People, the Queen bids you know this: To-day, this very night, one hour after the curfew, Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil, covered with a black veil from head to foot, bound with an iron gag, a yellow wax candle weighing three pounds in his hand, will be led, by torchlight, from the Tower of London, through Charing Cross, to the old Market-Place of the city, there to be publicly punished and beheaded, for the crimes of high treason and attempt of regicide on the imperial person of the Queen! [_Immense applause outside._ THE PEOPLE. Long live the Queen! Death to Fabiani! SIMON RENARD (_continuing_). And, in order that no one in this city of London shall ignore it, this is what the Queen orders during the entire journey, which the criminal must make from the Tower of London to the old Market-Place: The great bell of the Tower shall toll; at the moment of the execution, three cannon-shots will be fired--the first, when he mounts the scaffold; the second, when he kneels upon the black cloth; the third, when his head falls. [_Applause._] THE PEOPLE. Illuminate! Illuminate! SIMON RENARD. This night the Tower and the city of London will be illuminated with lights and torches, in sign of joy. I have spoken. [_Applause._] God protect the old charter of England! THE TWO HERALDS. God protect the old charter of England. THE PEOPLE. Death to Fabiani! Long live Mary! Long live the Queen! [_The balcony is closed. Simon Renard approaches The Queen._ SIMON RENARD. What I have just done will never be forgiven me by the Princess Elizabeth! THE QUEEN. Nor by Queen Mary. Leave me, sir. [_She dismisses them all with a gesture._ SIMON RENARD (_low to Master Eneas_). Master Eneas, look to the execution! MASTER ENEAS. Count upon me! [_Simon Renard goes out. As Master Eneas is about to go, The Queen rushes to him, seizes him by the arm and drags him violently to the front of the stage._ 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.