The Duchess of Padua Part 5

[to him]

Dost thou mark his words?

GUIDO

Oh, be thou sure I do.

DUKE

And be not over-scrupulous; clean hands With nothing in them make a sorry show.

If you would have the lion's share of life You must wear the fox's skin. Oh, it will fit you; It is a coat which fitteth every man.

GUIDO

Your Grace, I shall remember.

DUKE

That is well, boy, well.

I would not have about me shallow fools, Who with mean scruples weigh the gold of life, And faltering, paltering, end by failure; failure, The only crime which I have not committed: I would have MEN about me. As for conscience, Conscience is but the name which cowardice Fleeing from battle scrawls upon its shield.

You understand me, boy?

GUIDO

I do, your Grace, And will in all things carry out the creed Which you have taught me.

MAFFIO

I never heard your Grace So much in the vein for preaching; let the Cardinal Look to his laurels, sir.

DUKE

The Cardinal!

Men follow my creed, and they gabble his.

I do not think much of the Cardinal; Although he is a holy churchman, and I quite admit his dulness. Well, sir, from now We count you of our household [He holds out his hand for GUIDO to kiss. GUIDO starts back in horror, but at a gesture from COUNT MORANZONE, kneels and kisses it.]

We will see That you are furnished with such equipage As doth befit your honour and our state.

GUIDO

I thank your Grace most heartily.

DUKE

Tell me again What is your name?

GUIDO

Guido Ferranti, sir.

DUKE

And you are Mantuan? Look to your wives, my lords, When such a gallant comes to Padua.

Thou dost well to laugh, Count Bardi; I have noted How merry is that husband by whose hearth Sits an uncomely wife.

MAFFIO

May it please your Grace, The wives of Padua are above suspicion.

DUKE

What, are they so ill-favoured! Let us go, This Cardinal detains our pious d.u.c.h.ess; His sermon and his beard want cutting both: Will you come with us, sir, and hear a text From holy Jerome?

MORANZONE

[bowing]

My liege, there are some matters -

DUKE

[interrupting]

Thou need'st make no excuse for missing ma.s.s.

Come, gentlemen.

[Exit with his suite into Cathedral.]

GUIDO

[after a pause]

So the Duke sold my father; I kissed his hand.

MORANZONE

Thou shalt do that many times.

GUIDO

Must it be so?

MORANZONE

Ay! thou hast sworn an oath.

GUIDO

That oath shall make me marble.

MORANZONE

Farewell, boy, Thou wilt not see me till the time is ripe.