BEA. [Pitifully, reaching out her arms towards her.] Snow-White! Snow-White!--farewell! BIA. [Without turning.] Oh, God have mercy! [Exit Bianca.] [Beatrice falls unconscious to the floor.] CURTAIN ACT V Scene 1 [A room in the palace at Fiori. Anselmo and Luigi.] LUIGI. Nay, is that true, Anselmo? ANS. Aye, 'tis true. But no one saw save me, I drew her sword Out of his heart and thrust it in its scabbard, Where she lay senseless. LUI. Oh, unhappy Queen! ANS. Ay, she does not forget. Has it not struck you She rides no more? Her black horse stands in stable, Eating his head off. It is two years now Since she has visited Lagoverde; and the Queen Of Lagoverde comes not nigh this place. LUI. There's not the reason that there was to come Before Octavia's death. ANS. Nay, 'tis not that. LUI. Think you that Beatrice told her? ANS. Ay, I doubt it not. LUI. 'Tis hard. They were close friends. ANS. And since that day her hand upon the scepter Trembles,--and Guido sees. She goes too much Among the people, nursing them. She loves them; Their griefs are hers, their hearts are hers, as well. But Guido has a following in this court That hangs upon his word, and he has taught them Her gentleness is weakness, and her love Faint-hearted womanish whims, till they are eager To pull her down, and see a man in place of her. LUI. Her throne is like a raft upon a sea, That shifts, and rights itself, and may go down At any moment. ANS. The more especially For all these drowning beggars that cling to it, Chattering for help. She will not strike them off. LUI. Unhappy Queen. And there's a storm approaching, If ever I smelled wind. ANS. I fear it Luigi. [Exeunt Anselmo and Luigi. Enter Guido and Francesco.] FRA. How do I know you love her still?--I know, The way you fall a-tapping with your fingers, Or plucking at your eye-brows, if her name Is spoken, or she move across the court. How do I know?--Oh, Guido, have I learned you So little, then, in all these bitter years? I know you very well. GUI. You know too much I'll have an end of this, I tell you! FRA. Ay. You've told me that before.--An end of what? What is this thing you'll put this mighty end to? 'Fore God I would I know. Could I but name it, I might have power to end it then, myself! GUI. I'll have an end of these soft words at twilight, And these bad mornings full of bile! I'll have an end Of all this spying on me! FRA. [Gently.] 'Tis not so. I do not spy upon you. But I see you Bigger than other men, and your least gesture-- A giant moving rocks.--Oh, Guido, tell me You do not love her! Even though I know You lie, I will believe you,--for I must!