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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.

Our treasury's low, my lord.

And so is ours, Exhausted by the late vexatious war.

Urged by the Count Castruccio, not ourselves.

It must be paid.

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.

I leave you till to-morrow, when I bring