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 He is innocent, I tell you! By my head, by my crown, by my God, by my mother's soul, he is innocent of the crime! 'Tis as true as that you stand there, my Lord Clinton. Defend him. Exterminate this rabble as you exterminated Thomas Wyatt, my gallant Clinton, my old friend, my good Robert! I swear to you 't is false that Fabiano tried to assassinate the Queen.

Clinton.There is another queen whom he would fain assassinate—England.

[The outcries without continue.

The Queen.The balcony! open the balcony! I will myself prove to the people that he 's not guilty!

Renard.Prove to the people that he 's not an Italian.

The Queen.When I think that 'tis a Simon Renard, a creature of Cardinal Granvelle, who dares address me thus!—Open this door! open this dungeon! Fabiano is within. I wish to see him, I wish to speak with him.

Renard [in an undertone.]What are you doing? In his own interest 'tis useless to let everybody know where he is.

The People.Death to Fabiani! Long live Elizabeth!

Renard.Listen: now they are shouting, "Long live Elizabeth!"

The Queen.My God! my God!

Renard.Choose, Madame— [He points with one hand to the dungeon.] Either yonder head to the people— [With the other hand he points to the crown that the wears.] Or this crown to Madame Elizabeth.

The People.Death! death! Fabiani! Elizabeth!