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Scene II.—The Senate-house.

Count Gonsalvi, Count Arrezi, Nobles, Attendants, &c.

GONSALVI (taking a seat)

Henceforward Florence claims your fealty;

She will secure you in all ancient rights,
Immunity, and privilege: her sword
Will stand between ye and your enemies.
For this a yearly tribute must be paid
Of twenty thousand florins.

2nd noble.

Our treasury's low, my lord.

GONSALVI.

And so is ours,

Exhausted by the late vexatious war.

2nd noble.

Urged by the Count Castruccio, not ourselves.

GONSALVI.

It must be paid.

2nd noble.

Well, well,

The goldsmiths round our market-place are rich.
The citizens, too, better being poor,
As more obedient, right that they should pay
The penalty of their rebellious spirit.

GONSALVI (rising).

I leave you till to-morrow, when I bring