72 
MORTADELLO 
 
Come, prick the imposthume Rumour !  These blessed 
heathen roar, 
And all the people doth imagine a vain thing, 
As David went so far one morning as to sing. 
They think your cloistered lily withered up or plucked ! 
Come out, although you stream like the new aqueduct ! 
 
 
 
[THE GOVERNOR appears at the window. 
GOVERNOR.  Ah, Sandro !  what is this ?  I did not hear you 
call. 
I was with the Princess, conversing in the hall. 
ALESSANDRO.  There !  you hear that ? 
GOVERNOR. 
What’s wrong ? 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
These people think she’s dead. 
GOVERNOR.  She’s just as well as you or I ! 
2ND VOICE. 
 
Why’s he so red ? 
4TH VOICE.  Is it a man or a lobster ? 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
Hold your tongue, you ass ! 
2ND VOICE.  He’s lying. 
1ST VOICE. 
Yes, he talks too bold. 
3RD VOICE. 
 
And false as brass ! 
ALESSANDRO.  They’re just a pack of mules. 
1ST VOICE. 
 
We’ll have the truth, by God ! 
2ND VOICE.  Ay !  we’ll tear down the prison !  Kill him ! 
ALESSANDRO. 
 
Devilish odd 
That truth as sharp as steel and glittering as gold, 
So hard to tell, receives no credit when it’s told. 
Body of Jesus, Governor !  I think you must 
Have earned Cassandra’s doom, betraying some God’s 
trust ! 
1ST VOICE.  Where’s the Princess ? 
2ND VOICE. 
Let’s see her !