'Never! I have but one wife. Our marriage is irrevocable. The dishonoured man is the everlasting outcast. What are earthly possessions to me, if within myself shame faces me? Let all go. Though I have lost Camilla, I will be worthy of her. Not a pen no pen; it is the sword that I must write with. Strike, O count! I am here: I stand alone. By the edge of this sword, I swear that never deed of mine shall rob Camilla of her heritage; though I die the death, she shall not weep for a craven!' The multitude break away from Camilla--veiled no more, but radiant; fresh as a star that issues through corrupting vapours, and with her voice at a starry pitch in its clear ascendency: 'Tear up the insufferable scroll!-- O thou, my lover and my soul! It is the Sword that reunites; The Pen that our perdition writes.' She is folded in her husband's arms. Michiella fronts them, horrid of aspect:-- 'Accurst divorced one! dost thou dare To lie in shameless fondness there? Abandoned! on thy lying brow Thy name shall be imprinted now.' Camilla parts from her husband's embrace: 'My name is one I do not fear; 'Tis one that thou wouldst shrink to hear. Go, cool thy penitential fires, Thou creature, foul with base desires!' CAMILLO (facing Count Orso). 'The choice is thine!' COUNT ORSO (draws). 'The choice is made!' CHORUS (narrowing its circle). 'Familiar is that naked blade. Of others, of himself, the fate How swift 'tis Provocation's mate!' MICHIELLA (torn with jealous rage). 'Yea; I could smite her on the face. Father, first read the thing's disgrace. I grudge them, honourable death. Put poison in their latest breath!' ORSO (his left arm extended). 'You twain are sundered: hear with awe The judgement of the Source of Law.' CAMILLA (smiling confidently). 'Not such, when I was at the Source, It said to me;--but take thy course.' ORSO (astounded). 'Thither thy steps were bent?' MICHIELLA (spurning verbal controversy). 'She feigns! A thousand swords are in my veins. Friends! soldiers I strike them down, the pair!' CAMILLO (on guard, clasping his wife). ''Tis well! I cry, to all we share. Yea, life or death, 'tis well! 'tis well!' MICHIELLA (stamps her foot). 'My heart 's a vessel tossed on hell!' LEONARDO (aside).