between ourselves, you know, as well as I, that he did not commit the crime for which he is sentenced to die. It was arranged. I do not choose that Fabiani shall die. Am I mistress or am I not?—Master Renard, let us talk of other things, if such is your pleasure.
Renard.I retire, Madame. All your nobility have spoken to you through my mouth.
The Queen.What's my nobility to me?
Renard [aside.]We must try the people.
[Exit, with a low bow.
The Queen [alone.]He had a strange look when he left me. That man is capable of arousing sedition. I must hasten to the Guildhall.—Without there, ho!
[Enter Master Æneas and Joshua.
The Queen.'Tis you, Master Æneas? You and this man must look to it that the Earl of Clanbrassil make his escape instantly.
Master Æneas.Your Majesty—
The Queen.Ah! I do not trust you; I remember that you are of his enemies. Just Heaven! Am I surrounded by none but foes of the man I love? I'll be sworn that this turnkey, whom I do not know, likewise hates him.
Joshua.'Tis true, your Majesty.
The Queen.My God! my God! This Simon Renard is more king than I am queen. What! no one here whom I may trust! no one to whom to give full powers to effect Fabiani's escape!
Jane [stepping from behind the pillar.]Yes, your Majesty—I!
Joshua [aside.]Jane!
The Queen.You! who are you? 'Tis you, Jane Talbot? How came you here? But no matter—you are here! you come to save Fabiani! Thanks! I should hate you, Jane, I should be jealous of you—I have a thousand reasons for it. But no, I love you for loving him. In face of the scaffold there 's an end of jealousy,—nothing is left but love. You are like me—you forgive him, I see. Men cannot understand that. Lady Jane, let us understand each other. We are both most unhappy, are we not? We must help Fabiani to escape. I have no one but you, so I must needs take you. I am sure at least that your whole heart is enlisted. Look you to it.—My masters, you will both obey Lady Jane in whatever she shall command, and you will answer to me with your heads for the execution of her orders. Embrace me, girl.
Jane.The Thames washes the foot of the Tower on this side. There is a secret issue that I have remarked. A boat at that issue, and the escape may be made by the Thames. 'Tis the safest way.
Master Æneas.'Tis impossible to have a boat there within an hour.
Jane.'Tis very long.
Master Æneas.'Twill soon have passed. Moreover, in an hour 'twill be dark. That will be better, if her Majesty desires that the escape be secret.
The Queen.It may be that you are right. So be it, then—an hour hence. I leave you, Lady Jane. I must to the Guildhall. Save Fabiani!
Jane.Have no fear, Madame!
[Exit the Queen. Jane looks after her.
Joshua [at the front of the stage.]Gilbert was right, she's all for Fabiani!
Jane [to Master Æneas.]You heard the Queen's commands. A boat here at the base of the Tower, the keys to the secret passages, a hat and a cloak.
Master Æneas.Impossible to obtain all those before night. In an hour, my lady.
Jane.'Tis well. Go. Leave me with this man.
[Exit Master Æneas. Jane looks after him.
Joshua [at the front of the stage, aside.]This man! 'Tis plain enough. She who has forgotten Gilbert no longer recognizes Joshua.
[He walks toward Fabiani's cell and prepares to open it.
Jane.What do you there?
Joshua.I anticipate your wishes, my lady. I am opening this door.
Jane.What door is that?
Joshua.The door of my Lord Fabiani's cell.
Jane.And this?
Joshua.The door of another man's cell.
Jane.What other man?
Joshua.Another man condemned to death; someone whom you do not know—a carver named Gilbert.
Jane.Open this door!
Joshua [after opening the door.]Gilbert!
Gilbert [inside the dungeon.]What would you with me?
[He appears in the doorway, sees Jane, and leans, trembling, against the wall.
Jane! Lady Jane Talbot!
Jane [on her knees, without looking up at him.]Gilbert, I have come to save you!
Gilbert.To save me!
Jane.Listen, and have pity; do not crush me. I know all that you will say to me. 'Tis just, but do not say it. I must save you. Everything is made ready. Escape is certain. Allow me to save you as you would allow another. I ask nothing more. Afterward you will not know me. You will no longer know who I am. Do not forgive me but let me save you. Will you?
