Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/183

Rh eyes filled me with fear and horror, and I wept inwardly at the sad history of my glorious country. To add to my grief and consternation, the Doctor pressed my arm, and directed my attention to a number of savage-looking men who were ranged along one side of the room, each with a black block before him, and a sharp axe by his side. The King was silent as the Cardinal approached him, and, bowing low, announced that the appointed hour for the execution of some of his Majesty's enemies—traitors to their country—was come.

The King answered: 'Ha! then let them die!'

In obedience to this mandate, the traitors were brought in strongly guarded. Their names are familiar to all readers of history I must not mention them here. I saw their heads rolling on the floor, but no blood appeared to follow them. Shylock here might have had his pound of flesh— if flesh there were—without a single drop of blood breaking his bond.

When the executions were over, and the bodies of the victims had been removed, I noticed a flutter and commotion in the room. A side door opened, and a number of ladies entered in solemn procession. They took their seats on each side of the King. They were clothed in black robes, and had crowns on their heads, and of the six who were thus seated, two had scarlet rings round their necks. A dead silence reigned in the hall and wondered why the Doctor had taken me there, as he well knew how abhorrent to me were scenes of blood, but I conjectured that he had some serious object in view. The King rose from his throne, and seemed to be absorbed by some mental agony. 'The women I have loved,' he murmured, 'and two of them died under the headsmen; it was too bloody—I was a monster, and I ask their forgiveness.' The Queens rose from their seats and knelt before him, and then they all resumed their seats.