Mortadello

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 !