TÊTE-D'OR: I, the King! Ah! What did you say? Who am I? What have I said? What have I done? VOICE: Did you not stand before us and did you not.... TÊTE-D'OR: Alas! Who am I? Alas! I myself am weak! VOICE: ... say That you would make all force recoil before your face? TÊTE-D'OR: I am only a beggar! I cannot do it! Come! If anyone knows another course to follow Let him announce it and I will live in the grass of the field like an ox. VOICE: We do not know of one. TÊTE-D'OR: "I wish. I know. It shall be." That word Is sure. If the earth Were only a quicksand, I would not be deceived. VOICE: Do you hesitate, now? TÊTE-D'OR (_he shakes and spreads out his hair_) --By this hair, Splendid, saturate with Aurora, fleece imbrued with the blood of the Mother, token of freedom, Golden veil that I raise with my hands! I will dare! I will turn my steps to a place where never a leaf nor tinkling spring Imparts its counsel of peace. Oh! Is it not sure and visible, this thing? Unafraid shall I go forth, like a flaming tree! And like the sun I shall descend to drink. See where I stand in your midst like a candelabrum. --Bind up my hair, Cassius, and braid it like the tail of a horse. _(While Cassius binds up his hair._ THE BROTHER OF THE KING (_advancing_): O Tête-d'or, you have killed my brother! And you have taken his crown, despoiling his daughter and me, and in the place of the ancient right you put a right that is new. But you have placed the crown upon your head. And that it is to which I am attached, and I am as it were a witness of this new wedding. My brother is no longer my brother and his daughter is my niece no more, and if occasion demands I will give you my aid against her and against your enemies. I salute you, O King. _(He takes his bloody hand._ TÊTE-D'OR: Thank you, sir! THE OFFICERS OF STATE (_coming forward according to their rank and taking his hand_): We salute you, O King! TÊTE-D'OR: Do your duty, you who are like the senses of the King and like his memory. THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE (_from where he stands_): I also salute you. _(TÊTE-D'OR makes no answer._ THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE (_coming forward and raising his hand_): I salute you, O King. TÊTE-D'OR: Salute also, voice of the streets, clamor of the markets. Do your duty and cry! Cry and I will try to understand. THE MAN OUT OF OFFICE (_hastily following this example_): I salute you, O King! Do not trust that man nor the others.... I will watch your enemies and keep an eye on all. TÊTE-D'OR: Thanks, dog of the gardener! Be active and vigilant and I will give you your part. _(All have trodden in the blood of the KING. The whole stage is covered with footprints and there are the marks of bloody hands on the walls._ _(Silence._ _(CASSIUS, who was behind TÊTE-D'OR, now steps in front of him and kneels again. TÊTE-D'OR slowly lowers his eyes till their glances meet and they stare at each other with a certain wildness in their gaze._