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Scene III.—A Hall in one of the Palaces.

Leoni, and several Nobles.

1st noble.

I would you had been with us yesterday.

LEONI.

To-day will serve us better; for to-day

Has yesterday's experience.

1st noble.

We were wrong

To trust the people and the light of day;
Now secret night is round our enterprise,
And we will be as secret.

LEONI.

All now rests

Upon your own good swords and with yourselves.

2nd noble.

If that the matter rested with my sword

I were content—that were a soldier's part.
Midnight assassins are we now!

LEONI.

Actions are ever judged by their success;

To-morrow sees us paramount in Lucca;
The doom to-night dealt on the Castrucani
Will then be rightful justice

1st noble.

We have no choice: it is his fall or ours,

And I, for one, care little if my sword
Or if my dagger end an enemy.