I tell you, neighbour Dominick, I have not known such a day since the last Duke died.
FIRST CITIZEN
They will try him first, and sentence him afterwards, will they not, neighbour Anthony?
SECOND CITIZEN
Nay, for he might ‘scape his punishment then; but they will condemn him first so that he gets his deserts, and give him trial afterwards so that no injustice is done.
FIRST CITIZEN
Well, well, it will go hard with him I doubt not.
SECOND CITIZEN
Surely it is a grievous thing to shed a Duke’s blood.
THIRD CITIZEN
They say a Duke has blue blood.
SECOND CITIZEN
I think our Duke’s blood was black like his soul.
FIRST CITIZEN
Have a watch, neighbour Anthony, the officer is looking at thee.
SECOND CITIZEN
I care not if he does but look at me; he cannot whip me with the lashes of his eye.
THIRD CITIZEN
What think you of this young man who stuck the knife into the Duke?
SECOND CITIZEN
Why, that he is a well-behaved, and a well-meaning, and a well-favoured lad, and yet wicked in that he killed the Duke.
THIRD CITIZEN
‘Twas the first time he did it: may be the law will not be hard on him, as he did not do it before.
SECOND CITIZEN
True.
TIPSTAFF
Silence, knave.
SECOND CITIZEN
Am I thy looking-glass, Master Tipstaff, that thou callest me knave?
FIRST CITIZEN
Here be one of the household coming. Well, Dame Lucy, thou art of the Court, how does thy poor mistress the Duchess, with her sweet face?
MISTRESS LUCY
O well-a-day! O miserable day! O day! O misery! Why it is just nineteen years last June, at Michaelmas, since I was married to my husband, and it is August now, and here is the Duke murdered; there is a coincidence for you!
SECOND CITIZEN
Why, if it is a coincidence, they may not kill the young man: there is no law against coincidences.
FIRST CITIZEN
But how does the Duchess?
MISTRESS LUCY
Well well, I knew some harm would happen to the house: six weeks ago the cakes were all burned on one side, and last Saint Martin even as ever was, there flew into the candle a big moth that had wings, and a’most scared me.
FIRST CITIZEN
But come to the Duchess, good gossip: what of her?
MISTRESS LUCY
Marry, it is time you should ask after her, poor lady; she is distraught almost. Why, she has not slept, but paced the chamber all night long. I prayed her to have a posset, or some aqua-vitae, and to get to bed and sleep a little for her health’s sake, but she answered me she was afraid she might dream. That was a strange answer, was it not?
SECOND CITIZEN
These great folk have not much sense, so Providence makes it up to them in fine clothes.
MISTRESS LUCY
Well, well, God keep murder from us, I say, as long as we are alive.
[Enter LORD MORANZONE hurriedly.]
MORANZONE
Is the Duke dead?
SECOND CITIZEN
He has a knife in his heart, which they say is not healthy for any man.
MORANZONE
Who is accused of having killed him?
SECOND CITIZEN
Why, the prisoner, sir.
MORANZONE
But who is the prisoner?
SECOND CITIZEN
Why, he that is accused of the Duke’s murder.
MORANZONE
I mean, what is his name?
SECOND CITIZEN
Faith, the same which his godfathers gave him: what else should it be?
TIPSTAFF
Guido Ferranti is his name, my lord.
MORANZONE
I almost knew thine answer ere you gave it.
[Aside.]
Yet it is strange he should have killed the Duke,
Seeing he left me in such different mood.
It is most likely when he saw the man,
This devil who had sold his father’s life,
That passion from their seat within his heart
Thrust all his boyish theories of love,
And in their place set vengeance; yet I marvel
That he escaped not.
[Turning again to the crowd.]
How was he taken? Tell me.
THIRD CITIZEN
Marry, sir, he was taken by the heels.
MORANZONE
But who seized him?
THIRD CITIZEN
Why, those that did lay hold of him.
MORANZONE
How was the alarm given?
THIRD CITIZEN
That I cannot tell you, sir.
MISTRESS
