76 
MORTADELLO 
 
ABBESS.  You goggle-eyed gudgeon !  I will tear your guts out 
yet. 
GOVERNOR.  Good Sandro, calm the lady ! 
ABBESS. 
 
I am calm !  Don’t fret ! 
What, gyve and rack for that sweet saint ! 
GOVERNOR. 
 
She asks for it ! 
Can’t you leave well alone ? 
ABBESS. 
Oh, sophistry is wit 
With callous dogs ! 
GOVERNOR. 
I serve the dogs ;  my prisoners 
Are no more slaves than I ! 
ABBESS. 
Prince of philosophers ! 
Here’s Mortadello ! 
A CITIZEN. 
Now, my Governor ! 
[He throws a knife, THE GOVERNOR ducks and it just 
misses his head. 
GOVERNOR.  [Pointing to the assassin.]  Shoot that man ! 
[Two soldiers advance with cross-bows, and loose 
on him.  He falls. 
ABBESS.  Murderer !  Murderer !  Murderer ! 
GOVERNOR. 
 
Sandro, can 
You quiet this madwoman ? 
ABBESS. 
Mad !  no wonder if I am 
My convent forced ! 
CITIZENS. 
Oh no ! 
ABBESS. 
 
By God and by His Lamb, 
That filthy hunchback and his sbirri burst the gate 
With powder. 
A CITIZEN. 
Yes, it’s true ! 
ALL.  
O infamous ! 
ABBESS. 
The State.