Another word against them!’ [The crowd already says this, repeatedly, with great emphasis.] Take the Dialogues Of Plato, for example. You will find A spirit far more truly Christian In them than in the ravings of the sour-soul’d Savonarola. [Prolonged cries of ‘Death to the Sour-Souled Savonarola!’ Several cobblers detach themselves from the crowd and rush away to read the Platonic Dialogues. Enter SAVONAROLA. The crowd, as he makes his way through it, gives up all further control of its feelings, and makes a noise for which even the best zoologists might not find a good comparison. The staves and bill-hooks wave like twigs in a storm. One would say that SAV. must have died a thousand deaths already. He is, however, unharmed and unruffled as he reaches the upper step of the Loggia. LOR. meanwhile has rejoined COS. in the Piazza.] SAV. Pax vobiscum, brothers! [This does but exacerbate the crowd’s frenzy.] VOICE OF A COBBLER Hear his false lips cry Peace when there is no Peace! SAV. Are not you ashamed, O Florentines, [Renewed yells, but also some symptoms of manly shame.] That hearken’d to Lorenzo and now reel Inebriate with the exuberance Of his verbosity? [The crowd makes an obvious effort to pull itself together.] A man can fool Some of the people all the time, and can Fool all the people sometimes, but he cannot Fool ALL the people ALL the time. [Loud cheers. Several cobblers clap one another on the back. Cries of ‘Death to Lorenzo!’ The meeting is now well in hand.] To-day I must adopt a somewhat novel course In dealing with the awful wickedness At present noticeable in this city. I do so with reluctance. Hitherto I have avoided personalities. But now my sense of duty forces me To a departure from my custom of Naming no names. One name I must and shall Name. [All eyes are turned on LOR., who smiles uncomfortably.] No, I do not mean Lorenzo. He Is ‘neath contempt. [Loud and prolonged laughter, accompanied with hideous grimaces at LOR. Exeunt LOR. and COS.] I name a woman’s name, [The women in the crowd eye one another suspiciously.] A name known to you all--four-syllabled, Beginning with an L. [Pause. Enter hurriedly LUC., carrying the ring. She stands, unobserved by any one, on outskirt of crowd. SAV. utters the name:] Lucrezia!