Surely my ears are traitors, speak again: It cannot be but age has dulled my powers, I am an old man now: what did you say? You said that with that dagger in your belt You would avenge your father’s bloody murder; Did you not say that? GUIDO No, my lord, I said I was resolved not to kill the Duke. MORANZONE You said not that; it is my senses mock me; Or else this midnight air o’ercharged with storm Alters your message in the giving it. GUIDO Nay, you heard rightly; I’ll not kill this man. MORANZONE What of thine oath, thou traitor, what of thine oath? GUIDO I am resolved not to keep that oath. MORANZONE What of thy murdered father? GUIDO Dost thou think My father would be glad to see me coming, This old man’s blood still hot upon mine hands? MORANZONE Ay! he would laugh for joy. GUIDO I do not think so, There is better knowledge in the other world; Vengeance is God’s, let God himself revenge. MORANZONE Thou art God’s minister of vengeance. GUIDO No! God hath no minister but his own hand. I will not kill this man. MORANZONE Why are you here, If not to kill him, then? GUIDO Lord Moranzone, I purpose to ascend to the Duke’s chamber, And as he lies asleep lay on his breast The dagger and this writing; when he awakes Then he will know who held him in his power And slew him not: this is the noblest vengeance Which I can take. MORANZONE You will not slay him? GUIDO No. MORANZONE Ignoble son of a noble father, Who sufferest this man who sold that father To live an hour. GUIDO ’Twas thou that hindered me; I would have killed him in the open square, The day I saw him first. MORANZONE It was not yet time; Now it is time, and, like some green-faced girl, Thou pratest of forgiveness. GUIDO No! revenge: The right revenge my father’s son should take. MORANZONE You are a coward, Take out the knife, get to the Duke’s chamber, And bring me back his heart upon the blade. When he is dead, then you can talk to me Of noble vengeances. GUIDO Upon thine honour, And by the love thou bearest my father’s name, Dost thou think my father, that great gentleman, That generous soldier, that most chivalrous lord, Would have crept at night-time, like a common thief, And stabbed an old man sleeping in his bed, However he had wronged him: tell me that. MORANZONE [after some hesitation] You have sworn an oath, see that you keep that oath. Boy, do you think I do not know your secret, Your traffic with the Duchess? GUIDO Silence, liar! The very moon in heaven is not more chaste. Nor the white stars so pure. MORANZONE And yet, you love her; Weak fool, to let love in upon your life, Save as a plaything. GUIDO