LORD JUSTICE

My liege, You cannot leave this court until the prisoner Be purged or guilty of this dread offence.

DUCHESS

Cannot, Lord Justice? By what right do you Set barriers in my path where I should go? Am I not Duchess here in Padua, And the state’s regent?

LORD JUSTICE

For that reason, Madam, Being the fountain-head of life and death Whence, like a mighty river, justice flows, Without thy presence justice is dried up And fails of purpose: thou must tarry here.

DUCHESS

What, wilt thou keep me here against my will?

LORD JUSTICE

We pray thy will be not against the law.

DUCHESS

What if I force my way out of the court?

LORD JUSTICE

Thou canst not force the Court to give thee way.

DUCHESS

I will not tarry. [Rises from her seat.]

LORD JUSTICE

Is the usher here? Let him stand forth. [Usher comes forward.] Thou knowest thy business, sir. [The Usher closes the doors of the court, which are L., and when the DUCHESS and her retinue approach, kneels down.]

USHER

In all humility I beseech your Grace Turn not my duty to discourtesy, Nor make my unwelcome office an offence.

DUCHESS

Is there no gentleman amongst you all To prick this prating fellow from our way?

MAFFIO

[drawing his sword] Ay! that will I.

LORD JUSTICE

Count Maffio, have a care, And you, sir. [To JEPPO.] The first man who draws his sword Upon the meanest officer of this Court, Dies before nightfall.

DUCHESS

Sirs, put up your swords: It is most meet that I should hear this man. [Goes back to throne.]

MORANZONE

Now hast thou got thy enemy in thy hand.

LORD JUSTICE

[taking the time-glass up] Guido Ferranti, while the crumbling sand Falls through this time-glass, thou hast leave to speak. This and no more.

GUIDO

It is enough, my lord.

LORD JUSTICE

Thou standest on the extreme verge of death; See that thou speakest nothing but the truth, Naught else will serve thee.

GUIDO

If I speak it not, Then give my body to the headsman there.

LORD JUSTICE

[turns the time-glass] Let there be silence while the prisoner speaks.

TIPSTAFF

Silence in the Court there.

GUIDO

My Lords Justices, And reverent judges of this worthy court, I hardly know where to begin my tale, So strangely dreadful is this history. First, let me tell you of what birth I am. I am the son of that good Duke Lorenzo Who was with damned treachery done to death By a most wicked villain, lately Duke Of this good town of Padua.

LORD JUSTICE

Have a care, It will avail thee nought to mock this prince Who now lies in his coffin.

MAFFIO

By Saint James, This is the Duke of Parma’s rightful heir.

JEPPO

I always thought him noble.

GUIDO

I confess That with the purport of a just revenge, A most just vengeance on a man of blood, I entered the Duke’s household, served his will, Sat at his board, drank of his wine, and was His intimate: so much I will confess, And this too, that I waited till he grew To give the fondest secrets of his life Into my keeping, till he fawned on me, And trusted me in every private matter Even as my noble father trusted him; That for this thing I waited. [To the Headsman.