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 varlet who prated to me of love, and called me "thou" this morning!—God's mercy, gentlemen, it seems to surprise you that I speak thus before you; but, I say again, what matters it to me?


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My lord duke, you are Constable of the Tower; demand this man's sword.

Fabiani.'Tis here, but I do protest. Even if it be proved that I have betrayed or seduced a woman—

The Queen.Oh! what care I that you have seduced a woman? As if I gave a thought to that! These gentlemen are my witnesses that 'tis indifferent to me.

Fabiani.To seduce a woman is not a capital crime, Madame. Your Majesty was unable to convict Throckmorton upon a like charge.

The Queen.He doth defy us now, I verily believe? The worm becomes a serpent. Who says 'tis of that you're accused?

Fabiani.Of what am I accused, then? I am not an Englishman, I am not a subject of your Majesty. I am a subject of the King of Naples and a vassal of the Holy Father. I will call upon his legate, the most eminent Cardinal Pole, to demand my liberty. I will defend myself, Madame. I am a foreigner. I may not be put to trial, unless I have committed a crime, a real crime.—What is my crime?

The Queen.You ask what is your crime?

Fabiani.I do, Madame.

The Queen.You all do hear the question put to me, my lords. You are about to hear the answer. Pay heed, and look to yourselves, one and all, for you will see that I have but to stamp my foot to cause a scaffold to rise from the