Page:Castruccio Castrucani.pdf/61

60

Has stood him in good stead; he came prepared, Knowing the welcome that he was to meet. Your uncle and his friends are now in prison, Condemn'd to death.

The Count Arrezi prisoner!

Aye—and his shadow falls upon his grave, He stands so near to it. Just now I pass'd Beside the market-place; the midnight rang With the loud hammer's blow, and with the saw Grating its sullen pathway through the wood Which is to raise the scaffold for to-morrow. Arrezi there will be the first to die.

Not if my life can ransom his. 'Twas I Who urged the old man on—with sneer and threat I silenced his misgivings.

What can we do?

Rather than let that old man die, I'd kneel Before the Castrucani, and give up My head as fitting ransom.

You would but only add another victim. We have no choice but flight.

I will not fly, Though I but stay'd to share Arrezi's scaffold.