Mortadello

OR, THE ANGEL OF VENICE 71 ALESSANDRO. Well, my friend, you’ve got it in you To the hilt this time ! [The crowd surges on the bridge. ALESSANDRO. Why, whatever’s wrong ? 1ST VOICE. My lord, The Princess murdered ! ALESSANDRO. Stuff ! 2ND VOICE. It’s true ; it’s cried abroad. ALESSANDRO. So for a pedlar’s wares ! Do you believe him ? Ass ! 1ST VOICE. No, on my soul it’s true ! I swear it by the Mass. ALESSANDRO. How do you know for sure ? I’m Thomas, want to see The prints o’ the nails, the wound i’ the side ! 2ND VOICE. It’s true, trust me ! 3RD VOICE. And if it’s true, by God, there’s not a man that quails. We’ll tear the prison down with our own finger-nails. ALESSANDRO. Oh ! wait a little ! Ask the governor ; he’s my friend. VOICES. Cut ! Shame ! your friend ! The brute ! The traitor ! ALESSANDRO. Fiddlestick’s end ! Silence, and let me call, if it’s the truth you need. 1ST VOICE. Yes, hear him, he’s her friend too ! 3RD VOICE. That’s true ! ALESSANDRO. Yes, indeed, I’d give my life to-day to succour the Princess ! 2ND VOICE. Ah, that’s a man ! VOICES. Hurrah ! ALESSANDRO. However did you guess ? Peace now ! [Calls.] Hollo ! Hollo ! is that the Governor ?