He caught her masterfully in his arms.
'This is a golden world, and thou a golden Queen,' he said.
She held her head back from his lips, and struggled from him.
'I may not find any straightness here. I can see no clear way. Let me
go.'
He took her again to him, and again she tore herself free.
'Listen to me,' she cried, 'listen to me! There have been broadsides
printed against the truth of my body; there have been witnesses
prepared against me. I will have you swear that you will read of these
broadsides, and consider of these witnesses.'
'Before God,' he said, 'I will hang the printers, and slay the
witnesses with my fist. I know how these things be made.' He shook his
fist. 'I love thee so that were they true, and wert thou the woman of
Sodom, I would have thee to my Queen!'