Gilbert.Thanks, but 'tis useless. To what good end would you save my life if you no longer love me, Lady Jane?
Jane [joyfully.]O Gilbert, do you really mean to ask me that question? Can it be that you still condescend to give a thought to what is taking place in this poor girl's heart? Can it be, Gilbert, that the love I might bear any man is still of interest to you, and seems to you to be worth the trouble of inquiring about it? Ah me! I thought that it was matter of indifference to you, and that you despised me too much to care what I might do with my heart. Gilbert, if you know what effect those words of yours have had upon me! They are like an unexpected ray of sunlight in my heart! Oh! pray listen to me! If I dared to go near you, if I dared to touch your garments, if I dared to take your hand in mine, if I dared to raise my eyes to you and to Heaven, as of old, do you know what I would say to you, on my knees, weeping at your feet, with sobs in my throat, and in my heart the joy that angels know? I would say: "Gilbert, I love you!"
Gilbert [seizing her in his arms, in a frenzy of passion.]You love me!
Jane.Yes, I love you!
Gilbert.You love me!—She loves me, O my God! 'Tis true, 'tis she who says it to me; 'twas her lips that spoke. God in Heaven!
Jane.My Gilbert!
Gilbert.You have made everything ready for my escape, you say! Quickly! quickly! Life! I long for life! Jane loves me! This vault rests on my head and crushes me. I need air. I am suffocating here! Let us fly at once! Come, Jane! I want to live! I am loved!
Jane.Not yet. We must have a boat. We must await the darkness. But have no fear, you are saved. Within an hour we shall be outside these walls; the Queen is at the Guildhall, and will not return at once. I am mistress here. I will explain it all to you.
Gilbert.An hour of suspense is very long! Oh! I long to grasp life and happiness once more! Jane! you are here, Jane! I shall live! you love me! I have returned from hell! Hold me, or I shall do some mad thing. I shall laugh and sing. You love me, then?
Jane.Yes, I love you! Yes, I love you! And—believe me, Gilbert, this is the truth, as I were on my death-bed—I have never loved any other than you! Even in my sin, even in the depths of my crime, I loved you! I had no sooner fallen into the arms of the demon who ruined me than I wept for my angel!
Gilbert.Forgotten! forgiven! Say no more of that, Jane. Bah! what does the past matter? Who could resist your voice? Who would do otherwise than I have done? Ah, yes, I forgive everything, everything, my beloved child! The essence of love is indulgence and pardon. Jane, jealousy and despair dried the tears in my eyes, but I forgive you; I thank you; you are to me the only truly radiant object in this world, and at every word you utter I feel a sorrow die and a joy spring to life in my heart! Jane, raise your head, stand straight, and look at me.—I tell you that you are my child.
Jane.Always noble-hearted! always, my beloved Gilbert!
Gilbert.Oh! I would that I were already without, in flight, far, far away, free, with you!—Why does not the night come?—The boat is not there!—We will leave London at once, Jane,—to-night. We will leave England. We will go to Venice. Men of my craft earn much money there. You will be mine. my God! I am mad; I forgot the name you bear! It is too great a name, Jane!
Jane.What do you mean?
Gilbert.Lord Talbot's daughter.
Jane.I know a nobler name.
Gilbert.What is that?
Jane.Gilbert the carver's wife.
Gilbert.Jane!
Jane.Oh, no! oh! think not that I ask you for that. Too well I know that I am unworthy of it. I will not raise my eyes so high. I will not abuse forgiveness to that degree. The poor carver Gilbert will not mismate himself with the Countess of Waterford. No, I will follow you, I will love you, I will never leave you. I will sleep at your feet by day, at your door by night. I will watch you work, I will help you, I will give you whatever you need. I will be to you something less than a sister, something more than a dog. And, Gilbert, if you marry,—for it will please God that you shall find at last a pure and spotless woman, who is worthy of you,—if you marry, and if your wife is kind and is willing, I will be your wife's handmaid. If you do not marry, I will stay with you, I will be very meek and resigned, as you will see; and if people think evil upon seeing me with you, why, they may think what they choose. I have nothing to blush for now, you see! I am a lost girl!
