And be not over-scrupulous; clean hands With nothing in them make a sorry show. If you would have the lion’s share of life You must wear the fox’s skin. Oh, it will fit you; It is a coat which fitteth every man. GUIDO Your Grace, I shall remember. DUKE That is well, boy, well. I would not have about me shallow fools, Who with mean scruples weigh the gold of life, And faltering, paltering, end by failure; failure, The only crime which I have not committed: I would have _men_ about me. As for conscience, Conscience is but the name which cowardice Fleeing from battle scrawls upon its shield. You understand me, boy? GUIDO I do, your Grace, And will in all things carry out the creed Which you have taught me. MAFFIO I never heard your Grace So much in the vein for preaching; let the Cardinal Look to his laurels, sir. DUKE The Cardinal! Men follow my creed, and they gabble his. I do not think much of the Cardinal; Although he is a holy churchman, and I quite admit his dulness. Well, sir, from now We count you of our household [_He holds out his hand for_ GUIDO _to kiss_. GUIDO _starts back in horror_, _but at a gesture from_ COUNT MORANZONE, _kneels and kisses it_.] We will see That you are furnished with such equipage As doth befit your honour and our state. GUIDO I thank your Grace most heartily. DUKE Tell me again What is your name? GUIDO Guido Ferranti, sir. DUKE And you are Mantuan? Look to your wives, my lords, When such a gallant comes to Padua. Thou dost well to laugh, Count Bardi; I have noted How merry is that husband by whose hearth Sits an uncomely wife. MAFFIO May it please your Grace, The wives of Padua are above suspicion. DUKE What, are they so ill-favoured! Let us go, This Cardinal detains our pious Duchess; His sermon and his beard want cutting both: Will you come with us, sir, and hear a text From holy Jerome? MORANZONE [_bowing_] My liege, there are some matters— DUKE [_interrupting_] Thou need’st make no excuse for missing mass. Come, gentlemen. [_Exit with his suite into Cathedral_.] GUIDO [_after a pause_] So the Duke sold my father; I kissed his hand. MORANZONE Thou shalt do that many times. GUIDO Must it be so? MORANZONE Ay! thou hast sworn an oath. GUIDO That oath shall make me marble. MORANZONE Farewell, boy, Thou wilt not see me till the time is ripe. GUIDO I pray thou comest quickly. MORANZONE I will come When it is time; be ready. GUIDO Fear me not. MORANZONE Here is your friend; see that you banish him Both from your heart and Padua. GUIDO From Padua, Not from my heart. MORANZONE Nay, from thy heart as well, I will not leave thee till I see thee do it. GUIDO Can I have no friend? MORANZONE