Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/41

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Why, that 's enough to make it a mere duty

To break her prison-house, and shift her keeping

To titter hands,—say, mine. I'm lord of the town;

None else has right of prison here, but me.

What would you do?

First see if she bears out

Your picture, Serafino; if she do,

Be sure I will not wait outside to mark

Her shadow. Shadows may suit poets; I

Want substance.

She's meat for Bertuccio's master,

Not for Bertuccio. When shall it be?

To-morrow

I 'm a free man! Meet me at midnight, here.

You would not harm her? Only see her face;

You will not have the heart to do her wrong.

What call you "wrong"?—to save so choice a creature

From such a guardian as Bertuccio?

He would have prompted me to play the robber

Of Malatesta's pearl. Let him guard his own!

If he resists, we'll knock him over the sconce;

Let me have that part of the business.