The Duchess of Padua Part 10

FIRST CITIZEN

Dominick, sir.

DUKE

A good name! Why were you called Dominick?

FIRST CITIZEN

[scratching his head]

Marry, because I was born on St. George's day.

DUKE

A good reason! here is a ducat for you!

Will you not cry for me G.o.d save the Duke?

FIRST CITIZEN

[feebly]

G.o.d save the Duke.

DUKE

Nay! louder, fellow, louder.

FIRST CITIZEN

[a little louder]

G.o.d save the Duke!

DUKE

More l.u.s.tily, fellow, put more heart in it!

Here is another ducat for you.

FIRST CITIZEN

[enthusiastically]

G.o.d save the Duke!

DUKE

[mockingly]

Why, gentlemen, this simple fellow's love Touches me much. [To the Citizen, harshly.]

Go! [Exit Citizen, bowing.]

This is the way, my lords, You can buy popularity nowadays.

Oh, we are nothing if not democratic!

[To the d.u.c.h.eSS.]

Well, Madam, You spread rebellion 'midst our citizens.

d.u.c.h.eSS

My Lord, the poor have rights you cannot touch, The right to pity, and the right to mercy.

DUKE

So, so, you argue with me? This is she, The gentle d.u.c.h.ess for whose hand I yielded Three of the fairest towns in Italy, Pisa, and Genoa, and Orvieto.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Promised, my Lord, not yielded: in that matter Brake you your word as ever.

DUKE

You wrong us, Madam, There were state reasons.

d.u.c.h.eSS

What state reasons are there For breaking holy promises to a state?

DUKE

There are wild boars at Pisa in a forest Close to the city: when I promised Pisa Unto your n.o.ble and most trusting father, I had forgotten there was hunting there.

At Genoa they say, Indeed I doubt them not, that the red mullet Runs larger in the harbour of that town Than anywhere in Italy.

[Turning to one of the Court.]

You, my lord, Whose gluttonous appet.i.te is your only G.o.d, Could satisfy our d.u.c.h.ess on that point.

d.u.c.h.eSS

And Orvieto?

DUKE

[yawning]

I cannot now recall Why I did not surrender Orvieto According to the word of my contract.

Maybe it was because I did not choose.

[Goes over to the d.u.c.h.eSS.]

Why look you, Madam, you are here alone; 'Tis many a dusty league to your grey France, And even there your father barely keeps A hundred ragged squires for his Court.

What hope have you, I say? Which of these lords And n.o.ble gentlemen of Padua Stands by your side.

d.u.c.h.eSS

There is not one.

[GUIDO starts, but restrains himself.]

DUKE