That is a good thing for Padua; the Duchess is a very kind and merciful Duchess; why, she cured my child of the ague once.
THIRD CITIZEN
Ay, and has given us bread: do not forget the bread.
A SOLDIER
Stand back, good people.
SECOND CITIZEN
If we be good, why should we stand back?
TIPSTAFF
Silence in the Court!
LORD JUSTICE
May it please your Grace,
Is it your pleasure we proceed to trial
Of the Duke’s murder? [DUCHESS bows.]
Set the prisoner forth.
What is thy name?
GUIDO
It matters not, my lord.
LORD JUSTICE
Guido Ferranti is thy name in Padua.
GUIDO
A man may die as well under that name as any other.
LORD JUSTICE
Thou art not ignorant
What dreadful charge men lay against thee here,
Namely, the treacherous murder of thy Lord,
Simone Gesso, Duke of Padua;
What dost thou say in answer?
GUIDO
I say nothing.
LORD JUSTICE
[rising]
Guido Ferranti -
MORANZONE
[stepping from the crowd]
Tarry, my Lord Justice.
LORD JUSTICE
Who art thou that bid’st justice tarry, sir?
MORANZONE
So be it justice it can go its way;
But if it be not justice -
LORD JUSTICE
Who is this?
COUNT BARDI
A very noble gentleman, and well known
To the late Duke.
LORD JUSTICE
Sir, thou art come in time
To see the murder of the Duke avenged.
There stands the man who did this heinous thing.
MORANZONE
My lord,
I ask again what proof have ye?
LORD JUSTICE
[holding up the dagger]
This dagger,
Which from his bloodstained hands, itself all blood,
Last night the soldiers seized: what further proof
Need we indeed?
MORANZONE
[takes the danger and approaches the DUCHESS]
Saw I not such a dagger
Hang from your Grace’s girdle yesterday?
[The DUCHESS shudders and makes no answer.]
Ah! my Lord Justice, may I speak a moment
With this young man, who in such peril stands?
LORD JUSTICE
Ay, willingly, my lord, and may you turn him
To make a full avowal of his guilt.
[LORD MORANZONE goes over to GUIDO, who stands R. and clutches him by the hand.]
MORANZONE
[in a low voice]
She did it! Nay, I saw it in her eyes.
Boy, dost thou think I’ll let thy father’s son
Be by this woman butchered to his death?
Her husband sold your father, and the wife
Would sell the son in turn.
GUIDO
Lord Moranzone,
I alone did this thing: be satisfied,
My father is avenged.
LORD JUSTICE
Doth he confess?
GUIDO
My lord, I do confess
That foul unnatural murder has been done.
FIRST CITIZEN
Why, look at that: he has a pitiful heart, and does not like murder; they will let him go for that.
LORD JUSTICE
Say you no more?
GUIDO
My lord, I say this also,
That to spill human blood is deadly sin.
SECOND CITIZEN
Marry, he should tell that to the headsman: ‘tis a good sentiment.
GUIDO
Lastly, my lord, I do entreat the Court
To give me leave to utter openly
The dreadful secret of this mystery,
And to point out the very guilty one
Who with this dagger last night slew the Duke.
LORD JUSTICE
Thou hast leave to speak.
DUCHESS [rising]
