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
