The Duchess of Padua Part 29

d.u.c.h.eSS

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Is this the law?

LORD JUSTICE

It is the law most certainly, my liege.

d.u.c.h.eSS

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

JEPPO

Look at the d.u.c.h.ess.

d.u.c.h.eSS

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?

d.u.c.h.eSS

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Cannot, Lord Justice? By what right do you Set barriers in my path where I should go?

Am I not d.u.c.h.ess 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.

d.u.c.h.eSS

What, wilt thou keep me here against my will?