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.
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