The Duchess of Padua Part 25

[Enter the d.u.c.h.eSS in black velvet; her train of flowered black velvet is carried by two pages in violet; with her is the CARDINAL in scarlet, and the gentlemen of the Court in black; she takes her seat on the throne above the Judges, who rise and take their caps off as she enters; the CARDINAL sits next to her a little lower; the Courtiers group themselves about the throne.]

SECOND CITIZEN

O poor lady, how pale she is! Will she sit there?

FIRST CITIZEN

Ay! she is in the Duke's place now.

SECOND CITIZEN

That is a good thing for Padua; the d.u.c.h.ess is a very kind and merciful d.u.c.h.ess; 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? [d.u.c.h.eSS 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 n.o.ble 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 blood-stained hands, itself all blood, Last night the soldiers seized: what further proof Need we indeed?

MORANZONE

[takes the danger and approaches the d.u.c.h.eSS]

Saw I not such a dagger Hang from your Grace's girdle yesterday?