DUCHESS
Being of my Lord's household, is he stranger here?
LORD JUSTICE
Ay, until seven years of service spent
He cannot be a Paduan citizen.
GUIDO
I thank thee, my Lord Justice, heartily;
I like your law.
SECOND CITIZEN
I like no law at all:
Were there no law there'd be no law-breakers,
So all men would be virtuous.
FIRST CITIZEN
So they would;
'Tis a wise saying that, and brings you far.
TIPSTAFF
Ay! to the gallows, knave.
DUCHESS
Is this the law?
LORD JUSTICE
It is the law most certainly, my liege.
DUCHESS
Show me the book: 'tis written in blood-red.
JEPPO
Look at the Duchess.
DUCHESS
Thou accursed law,
I would that I could tear thee from the state
As easy as I tear thee from this book.
[Tears out the page.]
Come here, Count Bardi: are you honourable?
Get a horse ready for me at my house,
For I must ride to Venice instantly.
BARDI
To Venice, Madam?
DUCHESS
Not a word of this,
Go, go at once. [Exit COUNT BARDI.]
A moment, my Lord Justice.
If, as thou sayest it, this is the law -
Nay, nay, I doubt not that thou sayest right,
Though right be wrong in such a case as this -
May I not by the virtue of mine office
Adjourn this court until another day?
LORD JUSTICE
Madam, you cannot stay a trial for blood.
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