Help me, Simon!
SIMON
Lay a hand on this maiden and I'll—
[He flourishes the dagger and makes at HELIOGABALUS, but by this time the centurions have recovered their heads, and are immediately upon him. RUFINIUS, from the right, also leaps to the rescue, and in two seconds SIMON is pinned from behind and his dagger is on the floor. DACIA, during all this, has screamed once or twice, but has not moved from her place. Sounds of music come from behind the hangings, and shouts of laughter—loud enough to show that the banqueters are very drunk, and do not hear the commotion in front]
HELIOGABALUS
[To SIMON] So there you are!
SIMON
[Almost incoherently] Murderer! You would send your lawful wife to the lions! Pagan! Heathen! [Rolling his eyes upward] O Lord, watch over Thy servant! O Lord, send Thy lightnings to blast this heretic!
HELIOGABALUS
Bosh! Save all that O Lord business until you need it more. It won't be long. [To RUFINIUS] Take this man to the circus, and have him chained—arm, leg and neck. There will be orders about him tomorrow morning. I'll want the iron stake and a couple of barrels of whale-oil.