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 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] 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 bloody livery?

LORD JUSTICE

[showing her the statute] Your Grace Can read the law.

DUCHESS

[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.

DUCHESS

He shall not speak, but, with gags in his mouth, Shall climb the ladder to the bloody block.

LORD JUSTICE

The law, my liege.

DUCHESS

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.

DUCHESS

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.

COUNT BARDI

Madam, I think you wrong our nobles here.

DUCHESS

I think I wrong them not.