Cesario. Speak!

Lucetta. There—while she knelt— Stabbed her, and fled.

Cesario. Which way?

[Lucetta points to the stairs. He dashes off in pursuit.

Duke. All-seeing God! Where were thine eyes, or else thy justice? Dead? O, never dead!

Lucio. Ay, Duke, push God aside, As I push thee. I have the better right: I killed her—I. O never pass, sweet soul, Till thou hast drunk a shudder of this wretch, Thy brother, playmate, murderer!

Duke. Wine! bring wine—

Regent (as the wine is brought and revives her). Flower, he will crush thee—but the bliss, the bliss! I swim in bliss. What ... Lucio? Where's my lord? Dear, bring him: he was here awhile and held me. Say he must hold, or the light air will lift And bear me quite away.

[Re-enter Cesario. In one hand he carries his sword, in the other a dagger.

Lucio. Cesario! What! Is that devil escaped? To think—to think I drank her kisses!—What? Where is she?

Cesario. Dead. I raised the cry: the people pointed after; Ran with me, ravening. Just this side the bridge She heard our howl and turned—drew back the dagger Red with our lady's blood, then drove it home Clean to her own black heart.

Regent. God pardon her! I would what blood of mine clung to the blade Might mix with hers and sweeten it for mercy.

Lucio. Will you forgive her? Then forgive not me!

Regent. Dear Lucio!—You'll not pluck away your hand This time? Hush! Where's Cesario?... Friend, farewell. Where lies the body?

Cesario. Sooth, madonna, I flung it To the river's will, to roll it down to sea Or cast on muddy bar, for dogs to gnaw.

Regent. The river? Ah! How strong the river rolls! Hold me, my lord—

Duke. Love, love, I hold you

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