LORD JUSTICE
We pray thy will be not against the law.
d.u.c.h.eSS
What if I force my way out of the court?
LORD JUSTICE
Thou canst not force the Court to give thee way.
d.u.c.h.eSS
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 d.u.c.h.eSS 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.
d.u.c.h.eSS
Is there no gentleman amongst you all To p.r.i.c.k 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.
d.u.c.h.eSS
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-gla.s.s up]
Guido Ferranti, while the crumbling sand Falls through this time-gla.s.s, 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-gla.s.s]
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 d.a.m.ned 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 n.o.ble.
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 n.o.ble father trusted him; That for this thing I waited.
[To the Headsman.] Thou man of blood!
Turn not thine axe on me before the time: Who knows if it be time for me to die?