[In great confusion] Your Majesty, I assure you—
HELIOGABALUS
Silence! I don't want to hear any lies from you. So you have taken to the jug again—after all your promises? While I am hard at work, engaged in the administration of justice—labouring at affairs of state—you loll out here in the atrium in your cups!
RUFINIUS
[At a loss] Your Majesty, I—
HELIOGABALUS
I have ordered you not to lie! If you tell me that it evaporated—in four minutes—to the galleys! If you say you gave it to a blind beggar—to the boa constrictors! If you say thieves broke in and stole it—I'll burn you like a—like a Christian!
RUFINIUS
[Eager to shield the Empress, he takes the blame. He falls to his knees] Majesty! I ask forgiveness!
HELIOGABALUS