and he might escape my
just wrath. Ah, they are so sly--these Howards--and their hearts are so
full of cunning and malice! But now they shall escape me no more; now
they are ours! How it does me good to think that! And how briskly
and lightly my heart leaps! It is as though a stream of new life were
rushing through my veins, and a new power were infused into my blood.
Oh, it was these Howards that made me sick. I shall be well again when I
know that they are in the Tower. Yes, yes, my heart leaps with joy, and
this is to be a happy and blessed day. Call the queen hither to me,
that I may once more enjoy her rosy face before I make it turn pale with
terror. Yes, let the queen come, and let her adorn herself; I want to
see her once more in the full splendor of her youth and her royalty,
before her star goes out in darkness. I will once more delight myself
with her before I make her weep. Ah, know you, Douglas, that there is no
enjoyment keener, more devilish, and more heavenly, than to see such a
person who smiles and suspects nothing, while she is already condemned;
who still adorns her head with roses, while the executioner is already
sharpening the axe that is to lay that head low; who still has hopes of
the future, and of joy and happiness, while her hour of life has already
run out; while I have already bidden her stop and descend into the
grave! So, call the queen to me; and tell her that we are in a merry
mood, and want to jest and laugh with her! Call all the ladies and lords
of our court; and have the royal saloons opened; and let them be radiant
with the brilliancy of the lights; and let us have music--loud, crashing
music--for we want at least to make this a merry day for us since it
seems as though we should have a sad and unhappy night. Yes, yes, a
merry day we will have; and after that, let come what come may! The
saloons shall resound with laughter and joyfulness; and naught but
rejoicing and fun shall be heard in the great royal saloons. And invite
also the Duke of Norfolk, my noble cousin, who shares with me my royal
coat-of-arms. Yes, invite him, that I may enjoy once more his haughty
and imposing beauty and grandeur before this august sun is extinguished
and leaves us again in night and darkness. Then invite also Wriothesley,
the high chancellor, and let him bring with him a few gallant and brave
soldiers of our body-guard. They are to be the noble duke's suite, when
he wishes to leave our feast and go h