ELSA enters.
DUKE. Tell what you know.
ELSA. I swear by God, our righteous judge, that I have seen the prince and Lady Swanwhite fully dressed and with a sword between them.
DUKE. One for, and one against—two not germane.—I leave it to the judgment of the Lord!—The flowers will speak for him.
ELSA. [Enters] My gracious master—noble lord!
DUKE. What do you know?
ELSA. I know my gracious mistress innocent.
DUKE. O, child—so you know that! Then teach us how to know it too.
ELSA. When I am saying only what is true——
DUKE. No one believes it! But when Signe tells untruth, we must believe!—And what does Swanwhite say herself? Her forehead's purity, her steady glance, her lips' sweet innocence—do they not speak aloud of slander? And "slander" is the verdict of a father's eye.—Well then—Almighty God on high shall give his judgment, so that human beings may believe!