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[The d.u.c.h.eSS 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.
d.u.c.h.eSS
[rising]
I say he shall not speak: What need have we of further evidence?
Was he not taken in the house at night In Guilt's own b.l.o.o.d.y livery?
LORD JUSTICE
[showing her the statute]
Your Grace Can read the law.
d.u.c.h.eSS
[waiving book aside]
Bethink you, my Lord Justice, Is it not very like that such a one May, in the presence of the people here, Utter some slanderous word against my Lord, Against the city, or the city's honour, Perchance against myself.
LORD JUSTICE
My liege, the law.
d.u.c.h.eSS
He shall not speak, but, with gags in his mouth, Shall climb the ladder to the b.l.o.o.d.y block.
LORD JUSTICE
The law, my liege.
d.u.c.h.eSS
We are not bound by law, But with it we bind others.
MORANZONE
My Lord Justice, Thou wilt not suffer this injustice here.
LORD JUSTICE
The Court needs not thy voice, Lord Moranzone.
Madam, it were a precedent most evil To wrest the law from its appointed course, For, though the cause be just, yet anarchy Might on this licence touch these golden scales And unjust causes unjust victories gain.
COUNT BARDI
I do not think your Grace can stay the law.
d.u.c.h.eSS
Ay, it is well to preach and prate of law: Methinks, my haughty lords of Padua, If ye are hurt in pocket or estate, So much as makes your monstrous revenues Less by the value of one ferry toll, Ye do not wait the tedious law's delay With such sweet patience as ye counsel me.
