DUKE: The Cardinal!
Men follow my creed, and they gabble his.
I do not think much of the Cardinal;
Although he is a holy churchman, and
I quite admit his dulness. Well, sir, from now
We count you of our household.

He holds out his hand for GUIDO to kiss. GUIDO starts back in horror, but at a gesture from COUNT MORANZONE, kneels and kisses it.

We will see
That you are furnished with such equipage
As doth befit your honour and our state.

GUIDO: I thank your Grace most heartily.

DUKE: Tell me again
What is your name?

GUIDO: Guido Ferranti, sir.

DUKE: And you are Mantuan? Look to your wives, my lords,
When such a gallant comes to Padua.
Thou dost well to laugh, Count Bardi; I have noted
How merry is that husband by whose hearth
Sits an uncomely wife.

MAFFIO: May it please your Grace,
The wives of Padua are above suspicion.

DUKE: What, are they so ill-favoured! Let us go,
This Cardinal detains our pious Duchess;
His sermon and his beard want cutting both:
Will you come with us, sir, and hear a text
From holy Jerome?

MORANZONE (bowing): My liege, there are some matters –

DUKE (interrupting): Thou need’st make no excuse for missing mass. Come, gentlemen.

Exit with his suite into Cathedral.

GUIDO (after a pause): So the Duke sold my father;
I kissed his hand.

MORANZONE: Thou shalt do that many times.

GUIDO: Must it be so?

MORANZONE: Ay! Thou hast sworn an oath.

GUIDO: That oath shall make me marble.

MORANZONE: Farewell, boy,
Thou wilt not see me till the time is ripe.

GUIDO: I pray thou comest quickly.

MORANZONE: I will come
When it is time; be ready.

GUIDO: Fear me not.

MORANZONE: Here is your friend; see that you banish him
Both from your heart and Padua.

GUIDO: From Padua,
Not from my heart.

MORANZONE: Nay, from thy heart as well,
I will not leave thee till I see thee do it.

GUIDO: Can I have no friend?

MORANZONE: Revenge shall be thy friend,
Thou need’st no other.

GUIDO: Well, then be it so.

Enter ASCANIO CRISTOFANO.

ASCANIO: Come, Guido, I have been beforehand with you in everything, for I have drunk a flagon of wine, eaten a pasty, and kissed the maid who served it. Why, you look as melancholy as a schoolboy who cannot buy apples, or a politician who cannot sell his vote. What news, Guido, what news?

GUIDO: Why, that we two must part, ASCANIO.

ASCANIO: That would be news indeed, but it is not true.

GUIDO: Too true it is, you must get hence, Ascanio, And never look upon my face again.

ASCANIO: No, no; indeed you do not know me, Guido;
’Tis true I am a common yeoman’s son,
Nor versed in fashions of much courtesy;
But, if you are nobly born, cannot I be
Your serving man? I will tend you with more love
Than any hired servant.

GUIDO (clasping his hand): Ascanio!