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14
CASTRUCCIO CASTROCANI.


The treaty ready for your signatures,
And will receive your homage and your oaths.—[Exit.

1st noble.

Homage and tribute—these are bitter words!


2nd noble.

Less bitter than the Castrucani's sway.


1st noble.

To-day must fix his fate. What is his doom?


SEVERAL NOBLES.

Death!


ARREZI.

Rather say exile.


2nd noble.

Yes, and one week sees him again our chief!


ARREZI.

He may be kept strict prisoner.


2nd noble.

And keep perpetual terror o'er our heads.


SEVERAL NOBLES.

His scaffold is our safety.


ARREZI.

We dare not raise that scaffold.


SEVERAL NOBLES.

Dare not!


ARREZI.

The citizens would rise in his defence.


1st noble.

Not with our swords to teach them what they are.


2nd noble.

Why risk a tumult that we well may spare,

While Lucca has a dagger?