I thank thee, my Lord Justice, heartily; I like your law: and now I pray dispatch This public outlaw to his righteous doom; What is there more?
Ay, there is more, your Grace. This man being alien born, not Paduan, Nor by allegiance bound unto the Duke, Save such as common nature doth lay down, Hath, though accused of treasons manifold, Whose slightest penalty is certain death, Yet still the right of public utterance Before the people and the open court; Nay, shall be much entreated by the Court, To make some formal pleading for his life, Lest his own city, righteously incensed, Should with an unjust trial tax our state, And wars spring up against the commonwealth: So merciful are the laws of Padua Unto the stranger living in her gates.
Being of my Lord’s household, is he stranger here?
Ay, until seven years of service spent He cannot be a Paduan citizen.
I thank thee, my Lord Justice, heartily; I like your law.
I like no law at all: Were there no law there’d be no law-breakers, So all men would be virtuous.
So they would; ’Tis a wise saying that, and brings you far.
Show me the book: ’tis written in blood-red.
Thou accursed law, I would that I could tear thee from the state As easy as I tear thee from this book.
Come here, Count Bardi: are you honourable? Get a horse ready for me at my house, For I must ride to Venice instantly.
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?
Madam, you cannot stay a trial for blood.
I will not tarry then to hear this man Rail with rude tongue against our sacred person. Come, gentlemen.
My liege, You cannot leave this court until the prisoner Be purged or guilty of this dread offence.
Cannot, Lord Justice? By what right do you Set barriers in my path where I should go? Am I not Duchess here in Padua, And the state’s regent?
For that reason, Madam, Being the fountain-head of life and death Whence, like a mighty river, justice flows, Without thy presence justice is dried up And fails of purpose: thou must tarry here.