MOOR. Now I'll let you into a secret, my boys; 'twas I that cooked this soup, but the devil a spoonful do they give me. Well, I care not. This hubbub is just to my taste. We'll set about burning and plundering. While they are squabbling for a dukedom we'll make a bonfire in the churches that shall warm the frozen apostles. (They disperse themselves among the neighboring houses.) SCENE VIII. BOURGOGNINO--BERTHA, disguised as a boy. BOURGOGNINO. Rest here, dear youth; thou art in safety. Dost thou bleed? BERTHA (in a feigned voice). No; not at all. BOURGOGNINO (with energy). Rise, then, I'll lead thee where thou mayst gain wounds for Genoa--wounds beautiful like these. (Uncovering his arm.) BERTHA (starting). Heavens! BOURGOGNINO. Art thou frightened, youth? Too early didst thou put on the man. What age hast thou? BERTHA. Fifteen years. BOURGOGNINO. That is unfortunate! For this night's business thou art five years too young. Who is thy father? BERTHA. The truest citizen in Genoa. BOURGOGNINO. Gently, boy! That name belongs alone to the father of my betrothed bride. Dost thou know the house of Verrina? BERTHA. I should think so. BOURGOGNINO (eagerly). And knowest thou his lovely daughter? BERTHA. Her name is Bertha. BOURGOGNINO. Go, quickly! Carry her this ring. Say it shall be our wedding-ring; and tell her the blue crest fights bravely. Now farewell! I must hasten yonder. The danger is not yet over. (Some houses are seen on fire.) BERTHA (in a soft voice). Scipio! BOURGOGNINO (struck with astonishment). By my sword! I know that voice. BERTHA (falling upon his neck). By my heart! I am well known here. BOURGOGNINO. Bertha! (Alarm-bells sound in the suburbs--a tumult-- BOURGOGNINO and BERTHA embrace, and are lost in the crowd.) [NOTE] [NOTE] In lieu of this scene Schiller substituted the following, during his stay at Leipzig in 1786, for the use of the theatre there:-- A subterranean vault, lighted by a single lamp. The background remains quite dark. BERTHA is discovered sitting on a stone in the foreground; a black veil covers her face. After a pause she rises and walks to and fro.