[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.] Thou man of blood!
Turn not thine axe on me before the time:
Who knows if it be time for me to die?
Is there no other neck in court but mine?
LORD JUSTICE
The sand within the time-glass flows apace.
Come quickly to the murder of the Duke.
GUIDO
I will be brief: Last night at twelve o' the clock, By a strong rope I scaled the palace wall, With purport to revenge my father's murder - Ay! with that purport I confess, my lord.
This much I will acknowledge, and this also, That as with stealthy feet I climbed the stair Which led unto the chamber of the Duke, And reached my hand out for the scarlet cloth Which shook and shivered in the gusty door, Lo! the white moon that sailed in the great heaven Flooded with silver light the darkened room, Night lit her candles for me, and I saw The man I hated, cursing in his sleep;
And thinking of a most dear father murdered, Sold to the scaffold, bartered to the block, I smote the treacherous villain to the heart With this same dagger, which by chance I found Within the chamber.
DUCHESS
[rising from her seat]
Oh!
GUIDO
[hurriedly]
I killed the Duke.
Now, my Lord Justice, if I may crave a boon, Suffer me not to see another sun Light up the misery of this loathsome world.
LORD JUSTICE
Thy boon is granted, thou shalt die to-night.
Lead him away. Come, Madam [GUIDO is led off; as he goes the DUCHESS stretches out her arms and rushes down the stage.]
DUCHESS
Guido! Guido!
[Faints.]
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