DUCHESS

I would, old Cardinal, I could burn that hand; But it will burn hereafter.

CARDINAL

Nay, the Church Ordains us to forgive our enemies.

DUCHESS

Forgiveness? what is that? I never got it. They come at last: well, my Lord Justice, well. [Enter the LORD JUSTICE.]

LORD JUSTICE

Most gracious Lady, and our sovereign Liege, We have long pondered on the point at issue, And much considered of your Grace’s wisdom, And never wisdom spake from fairer lips -

DUCHESS

Proceed, sir, without compliment.

LORD JUSTICE

We find, As your own Grace did rightly signify, That any citizen, who by force or craft Conspires against the person of the Liege, Is ipso facto outlaw, void of rights Such as pertain to other citizens, Is traitor, and a public enemy, Who may by any casual sword be slain Without the slayer’s danger; nay, if brought Into the presence of the tribunal, Must with dumb lips and silence reverent Listen unto his well-deserved doom, Nor has the privilege of open speech.

DUCHESS

I thank thee, my Lord Justice, heartily; I like your law: and now I pray dispatch This public outlaw to his righteous doom; What is there more?

LORD JUSTICE

Ay, there is more, your Grace. This man being alien born, not Paduan, Nor by allegiance bound unto the Duke, Save such as common nature doth lay down, Hath, though accused of treasons manifold, Whose slightest penalty is certain death, Yet still the right of public utterance Before the people and the open court; Nay, shall be much entreated by the Court, To make some formal pleading for his life, Lest his own city, righteously incensed, Should with an unjust trial tax our state, And wars spring up against the commonwealth: So merciful are the laws of Padua Unto the stranger living in her gates.

DUCHESS

Being of my Lord’s household, is he stranger here?

LORD JUSTICE

Ay, until seven years of service spent He cannot be a Paduan citizen.

GUIDO

I thank thee, my Lord Justice, heartily; I like your law.

SECOND CITIZEN

I like no law at all: Were there no law there’d be no law-breakers, So all men would be virtuous.

FIRST CITIZEN

So they would; ’Tis a wise saying that, and brings you far.

TIPSTAFF

Ay! to the gallows, knave.

DUCHESS

Is this the law?

LORD JUSTICE

It is the law most certainly, my liege.

DUCHESS

Show me the book: ’tis written in blood-red.

JEPPO

Look at the Duchess.

DUCHESS

Thou accursed law, I would that I could tear thee from the state As easy as I tear thee from this book. [Tears out the page.] Come here, Count Bardi: are you honourable? Get a horse ready for me at my house, For I must ride to Venice instantly.

BARDI

To Venice, Madam?

DUCHESS

Not a word of this, Go, go at once. [Exit COUNT BARDI.] A moment, my Lord Justice. If, as thou sayest it, this is the law - Nay, nay, I doubt not that thou sayest right, Though right be wrong in such a case as this - May I not by the virtue of mine office Adjourn this court until another day?

LORD JUSTICE

Madam, you cannot stay a trial for blood.

DUCHESS

I will not tarry then to hear this man Rail with rude tongue against our sacred person. Come, gentlemen.