And Antonio drank the draught, the wizard looking on with parted lips and with great drops of sweat running from his forehead and thence down his cheeks to his mouth, so that his lips were salt when he licked them. And the Duke, having seen that Lorenzo had his sword ready for Antonio, took his stand by the wizard with the dagger from his belt in his hand. And he cried to Antonio, "Rise." And Antonio rose up. The wizard started a step towards him; but the Duke showed his dagger, and said to Antonio, "Will you go with me to Firmola, Antonio?"
And Antonio answered, "I will go."
"Do you love me, Antonio?" asked the Duke.
"Aye, my lord," answered Antonio.
"Yet you have done many wicked things against me."
"True, my lord," said Antonio.
"Is your mind then changed?"
"It is, my lord," said Antonio.
"Then leap two paces into the air," said the Duke; and Antonio straightway obeyed.
"Go down on your knees and crawl;" and Antonio crawled, smiling secretly to himself.