]
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.
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