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CLARICHA (Aside).

I see he is prepared; his eagle eye

Flashes, as, when a boy, he spoke of danger.

Enter Servant.

The banquet waits, my lord.

ARREZI (Aside).

There can be no delay,

1st noble (Aside).

And no misgiving!

ARREZI.

Our banquet's ready. Please you, Count Castruccio,

To lead Bianca?

CASTRUCCIO.

Your pardon, lady, for a brief delay;

Let me look round this hall, I knew it not.

ARREZI.

'Tis never open'd but when some high guest

Honours us with his presence; and we ask
Our ancestors to aid us in his greeting.

CASTRUCCIO.

I like the custom. It is from the dead

The living must their noblest lessons learn;
The dead are as the stars that light the past:
We see how time has honoured them, and hope
Ourselves for equal honour.

1st noble.

True my good lord. (Aside to Arrezi.)

Why dost thou look so scared?

CASTRUCCIO.

The name of every noble ancestor’s

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