MORANZONE

That night thou shalt creep into his private chamber; But if he sleep see that thou wake him first, And hold thy hand upon his throat, ay! that way, Then having told him of what blood thou art, Sprung from what father, and for what revenge, Bid him to pray for mercy; when he prays, Bid him to set a price upon his life, And when he strips himself of all his gold Tell him thou needest not gold, and hast not mercy, And do thy business straight away. Swear to me Thou wilt not kill him till I bid thee do it, Or else I go to mine own house, and leave Thee ignorant, and thy father unavenged.

GUIDO

Now by my father's sword -

MORANZONE

The common hangman Brake that in sunder in the public square.

GUIDO

Then by my father's grave -

MORANZONE

What grave? what grave?

Your n.o.ble father lieth in no grave, I saw his dust strewn on the air, his ashes Whirled through the windy streets like common straws To plague a beggar's eyesight, and his head, That gentle head, set on the prison spike, For the vile rabble in their insolence To shoot their tongues at.

GUIDO

Was it so indeed?

Then by my father's spotless memory, And by the shameful manner of his death, And by the base betrayal by his friend, For these at least remain, by these I swear I will not lay my hand upon his life Until you bid me, then--G.o.d help his soul, For he shall die as never dog died yet.

And now, the sign, what is it?

MORANZONE

This dagger, boy; It was your father's.

GUIDO

Oh, let me look at it!

I do remember now my reputed uncle, That good old husbandman I left at home, Told me a cloak wrapped round me when a babe Bare too such yellow leopards wrought in gold; I like them best in steel, as they are here, They suit my purpose better. Tell me, sir, Have you no message from my father to me?

MORANZONE

Poor boy, you never saw that n.o.ble father, For when by his false friend he had been sold, Alone of all his gentlemen I escaped To bear the news to Parma to the d.u.c.h.ess.

GUIDO

Speak to me of my mother.

MORANZONE

When thy mother Heard my black news, she fell into a swoon, And, being with untimely travail seized - Bare thee into the world before thy time, And then her soul went heavenward, to wait Thy father, at the gates of Paradise.

GUIDO

A mother dead, a father sold and bartered!

I seem to stand on some beleaguered wall, And messenger comes after messenger With a new tale of terror; give me breath, Mine ears are tired.

MORANZONE

When thy mother died, Fearing our enemies, I gave it out Thou wert dead also, and then privily Conveyed thee to an ancient servitor, Who by Perugia lived; the rest thou knowest.

GUIDO

Saw you my father afterwards?

MORANZONE

Ay! once; In mean attire, like a vineyard dresser, I stole to Rimini.

GUIDO

[taking his hand]

O generous heart!

MORANZONE

One can buy everything in Rimini, And so I bought the gaolers! when your father Heard that a man child had been born to him, His n.o.ble face lit up beneath his helm Like a great fire seen far out at sea, And taking my two hands, he bade me, Guido, To rear you worthy of him; so I have reared you To revenge his death upon the friend who sold him.

GUIDO

Thou hast done well; I for my father thank thee.

And now his name?

MORANZONE

How you remind me of him, You have each gesture that your father had.

GUIDO

The traitor's name?

MORANZONE

Thou wilt hear that anon; The Duke and other n.o.bles at the Court Are coming hither.

GUIDO

What of that? his name?

MORANZONE

Do they not seem a valiant company Of honourable, honest gentlemen?

GUIDO