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.
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