Scene II
The Queen, Simon Renard
THE QUEEN.
Come in, Sir Bailiff! Well, did you stay there? Did you hear him?
SIMON RENARD.
Yes, madame.
THE QUEEN.
What do you say to it? Oh, of all men on earth he is the most false, the most deceitful! What do you say to it?
SIMON RENARD.
I say, madame, that it is plain to be seen his name ends in i.
THE QUEEN.
Are you sure that he goes to this woman at night? Did you see him?
SIMON RENARD.
I myself, Chandos, Clinton, Montague. Ten witnesses!
THE QUEEN.
Oh, it is indeed infamous!
SIMON RENARD.
The whole affair will be still better proved to the Queen in a short time. The young woman is here, as I told your Majesty. I had her brought from her house last night.
THE QUEEN.
Isn’t this a sufficient crime for his execution, sir?
SIMON RENARD.
What! To go to see a pretty girl by night! Oh, no, madame! Your Majesty had Frogmorton tried for a similar crime. Frogmorton was acquitted.
THE QUEEN.
I punished Frogmorton’s judges.
SIMON RENARD.
Try not to have to punish Fabiani’s judges.
THE QUEEN.
How shall I revenge myself on this traitor?
SIMON RENARD.
Your Majesty wants only a certain kind of revenge?
THE QUEEN.
The only kind worthy of me!
SIMON RENARD.
Frogmorton was acquitted, madame. There is only one way. I have explained it to your Majesty. The man who is there!
THE QUEEN.
Will he do whatever I wish?
SIMON RENARD.
If you do all that he wishes.
THE QUEEN.
Will he give his life?
SIMON RENARD.
He will make his own conditions, but he will give his life.
THE QUEEN.
What does he want? Do you know?
SIMON RENARD.
What you yourself want—revenge!
THE QUEEN.
Bid him come in, but stay you out there, within call, Sir Bailiff.
SIMON RENARD (coming back).
Madame!
THE QUEEN.
Tell my Lord Chandos to hold himself in the next room, with six men of my ordinance, in readiness to appear. And the woman also, let her be ready to appear. Go.
[Simon Renard goes out.
Oh! it would be frightful!
[The Queen alone. A side door opens; Simon Renard and Gilbert enter.