Gilbert [falling at her feet.]You are an angel! you are my wife!
Jane.Your wife! you forgive, then, only as God forgives, by purifying! Oh! Heaven bless you, Gilbert, for placing this crown on my brow!
[Gilbert rises and strains her to his heart. While they are in close embrace, Joshua goes to them and takes Jane's hand.
Joshua.'Tis Joshua, Lady Jane.
Gilbert.Dear Joshua!
Joshua.A moment since, you did not recognize me.
Jane.Ah! it was because I had to begin with him.
[Joshua kisses her hands.
Gilbert [embracing her.]What bliss! But can it be that all this bliss is real?
[For several minutes a distant uproar out-of-doors, with confused cries, has been audible. It is growing dark.
Joshua.What is this tumult?
[He goes to the window looking on the street.
Jane.God grant that nothing is going to happen!
Joshua.A great crowd below. Mattocks, pikes and torches. The Queen's pensioners mounted and in battle order. All coming this way. What cries! The deuce! One would say 'twas a popular uprising.
Jane.God grant 'tis not against Gilbert!
Distant Cries.Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!
Jane.Do you hear?
Joshua.Yes.
Jane.What do they say?
Joshua.I cannot hear plainly.
Jane.O my God! my God!
[Enter hastily, by the mashed door, Master Æneas and a boatman.
Master Æneas.My Lord Fabiani! my lord! not an instant to lose! It is known that the Queen intended to save your life. The London populace has risen against you. In a quarter of an hour you will be torn in pieces. Fly, my lord! Here is a hat and a cloak; and here the keys. Here is a boatman. Do not forget that it is to me that you owe all this. Hasten, my lord!
- [To the Boatman, in an undertone.
You will not hurry.
Jane [hastily clothing Gilbert with the hat and cloak. To Joshua, in an undertone.]Great Heaven! if only this man do not recognize—
Master Æneas [looking Gilbert in the face.]How now! 'Tis not Lord Clanbrassil! You do not carry out the Queen's commands, my lady! You are helping another to escape!
Jane.All is lost!—I should have foreseen this!—In God's name, sir—'tis true—have pity—
Master Æneas [to Jane, in an undertone.]Silence! Continue! I have said nought, I have seen nought!
[He walks toward the back of the stage, with an unconcerned air.
Jane.What says he?—Ah! so Providence is on our side! Can it be that everybody would fain save Gilbert?
Joshua.No, Lady Jane. Everybody would fain destroy Fabiani.
[Throughout the whole scene the cries outside have been increasing in violence.
Jane.Let us hasten, Gilbert! Come quickly!
Joshua.Let him go alone.
Jane.Leave him?
Joshua.For an instant. No woman in the boat, if you wish it to arrive safely. There is still too much daylight. You are dressed in white. When the danger is past, you will find each other. Come with me this way. He, that way.
Jane.Joshua is right. Where shall I find you again, dear Gilbert?
Gilbert.Under the first arch of London Bridge.
Jane.'Tis well. Go quickly. The noise is increasing. I wish that you were far away!
Joshua.Here are the keys. There are twelve doors to open and close between here and the shore of the river. 'Twill take a good quarter of an hour.
Jane.A quarter of an hour! twelve doors! 'tis frightful!
Gilbert [embracing her.]Good-bye, Jane. A few moments more of separation, and we shall be united for life.
Jane.For eternity! [To the Boatman.] Sir, I commend him to you.
Master Æneas [to the Boatman, in an undertone.]For fear of accident, do not hurry.
[Exit Gilbert with the Boatman.
Joshua.He is saved. Now we must look to ourselves! I must close this cell. [He locks the door of Gilbert's cell.] 'Tis done. Come quickly this way.
[Exit with Jane by the other masked door.
Master Æneas [alone.]Fabiani remains in the trap! There's a very crafty little woman whom Master Simon Renard would have paid handsomely. But how will the Queen take it all? God grant that it does not fall back upon me!
