'Ah!' murmured the Duke, 'the frog-ox: see us tickle his self-puffery.'
He feigned to catch sight all at once of Montano. His eyes opened wide in astonishment: he held out his hands.
'What!' he cried, 'the man of visions! the very man! Come hither, old friend. I was but now speaking of thee.'
His guards permitting him, Montano sullenly mounted the steps, and stood facing the tyrant. His arms hung very plainly fettered before him; but the other never took his languid, smiling eyes from his face.
'Galeazzo,' said the scholar, harsh and quick, 'I did not write the epigrams; but no matter. You seek to make an example; I submit myself. It is the despot's part to lay hands on order and sobriety. Despatch, then. Thou wilt serve my ends better than thine own. Every blow to freedom is a link gone from thy mail.'
The Duke listened to him as if in bland wonder.
'Epigrams! An example!' he exclaimed. 'O, surely there is some mistake here.'
The thick brows of the prisoner contracted over his leaden eyes. He set his teeth, breathing between them. Galeazzo appealed to Lascaris:—
'Know'st aught of this?'
The Greek shook his head ineffably, licking his lips.