Sir, thou art come in time To see the murder of the Duke avenged. There stands the man who did this heinous thing. MORANZONE My lord, I ask again what proof have ye? LORD JUSTICE [_holding up the dagger_] This dagger, Which from his blood-stained hands, itself all blood, Last night the soldiers seized: what further proof Need we indeed? MORANZONE [_takes the danger and approaches the_ DUCHESS] Saw I not such a dagger Hang from your Grace’s girdle yesterday? [_The_ DUCHESS _shudders and makes no answer_.] Ah! my Lord Justice, may I speak a moment With this young man, who in such peril stands? LORD JUSTICE Ay, willingly, my lord, and may you turn him To make a full avowal of his guilt. [LORD MORANZONE _goes over to_ GUIDO, _who stands R. and clutches him by the hand_.] MORANZONE [_in a low voice_] She did it! Nay, I saw it in her eyes. Boy, dost thou think I’ll let thy father’s son Be by this woman butchered to his death? Her husband sold your father, and the wife Would sell the son in turn. GUIDO Lord Moranzone, I alone did this thing: be satisfied, My father is avenged. LORD JUSTICE Doth he confess? GUIDO My lord, I do confess That foul unnatural murder has been done. FIRST CITIZEN Why, look at that: he has a pitiful heart, and does not like murder; they will let him go for that. LORD JUSTICE Say you no more? GUIDO My lord, I say this also, That to spill human blood is deadly sin. SECOND CITIZEN Marry, he should tell that to the headsman: ’tis a good sentiment. GUIDO Lastly, my lord, I do entreat the Court To give me leave to utter openly The dreadful secret of this mystery, And to point out the very guilty one Who with this dagger last night slew the Duke. LORD JUSTICE Thou hast leave to speak. DUCHESS [_rising_] I say he shall not speak: What need have we of further evidence? Was he not taken in the house at night In Guilt’s own bloody livery? LORD JUSTICE [_showing her the statute_] Your Grace Can read the law. DUCHESS [_waiving book aside_] Bethink you, my Lord Justice, Is it not very like that such a one May, in the presence of the people here, Utter some slanderous word against my Lord, Against the city, or the city’s honour, Perchance against myself. LORD JUSTICE My liege, the law. DUCHESS He shall not speak, but, with gags in his mouth, Shall climb the ladder to the bloody block. LORD JUSTICE The law, my liege. DUCHESS We are not bound by law, But with it we bind others. MORANZONE My Lord Justice, Thou wilt not suffer this injustice here. LORD JUSTICE