University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A magnificent Hall in Durazzo's Palace. The Duke of Genoa, with Guards and other Attendants in the center; Fulvia, &c. on one side; Durazzo, Camillo, and Julia, with their Attendants, on the other.
FULVIA.
I have obey'd the summons of your grace.
Yet when I see the seat of justice chang'd
From the grave bench, where once she us'd to frown,
Even to the chambers of my adversaries,
I look for such an issue, as hereafter
Will make this novelty no precedent;
But to be shun'd, and noted for the abuse.

DUKE.
The sanctity of justice is the heart
Of him who judges; place makes no distinction.
And when the veil of passion is remov'd,
When with clear eyes you see the good we mean you,
Yourself, I know, will thank us for this course;
And own our swerving from the common form
Was kind to all concern'd.

FULVIA.
May it prove so!

JULIA.
You see me here, brought for so strange a cause,
I can but with astonishment look round,
Nor know I whom to oppose, or what to answer.
'Tis hard to make my affliction my offence;
And the black deed which saddens all my days,—
The source, the bitter source, of every sorrow,—
The ground to load me with reproach and shame.
Yet here am I accus'd,—I cannot speak it,—
Accus'd of what?—To say, I am innocent,
Would be such mean, such base indignity
To the great spirit of my exalted love,
I'd rather burst with the proud sense of scorn,
And leave my silence to your worst surmise,
Than utter such a word.

DUKE.
O! 'tis too much.

DURAZZO.
You are appris'd, my lord, with what intent
My daughter secretly this morning sought
A meeting with Mentevole?

DUKE.
I know it;
And grieve to find so gentle an intent
Has met such hard construction from good Fulvia.

FULVIA.
Reserve, my lord, your pity till we ask it,
And counsel ignorance. We know our purpose.

DUKE.
As we our duty. And behold the man
First in our present search.

[takes his seat.