[Enter hurriedly, through the gallery, Simon Renard and The Queen. The uproar outside constantly increases. It is almost entirely dark.—Cries of "Death!" torches, vague mutterings of the crowd. Clashing of weapons, reports of fire-arms, stamping of horses. Several gentlemen, with daggers drawn, accompany The Queen. Among them, Clarence, the Herald of England, bearing the royal banner, and the Herald of the Order of the Garter bearing the banner of the Order.
The Queen [to Master Æneas, in an undertone.]Has Fabiani escaped?
Master Æneas.Not yet.
The Queen.Not yet!
[She fastens her eyes upon him with a terrible expression.
Master Æneas [aside.]The devil!
Cries of the Populace [without.]Death to Fabiani!
Renard.Your Majesty must needs make up your mind instantly. The people demand this man's death. London is on fire. The Tower is besieged. The uprising is formidable. The nobles of the ban have been cut in pieces on London Bridge. Your Majesty's pensioners still hold their own; but your Majesty has been followed none the less from street to street, from the Guildhall to the Tower. The Lady Elizabeth's partisans are scattered through the mob. One feels their presence by the malignity of the uprising. All this is most ominous. What are your Majesty's commands?
Cries of the Populace.Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!
[The shouts increase in volume and draw nearer and nearer.
The Queen."Death to Fabiani!" My lords, hear you this howling mob? We must toss a man to it. The people would fain eat.
Renard.What are your Majesty's commands?
The Queen.By Heaven, my lords, methinks you are all a-tremble about me! By my soul, must a woman teach you your trade of gentlemen? To horse, my lords, to horse! Can it be that the curs frighten you? Can it be that the swords are afraid of staves?
Renard.Do not allow matters to go further. Yield, Madame, while there still is time. You can still say "curs"; an hour hence you will be compelled to say "the people."
[The cries redouble in violence, the uproar draws nearer.
The Queen.An hour!
Renard [going to the gallery and returning.]A quarter of an hour, Madame. Already the first outwork of the Tower is carried. Another step and the people are upon us.
The People.To the Tower! to the Tower! Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!
The Queen.How truly 'tis said the people is a terrifying thing! Fabiano!
Renard.Do you desire to see them tear and rend before your eyes in a moment?
The Queen.Heaven's mercy, gentlemen! do you know what an infamous thing it is that not one of you doth stir? In God's name, defend me!
Clinton.You, yes, your Majesty; but not Fabiani.
The Queen.Great Heaven! Well, since I must, I say it aloud! Fabiano is innocent! Fabiano did not commit the crime for which he is condemned to death. 'Twas I, and this man beside me, and Gilbert the carver, who did it all, devised it all. Pure comedy. Dare to contradict me, Master Simon Renard! Now, gentlemen, will you defend him? He is innocent, I tell you! By my head, by my crown, by my God, by my mother's soul, he is innocent of the crime! 'Tis as true as that you stand there, my Lord Clinton. Defend him. Exterminate this rabble as you exterminated Thomas Wyatt, my gallant Clinton, my old friend, my good Robert! I swear to you 't is false that Fabiano tried to assassinate the Queen.
Clinton.There is another queen whom he would fain assassinate—England.
[The outcries without continue.
The Queen.The balcony! open the balcony! I will myself prove to the people that he 's not guilty!
Renard.Prove to the people that he 's not an Italian.
The Queen.When I think that 'tis a Simon Renard, a creature of Cardinal Granvelle, who dares address me thus!—Open this door! open this dungeon! Fabiano is within. I wish to see him, I wish to speak with him.
Renard [in an undertone.]What are you doing? In his own interest 'tis useless to let everybody know where he is.
The People.Death to Fabiani! Long live Elizabeth!
Renard.Listen: now they are shouting, "Long live Elizabeth!"
The Queen.My God! my God!
Renard.Choose, Madame— [He points with one hand to the dungeon.] Either yonder head to the people— [With the other hand he points to the crown that the Queen wears.] Or this crown to Madame Elizabeth.
