The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde: 150+ Titles in One Edition. Oscar Wilde

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.

      DUCHESS

      I will not tarry then to hear this man

       Rail with rude tongue against our sacred person.

       Come, gentlemen.

      LORD JUSTICE

      My liege,

       You cannot leave this court until the prisoner

       Be purged or guilty of this dread offence.

      DUCHESS

      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?

      LORD JUSTICE

      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.

      DUCHESS

      What, wilt thou keep me here against my will?

      LORD JUSTICE

      We pray thy will be not against the law.

      DUCHESS

      What if I force my way out of the court?

      LORD JUSTICE

      Thou canst not force the Court to give thee way.

      DUCHESS

      I will not tarry. [Rises from her seat.]

      LORD JUSTICE

      Is the usher here?

       Let him stand forth. [Usher comes forward.]

       Thou knowest thy business, sir.

       [The Usher closes the doors of the court, which are L., and when the DUCHESS and her retinue approach, kneels down.]

      USHER

      In all humility I beseech your Grace

       Turn not my duty to discourtesy,

       Nor make my unwelcome office an offence.

      DUCHESS

      Is there no gentleman amongst you all

       To prick this prating fellow from our way?

      MAFFIO

      [drawing his sword]

       Ay! that will I.

      LORD JUSTICE

      Count Maffio, have a care,

       And you, sir. [To JEPPO.]

       The first man who draws his sword

       Upon the meanest officer of this Court,

       Dies before nightfall.

      DUCHESS

      Sirs, put up your swords:

       It is most meet that I should hear this man.

       [Goes back to throne.]

      MORANZONE

      Now hast thou got thy enemy in thy hand.

      LORD JUSTICE

      [taking the time-glass up]

       Guido Ferranti, while the crumbling sand

       Falls through this time-glass, thou hast leave to speak.

       This and no more.

      GUIDO

      It is enough, my lord.

      LORD JUSTICE

      Thou standest on the extreme verge of death;

       See that thou speakest nothing but the truth,

       Naught else will serve thee.

      GUIDO

      If I speak it not,

       Then give my body to the headsman there.

      LORD JUSTICE

      [turns the time-glass]

       Let there be silence while the prisoner speaks.

      TIPSTAFF

      Silence in the Court there.

      GUIDO

      My Lords Justices,

       And reverent judges of this worthy court,

       I hardly know where to begin my tale,

       So strangely dreadful is this history.

       First, let me tell you of what birth I am.

       I am the son of that good Duke Lorenzo

       Who was with damned treachery done to death

       By a most wicked villain, lately Duke

       Of this good town of Padua.

      LORD JUSTICE

      Have a care,

       It will avail thee nought to mock this prince

       СКАЧАТЬ