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This 'twixt ourselves—I bring the very worst. Castruccio is again the lord of Lucca.

It cannot be.

The people rose and freed him from his prison, Bore him in triumph to the senate-house, And, once among us, all gave way before him.

What! did ye yield, so many as ye were?

What could we do? strong as the angry sea, The people gather'd fiercely at the gates, And many of the younger nobles lean'd Towards his side, chafed at the thoughts of peace Bought by submission to the Florentines.

Cowards and traitors to themselves. (Aloud.) And now What is the course ye mean to follow?

Our power is broken, and we must submit.

Is it the head of our most noble house Who names submission to the Castrucani?

What can we do? he's brave and eloquent. His sword subdues the Florentines, his tongue Enchants the people!

What can ye do?—resist.