Mortadello

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.