The People.Death! death! Fabiani! Elizabeth!
[A window-pane near the Queen is broken by a stone thrown from outside.
Renard.Your Majesty is destroying yourself without saving him. The second court is forced. What are the Queen's commands?
The Queen.You are cowards all! and Clinton first! Ah! Clinton, I shall remember this, my friend!
Renard.What are the Queen's commands?
The Queen.Oh! to be abandoned by all! to have laid bare my heart and obtained nothing! In Heaven's name what manner of gentlemen are these? This mob is infamous! I would gladly crush it under my feet. So there be times when a queen is nought but a woman? You shall all pay me very dearly for this, gentlemen!
Renard.What are the Queen's commands?
The Queen [in despair.]What you choose. Do what you will. You are a murderer! [Aside.] O Fabiano!
Renard.Clarence! Garter! Come with me!—Master Æneas, throw open the great balcony of the gallery.
The People.Fabiani! Fabiani!
Renard [on the balcony, facing the crowd.]In the Queen's name!
The Heralds.In the Queen's name!
[Profound silence without.
Renard.Ye clowns, hear what the Queen gives you to know. To-night, an hour after curfew, Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil, shrouded from head to foot in a black veil, gagged with a gag of iron, in his hand a candle of yellow wax of three pounds' weight, will be escorted by torchlight from the Tower, by Charing Cross, to the old Market, there to be publicly beheaded, in reparation of his crimes of high treason in the first degree and of regicidal assault upon her Majesty's imperial person.
- [Tumultuous applause without.
The People.Long live the Queen! Death to Fabiani!
Renard [continuing.]And, to the end that no person in this city of London may be unknowing thereof, these are the Queen's commands:—Throughout the journey of the condemned man from the Tower to the Old Market, the great bell of the Tower shall be rung. At the moment of the execution three guns shall be fired: the first, when he shall ascend the scaffold; the second, when he shall kneel upon the black cloth; the third, when his head shall fall.
- [Applause.
The People.Illuminate! illuminate!
Renard.To-night the Tower and the City of London will be illuminated with fires and torches in token of rejoicing. I have said.
- [Applause.
God preserve the ancient liberties of England!
The Heralds.God preserve the ancient liberties of England!
The People.Death to Fabiani! Long live Mary! Long live the Queen!
[The balcony closes; Simon Renard returns to the Queen's side.
Renard.What I have done will never be forgiven by the Princess Elizabeth.
The Queen.Nor by Queen Mary.—Leave me, sir.
[She dismisses with a gesture all who are present.
Renard [to Master Æneas, in an undertone.]Master Æneas, look to the execution.
Master Æneas.Depend upon me.
The People.Death to Fabiani! Fabiani!
The Queen.Which of the two heads, think you, is worth the more at this moment—Fabiani's or yours?
Master Æneas.Your Majesty—
The Queen.You are a traitor!
Master Æneas.Your Majesty—[Aside.] The devil!
The Queen.No excuses. I swear by my mother that when Fabiano dies you shall die.
Master Æneas.But, your Majesty—
The Queen.Save Fabiano, you will save yourself. Not otherwise.
The People.Death to Fabiani! Fabiani!
Master Æneas.Save Lord Clanbrassil! But the mob is outside. It is impossible! How—
The Queen.Find a way.
Master Æneas.Great God! what am I to do?
The Queen.Do as for yourself.
Master Æneas.But the populace will remain under arms until after the execution. To appease them, somebody must be beheaded.
The Queen.Whoever you please.
Master Æneas.Whoever I please? Stay, your Majesty.—The execution will take place at night, by torchlight, the culprit covered with a black veil, gagged, the people kept at a distance from the scaffold by pikemen, as always. 'Tis enough for them to see a head fall. The thing is possible.—If only the boatman is still there! I bade him not to hurry.
[He goes to the window from which the Thames is visible.
He is still there! but 'twas time.
[He leans from the window, torch in hand, and waves his handkerchief; then he turns to the Queen.
'Tis well.—I will answer to you for my lord Fabiani, your Majesty.
The Queen.On your head?
Master Æneas.On my head.