Scene X
The Queen, Master Eneas
THE PEOPLE (outside).
Death to Fabiani! Fabiani! Fabiani!
THE QUEEN.
Whose head is worth most at this moment, do you think—Fabiani’s or yours?
MASTER ENEAS.
Madame!
THE QUEEN.
You are a traitor!
MASTER ENEAS.
Madame! [Aside.] The devil!
THE QUEEN.
No explanations! I swear by my mother, if Fabiano dies, you die!
MASTER ENEAS.
But, madame—
THE QUEEN.
Save Fabiano, and you save yourself—not otherwise!
THE PEOPLE.
Death to Fabiani! Fabiani!
MASTER ENEAS.
Save the Earl of Clanbrassil? But the people are out there! It is impossible! By what means?
THE QUEEN.
Find some!
MASTER ENEAS.
What could I do?
THE QUEEN.
Do what you would for yourself.
MASTER ENEAS.
The people will keep armed until after the execution. To satisfy them, somebody must be beheaded!
THE QUEEN.
Anybody you please.
MASTER ENEAS.
Anybody I please? Wait, madame! The execution will be at night, by torchlight; the criminal covered with a black veil, gagged; the people kept a long way from the scaffold by the pike-men, the same as always. It is enough, if the people see a head fall. The thing is possible. If only the boatman is there yet! I told him not to hurry.
[He goes to the window which overlooks the Thames.
There he is, but we’re just in time!
[He leans out of the window, a torch in his hand, waving his handkerchief, then he turns to The Queen.
All right! I will answer for Lord Fabiani, madame!
THE QUEEN.
On your head?
MASTER ENEAS.
On my head!