_The Court of Justice_: _the walls are hung with stamped grey velvet_: _above the hangings the wall is red_, _and gilt symbolical figures bear up the roof_, _which is made of red beams with grey soffits and moulding_: _a canopy of white satin flowered with gold is set for the Duchess_: _below it a long bench with red cloth for the Judges_: _below that a table for the clerks of the court. Two soldiers stand on each side of the canopy_, _and two soldiers guard the door_; _the citizens have some of them collected in the Court_; _others are coming in greeting one another_; _two tipstaffs in violet keep order with long white wands_. FIRST CITIZEN Good morrow, neighbour Anthony. SECOND CITIZEN Good morrow, neighbour Dominick. FIRST CITIZEN This is a strange day for Padua, is it not?—the Duke being dead. SECOND CITIZEN I tell you, neighbour Dominick, I have not known such a day since the last Duke died. FIRST CITIZEN They will try him first, and sentence him afterwards, will they not, neighbour Anthony? SECOND CITIZEN Nay, for he might ’scape his punishment then; but they will condemn him first so that he gets his deserts, and give him trial afterwards so that no injustice is done. FIRST CITIZEN Well, well, it will go hard with him I doubt not. SECOND CITIZEN Surely it is a grievous thing to shed a Duke’s blood. THIRD CITIZEN They say a Duke has blue blood. SECOND CITIZEN I think our Duke’s blood was black like his soul. FIRST CITIZEN Have a watch, neighbour Anthony, the officer is looking at thee. SECOND CITIZEN I care not if he does but look at me; he cannot whip me with the lashes of his eye. THIRD CITIZEN What think you of this young man who stuck the knife into the Duke? SECOND CITIZEN Why, that he is a well-behaved, and a well-meaning, and a well-favoured lad, and yet wicked in that he killed the Duke. THIRD CITIZEN ’Twas the first time he did it: may be the law will not be hard on him, as he did not do it before. SECOND CITIZEN True. TIPSTAFF Silence, knave. SECOND CITIZEN Am I thy looking-glass, Master Tipstaff, that thou callest me knave? FIRST CITIZEN Here be one of the household coming. Well, Dame Lucy, thou art of the Court, how does thy poor mistress the Duchess, with her sweet face? MISTRESS LUCY O well-a-day! O miserable day! O day! O misery! Why it is just nineteen years last June, at Michaelmas, since I was married to my husband, and it is August now, and here is the Duke murdered; there is a coincidence for you! SECOND CITIZEN Why, if it is a coincidence, they may not kill the young man: there is no law against coincidences. FIRST CITIZEN But how does the Duchess? MISTRESS LUCY